Before embarking on any orthodontic journey, you will most likely be itching to know when the journey will be over. Whether it be braces or Invisalign, you will want to know how long you will have to wear the devices.

There are many benefits to Invisalign over traditional braces. For starters, Invisalign is an almost invisible alternative to traditional braces. It may seem superficial, but when you wear braces people could notice the braces before any other feature and, thus, know you mainly by the wires on your mouth. With Invisalign, your dental care will remain between you and your orthodontist. People will only be able to notice the Invisalign aligners if they examine your mouth closely.

On top of its superior appearance, Invisalign also is more comfortable and less painful than traditional braces. You are able to remove your aligners while eating, which makes the process a lot easier. Possibly the best benefit to Invisalign is that it can actually take less time than traditional braces. Braces generally take at least 2 years, while Invisalign can have your teeth looking perfect in 12 to 18 months.

Keep in mind that this is an average number. Some traditional braces are kept on for up to 4 years or even longer, and some are only kept on for 1 year. Invisalign varies as well, depending on the amount of movement your teeth have to make. You are required to keep your aligners at all times, unless you are eating or brushing your teeth. You should keep your eating periods within 2 to 4 hours per day so that you will be wearing your aligners for 20 to 22 hours each day. If you wear your Invisalign aligners for less time than this, they will not be as effective. This will hinder their effectiveness, causing your teeth to move at a slower rate. When worn properly, Invisalign can work twice as fast as traditional braces do in fixing your teeth.

When wearing Invisalign, the aligners must be changed every 2 weeks or faster in many cases which means that you are constantly improving your teeth at a very rapid rate.  In addition, the Invisalign aligners can move teeth in different directions simultaneously as the plastic aligners make 360-degree contact with each individual tooth.  This is not possible with braces as the movement of the teeth is guided by a wire that cannot move each tooth in a separate direction.  The benefit to Invisalign adjustments is that they do not require a visit. All you have to do is swap out your aligners. Check-ups are still recommended every 6 weeks. Invisalign aligners do not impose any food restrictions as long as you are eating within 2 to 4 hours. This means you are free to enjoy popcorn, taffy, and all of the other foods that are banned from those who wear traditional braces. Coffee and soda will stain your aligners, so you should be very diligent in brushing your teeth after drinking these or eating anything similar that could stain your aligners.

Invisalign is more comfortable overall, as the metal brackets and wires are not poking and scraping the inside of your mouth at all times. With the smooth plastic of Invisalign, there is no need to fool with wax and other frustrating solutions.

If you are interested in Invisalign, please contact us for more information.