How Long Does Invisalign Take for Crowded Teeth?

About one-third of American adults don't like to smile because of the way their teeth look.

Crooked teeth don't just lower people's confidence. They can also get in the way of chewing or make speaking difficult. However, if you have crooked teeth, you aren't stuck with them forever.

Investing in Invisalign treatment can transform your smile.

But how long does Invisalign take to straighten crooked teeth? Are they any faster than braces? We've put this guide together to help answer those questions.

So let's get started.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Everyone's teeth are different, so you won't know exactly how long you'll have to use Invisalign until you meet with your dentist.

On average though, it takes about 12 months for Invisalign to straighten teeth.

But again, this is just a rough estimate. Your Invisalign treatment might take longer if you:

You Have Crowded Teeth

Since crowded teeth are closer together than they should be (sometimes even overlapping), it will take longer for Invisalign to get them into the right positions. You can expect crowded teeth to add at least six months to your treatment. However, they might slow the process down even more.

Your dentist may also recommend additional treatment, such as headgear, if you have a serious case.

You Have a Gap in Your Teeth

Gaps don't take as long to fix as crowded teeth, but they will add some time to your treatment. Invisalign can fix a small gap in about eight weeks. If you have a large gap in your mouth, it may take a bit longer to fill.

You'll also have to make sure you wear your retainer properly (as often as your dentist recommends) when you finish your Invisalign treatment. Otherwise, the gaps may reform again.

Does It Take Longer to Straighten Your Teeth If You're an Adult?

Age doesn't make a much of a difference when it comes to straightening your teeth. It won't take any longer to straighten your teeth if you're an adult as opposed to a child.

In fact, it often works the other way around. Invisalign may take longer for teenagers because they may not wear the trays as often as they should. This can slow the entire process down.

However, if you wear your Invisalign trays when you're supposed to wear them, age won't impact the timeline of your treatment.

Is Invisalign any better than braces?

There is an easy answer to this question, and that easy answer is yes. Invisalign is a better treatment than braces for most people.

Of course, depending on the condition of your teeth and how much work you need, braces might make more sense for a few people, but most of the time, Invisalign is a better option.

Why?

Here are a few reasons.

Invisalign Is Faster

Invisalign can straighten most teeth in about 12 months. Braces, on the other hand, can take closer to two years.

Now, this is just an estimate. Braces might take as little as six months in some cases, but that only happens if the patient's teeth don't need a lot of work.

Invisalign is almost always faster than braces.

Invisalign Is Easier

Invisalign is also a lot more convenient than braces.

For example, you can take out the Invisalign trays every time you eat, meaning you don't have to avoid certain foods. You can keep eating anything you want, provided you clean your teeth properly before putting your trays back in again.

You don't have to worry about getting food stuck in your braces either. This also makes brushing your teeth much easier. After all, you don't have to spend extra time brushing around brackets and under wires.

This means you'll be able to keep your teeth cleaner than you might be able to do with braces. Since Invisalign doesn't have anything stuck to your teeth, you don't have to worry about ending up with stains on your teeth when you're done with treatment.

Invisalign also doesn't hurt as much as normal braces.

While your teeth will still feel sore from time to time (this is normal), you won't have to deal with wires stabbing into the back of your cheeks or brackets creating sores on the inside of your mouth.

This makes Invisalign a more comfortable treatment choice.

Invisalign Gives You More Confidence

Braces get the job done, but they're bulky and are often unattractive colors. No one wants to walk into the office with their mouth full of metal.

When you wear Invisalign, it doesn't look like there's anything on your teeth at all. In other words, you can go through your normal workday and other responsibilities without broadcasting to the world you're straightening your teeth.

In fact, most people probably won't even notice.

This can be a major confidence boost for people. You can show off your smile without worrying about how you'll look.

So how long does Invisalign take to straighten crooked teeth?

It depends on the person. However, it usually takes about 12 months to finish treatment. If your teeth don't need a lot of work, it might only take a few months.

Are you interested in getting Invisalign treatment?