How Long Does It Take Clear Aligners to Work?

Clear aligners, also referred to as invisible braces, can be used to straighten misaligned teeth. Aligners can help both teens and adults. While this problem is usually fixed during childhood, there are cases where adults may end up needing to have the problem corrected. Invisible braces can help to straighten your teeth and give you a great smile.

Clear aligners

Aligners are a series of custom-made tight-fitting mouthpieces that slip over the teeth. With clear aligners, tooth-colored attachments are usually placed on the teeth to help them move the teeth. These dental appliances can be removed for brushing, flossing and eating. The treatment time can vary based on several factors. It usually takes several months for clear aligners to work.

How clear aligners work

Once a dentist or orthodontist eventually decides the ideal way to correct a patient’s bite, a plan for moving the teeth will be made. A dentist or orthodontist will have to plan where the teeth move and the order they will be moved. A patient will be fitted for several versions that will make slight adjustments to move the teeth over the time of treatment. A patient will get new aligners every few weeks. The aligners are made from an acrylic material or clear plastic and they fit tightly over a patient’s teeth.

Most times, the aligners are worn for two to three weeks. A patient is responsible for putting in and removing the aligners. Clear aligners move teeth slowly and gently. These appliances will be used to move the teeth until they reach the desired position. The number of aligners required to fix misaligned teeth varies based on a patient’s orthodontic problem and how much it takes to fix it.

Treatment time

Treatment time with aligners varies depending on how much the teeth need to be rotated or moved. The more crooked the teeth are and the more a person’s bite is off, the longer it will take to straighten the teeth. Most times treatment takes between 10 and 24 months. The treatment time for an adult who had braces as a child can be shorter, especially if the teeth only shifted slightly over the years. Treatment can take just about 10 weeks in that case.

Sometimes, a patient may need a refinement of the teeth using braces because traditional braces are more precise than aligners. This process helps to make other smaller adjustments after the treatment. It may take a few months, which makes the whole process longer. Seeing a dentist or orthodontist for a checkup regularly is recommended.

Make your smile beautiful

If you want to get a better smile, you should get clear aligners. Treatment can take anywhere from 10 to 24 months. In the case of an adult who had braces as a child, it takes a shorter time to straighten teeth. The treatment time varies based on the complexity of a case. The whole process can take more time if a dentist recommends using braces to make other smaller adjustments after treatment. If you are thinking of getting clear aligners, contact your dentist.

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