Through a series of aligners, your teeth gradually move into position by exerting gentle pressure. You are given new aligners every few weeks throughout your treatment. Treatment times vary depending on your specific bite issues and cosmetic goals.

Invisalign aligners fit over your teeth. With gentle and gradual pressure, the series of aligners move your teeth to different positions. By wearing each set of aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day and changing to a new set of aligners every 1 to 2 weeks, your teeth shift into place according to your specific treatment plan. The aligners can be removed when eating, brushing your teeth, or playing sports. However, you must wear them when you are sleeping.

Based on your specific needs, your dentist determines exactly how long your treatment will take. On average, Invisalign treatment time is 12 to 18 months. If your case is simple and doesn’t require a lot of tooth movement, it could be as short as six months. If you have a more complex case such as crowded teeth, the treatment time could be 24 months or slightly longer.

According to the Consumer Guide for Dentistry, the national average for Invisalign is $3,000-$5,000. The cost is also dependent on the length and complexity of the treatment plan. Contact us, your local Invisalign dentist in Morrisville, North Carolina for an approximate cost for your individual treatment plan.

Besides the appearance, there are several differences between Invisalign and braces. The main difference between the two methods is the technique used to shift teeth. Braces use metal brackets and high tech wires inside the mouth during treatment to reposition teeth. Invisalign uses a series of clear custom aligning trays that are changed every week or two to move teeth. There are benefits and challenges with each method.