How Quickly Do Teeth Move with Invisalign?

Once you have decided to invest in using Invisalign to transform your smile, you will most likely be very excited to start seeing positive results as soon as possible.

Two common questions we get asked all the time are: “How quickly do teeth move with Invisalign?” and “How does Invisalign move teeth?”

These Invisalign clear aligners are designed to use the right amount of force to straighten your teeth.

As you change them every one or two weeks, you will notice your teeth becoming straighter progressively.

Each aligner tray is made to move your teeth very minimally, so you shouldn’t expect changes to happen overnight.

For starters, most patients will start noticing changes to their smile in as little as six weeks after using these clear aligners.

How fast you can see these transformations highly depends on the complexity of your case and the natural state of your smile.

Related: How to Have Fantastic Teeth Without Breaking the Bank

Some people were able to see a major difference in as little as two weeks. Others have said that it took them longer to notice significant changes.

No matter how long it will take before you start seeing good changes, keep in mind that your aligners are working as intended to move the teeth in the right position.

So long as you keep them in, your aligners will work to help you get the straight, beautiful smile you’ve always wanted.

How Does Invisalign Treatment Move Teeth?

Our smiles are constantly changing despite how static they may look when we check ourselves in the mirror.

To get an idea, you can think of teeth as a construction site that is constantly being worked on.

Your teeth are dynamic, and they shift around because the jawbone, cementum, and periodontal ligament all react to pressure changes in the mouth.

When a person bites down, this results in tension and compression, which are then delivered to the ligament through many protein fibers.

Such tension results in the production of cementum in the bone.

Meanwhile, compression is the dissolution of cementum and bone.

Both actions help in maintaining balance and keep our teeth in position.

With Invisalign, the treatment works by using the natural processes that occur in the mouth.

The aligners slowly gather the tension and compression forces, manipulating them, so they can gently reposition the teeth over time.

How Much Do Teeth Move with Invisalign Each Week?

Generally, you will be provided a set of Invisalign aligners every two weeks until your custom treatment has been completed.

Each set you get is capable of moving the teeth .25mm within the first few days of wearing them.

Although that may sound amazing, it is vital to understand that this amount only accounts for the movement of the periodontal ligament most of the time. It does not include bone movement.

How Long Does It Take Invisalign To Work?

Bone movement is necessary for the teeth to be repositioned correctly since the bone is responsible for holding the teeth in their new position.

Furthermore, it can take as long as two weeks for ligament fibers to provide sufficient cementum to attach the bone to the new alignment.

That is why people typically need to wear their Invisalign aligners for at least two weeks before they can start seeing results.

How Do I Know If My Invisalign Is Working?

Throughout your Invisalign treatment, your dentist will provide you with new aligner trays every one or two weeks to ensure that the teeth are moving continuously to the right position.

Each new Invisalign set should make your smile straighter than it was a few weeks before.

To check if your Invisalign aligners are working, you can try taking photos of your teeth before you receive your new set of trays.

Putting these images side-by-side should give you a good idea of the changes that are happening within your mouth.

Another great technique to keep track of your progress and stay motivated is by using remote monitoring systems.

There are apps today that let you use computer analysis to check the fit of your Invisalign aligners and let you know whether they are moving or not.

It may even help accelerate the treatment since it will provide tips on when is the right time to move to your next aligner tray. This can be useful in progressing through your aligners based on your unique situation.

You can probably help expedite the process of your Invisalign treatment, particularly when you are committed to wearing your aligners the proper way.

How Can I Make My Teeth Move Faster with Invisalign?

Most people who are experienced in using Invisalign will call their aligner trays Invisalign braces.

Referring to the aligners in this way is accurate since both products are made by the same brand and intended to fix imperfect smiles.

It is also reasonable to call Invisalign aligners braces since they move teeth the same way that traditional braces do.

Since the goal of both conventional braces and Invisalign aligners is to put teeth in the right position over time, it is not intended as an overnight solution.

Related: Choosing the Best Dental Veneers for Your Face Shape

With that said, people who want to make their teeth move faster with Invisalign can expedite the process by wearing their aligners 22 hours per day, as recommended. The same cannot be said for those who use conventional braces.

Conclusion

Invisalign aligners can take several weeks before people can notice significant changes to their smiles.

Most people can start seeing transformations in as little as six weeks while others can take longer.

The overall Invisalign treatment can take about twelve months on average for all your teeth to be in the right position.

You shouldn’t be worried if you’re not seeing the results you want right away. Some people can take more time for their changes to show compared to others.

Sometimes the differences can also be quite discreet at the start of the treatment.

As long as you are wearing your aligners the proper way and using your new trays according to schedule, your Invisalign treatment will work as intended.

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Elements Dental Spa Family Dentistry offers a variety of dental care services and treatments in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Led by Dr. Cecilia L. Luong, her team of dentists has been assisting clients with different teeth, gum, and mouth problems.