21
Aug
How Invisalign treatment time compares to braces, explained
Crooked, crowded, and gapped teeth can be embarrassing. You may avoid smiling due to feeling self-conscious about the look of your teeth. Misaligned teeth are also challenging to clean. When food becomes stuck in hard-to-floss spaces, it creates a breeding ground for the bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease.
You can restore your confidence and support your health with modern Invisalign® orthodontic treatment at Downtown Dental Services in Cleveland, Ohio. Patients often ask Dr. Tony Lu and our team about how this discreet (clear) and removable orthodontic option compares to braces. We’ve answered some of those questions below.
Actual Patient Results
Is Invisalign® faster than braces?
There are two different ways to approach this question:
- One, this alternative to non-removable, silver-colored metal braces only requires periodic “check-ins.” It generally does not require as many visits during treatment as braces, because the aligners that are worn to straighten your teeth do not need to be routinely adjusted by Dr. Lu. During these visits, Dr. Lu can make sure treatment is progressing nicely and can provide you with the next set of aligners to move your plan forward.
- Second, the results from treatment compare favorably to traditional braces. Consider how the American Association of Orthodontists reports that the average patient wears braces for between 12 and 24 months. Here at Downtown Dental Services, the average Invisalign® patient treated by Dr. Lu can achieve their goal smile within 6-15 months.
Could I straighten my teeth in six months with Invisalign®?
Possibly. There are many factors that can affect your total treatment time. You will need to schedule a consultation at our office in downtown Cleveland. During this visit, Dr. Lu will look at how your teeth are spaced, as well as how the upper and lower teeth come together when your mouth is closed (your “bite”). He also evaluates the extent or severity of bite problems, crowding, and other spacing issues.
If you are among those individuals with slight overlapping, minor crowding, or small gaps, treatment may be completed in just six months. This is because relatively minor tooth movement is required. If we need to move your teeth more or correction is needed for an overbite, underbite, or other imbalances, you should generally expect a longer treatment timeline. How you wear and care for your aligners can also affect when you will see your results and ultimately finish treatment.
If you are among those individuals with slight overlapping, minor crowding, or small gaps, treatment may be completed in just six months. This is because relatively minor tooth movement is required. If we need to move your teeth more or correction is needed for an overbite, underbite, or other imbalances, you should generally expect a longer treatment timeline. How you wear and care for your aligners can also affect when you will see your results and ultimately finish treatment.
Is Invisalign® faster than braces?
There are two different ways to approach this question:
- One, this alternative to non-removable, silver-colored metal braces only requires periodic “check-ins.” It generally does not require as many visits during treatment as braces, because the aligners that are worn to straighten your teeth do not need to be routinely adjusted by Dr. Lu. During these visits, Dr. Lu can make sure treatment is progressing nicely and can provide you with the next set of aligners to move your plan forward.
- Second, the results from treatment compare favorably to traditional braces. Consider how the American Association of Orthodontists reports that the average patient wears braces for between 12 and 24 months. Here at Downtown Dental Services, the average Invisalign® patient treated by Dr. Lu can achieve their goal smile within 6-15 months.
Could I straighten my teeth in six months with Invisalign®?
Possibly. There are many factors that can affect your total treatment time. You will need to schedule a consultation at our office in downtown Cleveland. During this visit, Dr. Lu will look at how your teeth are spaced, as well as how the upper and lower teeth come together when your mouth is closed (your “bite”). He also evaluates the extent or severity of bite problems, crowding, and other spacing issues.
If you are among those individuals with slight overlapping, minor crowding, or small gaps, treatment may be completed in just six months. This is because relatively minor tooth movement is required. If we need to move your teeth more or correction is needed for an overbite, underbite, or other imbalances, you should generally expect a longer treatment timeline. How you wear and care for your aligners can also affect when you will see your results and ultimately finish treatment.
If you are among those individuals with slight overlapping, minor crowding, or small gaps, treatment may be completed in just six months. This is because relatively minor tooth movement is required. If we need to move your teeth more or correction is needed for an overbite, underbite, or other imbalances, you should generally expect a longer treatment timeline. How you wear and care for your aligners can also affect when you will see your results and ultimately finish treatment.
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Why does how I wear and care for my aligners matter so much?
Your aligners are the appliances that “do” the straightening. Unlike brackets and wires that are attached to the teeth, these aligners can be removed by you at any time. With the ease of this process also comes patient responsibility. You must keep the aligners in your mouth at all times, day and night. They should only be removed when you are drinking beverages besides water, snacking, eating meals, brushing/flossing, and cleaning the appliances themselves. Since the aligners place gentle pressure on the teeth to gradually move them, a failure to consistently wear these devices can delay your treatment.
If you are having problems adjusting to your aligners, contact Downtown Dental Services right away. Dr. Lu can discuss your concerns, evaluate your mouth and aligners, and make adjustments as needed. We can also provide you with guidance to ease the transition to wearing your aligners. It typically doesn’t take very long for patients to forget the aligners are in their mouths!
If you have questions about any stage of Invisalign® treatment, Dr. Lu welcomes the opportunity to answer them during an appointment at our office in Cleveland, OH. Call (216) 616-1155 to speak with a member of our team and to schedule your visit today.
If you are having problems adjusting to your aligners, contact Downtown Dental Services right away. Dr. Lu can discuss your concerns, evaluate your mouth and aligners, and make adjustments as needed. We can also provide you with guidance to ease the transition to wearing your aligners. It typically doesn’t take very long for patients to forget the aligners are in their mouths!
If you have questions about any stage of Invisalign® treatment, Dr. Lu welcomes the opportunity to answer them during an appointment at our office in Cleveland, OH. Call (216) 616-1155 to speak with a member of our team and to schedule your visit today.
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A loving father, husband, and dedicated professional – Dr. Tony Lu is a dentist of immense repute known for his skill, experience, and most importantly his vocation-oriented care and patient-centered ethic. He is a proud alumnus of the Case Western Reserve University where his work and commitment earned him the prestigious recognition of the Dean’s Award.
As a dental professional Dr. Lu takes great interest in patients. He provides individualized care and practices with the view that oral health care should be made available for everyone irrespective of their financial backgrounds. Dr. Lu works hard to enrich patient lives with his dental services.