How Long Does It Take Invisalign to Close a Gap?

Gaps between teeth don’t just cause aesthetic issues with your smile. 

When your teeth aren’t properly positioned or have too much space between them, it can affect how well you can chew your food, and even increase the risk of oral health issues such as gum disease or cavities.

If you have gaps between your teeth, Invisalign treatment in Pflugerville may be a great way to fix this concern. But how does Invisalign close a gap, and how long will it take?

Keep reading to find out!

How Invisalign Works

Invisalign is a popular alternative to braces that uses clear aligners made from plastic to reposition the teeth.

Patients will first get a scan of their teeth and your Pflugerville dentist will map out how they should move in order to fix the alignment issue, such as closing a gap. The aligners are created using these scans, so your teeth will follow a very specific path.

The process is more controlled, which is why Invisalign is able to treat many alignment and bite issues so fast. Throughout your treatment, you’ll likely need to wear multiple sets of aligners and switch between them once every 2 weeks.

As you wear the trays, they will put pressure on your teeth, and slowly move them until they reach a more optimal position. 

How Long Does Invisalign Need to Close a Gap?

The Invisalign treatment timeline can depend on a few different factors:

• Case severity: The size of the gap is the first factor that can determine your treatment length. If your teeth are very far apart, it will take longer for Invisalign to move them closer together;
• ‍Treatment response: Some patients’ teeth respond better to Invisalign than others. Unfortunately, you won’t know which type of patient you are until you begin your treatment;
• ‍Patient compliance: Invisalign is much more comfortable than traditional metal braces. But, you do need to wear them every day, for at least 22 hours. If you don’t comply with this key requirement, you may extend your treatment timeline needlessly.

Invisalign can close a gap between teeth as quickly as a few months, or require as much as a year. It’s difficult to know how fast you can expect results without seeing an Invisalign specialist for a consultation and a dental scan.

Once you reach the desired result, remember that you will need to maintain your smile by wearing a retainer. Otherwise, your teeth could move back to their original position.

Find out If Invisalign Is Right for You

If you’re dealing with gaps between your teeth, or other alignment or bite issues, Dr. Moetaz Homsi can help you find out if Invisalign is the right solution for you.

Schedule a consultation at Primavera Dental Group online and stop by to discover your options.

Have more questions? Then call us at (512) 640-8175 for a short chat!