At Lerner & Lemongello, we feel proud to offer patients from the Palm Beach Gardens area a variety of treatment options to bring out the best in their smile. It pleases us to have the education and training necessary to provide innovative treatments like Invisalign® to teens and adults of all ages. It is understandable that any person who has a desire for a straighter smile is also interested in the timeline of their prospective treatment options. One of the first questions that are asked about Invisalign, as well as braces, is “how long will treatment take?”
Ultimately, the objective of any orthodontic treatment is to straighten the smile. Whether that takes 6 months or 2 years, the result is one that patients love. Still, there is value in being able to minimize the stressors related to treatment. This is what Invisalign does.
You may have heard of some of the details of Invisalign and the clear, plastic aligners involved in straightening crooked teeth. You may know that you can remove aligners to enjoy your favorite foods and that your oral care doesn’t have to change due to the presence of metal fixtures on your teeth. What you may not know is that the length of time you need to wear your aligners is partially up to you.
What You Need to Know about Invisalign
Baby Steps
Just like an orthodontist would do, Drs. Lerner & Lemongello conduct a thorough consultation with patients interested in correcting mild to moderate misalignment. In many cases of overcrowding and bite issues, Invisalign is appropriate. However, patients with more serious malocclusion may obtain better results with traditional braces. When Invisalign is confirmed as a suitable treatment option, we move on to the next step, which is creating a 3D image of your teeth. A mold of your arches is also made. These models are processed in the Invisalign laboratory and made into the series of aligners you will wear throughout treatment.
The Invisalign treatment protocol progresses through the series of aligners in two-week intervals. Every two weeks, new aligners are inserted. These need to be worn at all times other than mealtimes and for oral care. Every six weeks, we will observe teeth and aligners to track the progression of treatment. Following the prescribed protocol for wear, most patients can obtain their desired results within 12 months. However, treatment times can vary from as little as 6 months to as much as 18 months.
See how Invisalign can make your smile-straightening process a breeze. Call our Palm Beach Gardens office at (561) 627-9000.