Straightening your teeth can dramatically improve the look of your smile. It can also upgrade your overall facial aesthetic. Beyond the cosmetic improvements they provide, straight teeth can also improve your oral health and reduce the risk of cavities. If you are considering straightening your teeth, you have likely begun comparing different orthodontic treatments like traditional braces and Invisalign aligners. For those who want results fast, you may wonder, is Invisalign faster than braces? We answer this question below.

 

Is Invisalign Faster than Braces?

Both Invisalign and braces move your teeth into a straighter and more uniform position. However, they achieve this via different methods. Traditional braces use brackets attached to your teeth and connected by wires to shift your teeth into place. Every few weeks, patients with braces will visit their orthodontist to have the wires of their braces tightened. The tightening of the wires will gradually encourage the teeth to move. 

Alternatively, Invisalign moves the teeth by using a series of clear plastic aligners. Patients with Invisalign will change their aligners approximately once every two weeks. The first aligner will be slightly more uniform than your current bite pattern, and each subsequent aligner will be more uniform than the one that came before it. Your teeth will shift to accommodate the shape of the aligners and, over the series, will have shifted to a corrected bite.

In the vast majority of cases, Invisalign is much faster than traditional braces. Invisalign users often get their final results within 6 to 18 months, whereas traditional braces generally take between one to two years to provide final results. Nevertheless, the treatment timeline will be affected by several factors that vary from patient to patient. 

 

Factors That Impact Treatment Timeline

On the whole, Invisalign offers faster results than traditional braces. Still, several factors will impact the treatment timeline.

 

Severity of Your Malocclusion

Minor adjustments are faster and more comfortable to address with Invisalign than traditional braces. However, more complex dental issues will take more time to be corrected and may require specific treatment. Specifically, Invisalign is great for many oral health issues. However, it may not be able to address extremely severe dental issues. With that, traditional braces are better suited for extreme cases. Your dentist will provide you with their recommendation for which treatment is best for your oral health. 

 

Individual Response To Treatment

Some people have more stubborn teeth than others. With that, every person’s teeth move at different speeds. Some respond more quickly than others, which means they will have a faster treatment time. Invisalign is highly effective and a relatively easy process. As long as you consistently wear your aligners, attend your follow-up appointments, and follow your dentist’s instructions, you will notice swift results.

 

Your Commitment To Treatment

The major difference between Invisalign and traditional braces is that the patient can remove Invisalign aligners at any time. Because Invisalign is removable, it takes discipline and consistency to see results. It is necessary to wear the aligners for 20 to 22 hours each day. They should only be taken out when you are consuming something other than water or are completing your daily oral care routine. Adhering to the routine is critical to ensure you stay on your treatment timeline.

 

Attending Your Appointments

Invisalign requires regular dental visits. Your dentist will assess your progress and provide you with a new aligner. Attending your regular appointments is necessary to stay on your treatment timeline. Any deviations ultimately extend the timeline. Working closely with your dentist is key to getting the very best outcome.

 

Getting Invisalign Treatment

The first step in moving forward with Invisalign treatment is setting up an appointment with your dentist. You can share your treatment goals and ask any questions. The dentist can provide you with the best treatment plan. If you have minor dental issues and want Invisalign, it can be a fast and effective option. Be sure to follow your dentist’s instructions to ensure you stay on track. 

If you want to improve the look of your smile, contact the team at Dream Smile today to schedule an appointment!