Understanding Invisalign Timelines: How Long Does Treatment Really Take?
How Long Does Invisalign Take? A Realistic Timeline
When patients start their treatment journey with Emirates Dental, most of them have one question: “how long until I get my new smile?” While Invisalign is often faster than traditional braces, every patient's treatment is different.
Here are the factors that affect your estimated treatment time, along with what you can expect from your straightening journey with Invisalign.
What Is Invisalign and How Does It Work?
Invisalign uses a series of custom-made, clear plastic trays to gradually move your teeth into their proper position.
The trays are created with 3D scanning and digital treatment planning. After your oral examination, our dentists at Emirates Dental use the iTero scanner to scan your teeth, a process that takes minutes and spares you the messy goop of traditional impressions. We send your scan to our lab, where your treatment from day 1 to your "finished smile" is mapped out.
Factors That Affect How Long Treatment Takes
Case Complexity
The biggest factor determining your timeline is your exact “starting point.” How long it takes to straighten your teeth depends on how aligned they are to begin with.
Easy cases (small gaps or mild crowding) are quick.
Moderate cases may include noticeable crowding or minor bite corrections.
Hard cases (major rotations, deep bites, etc.) need more movement and more trays.
The biggest factor determining your timeline is your exact “starting point.” How long it takes to straighten your teeth depends on how aligned they are at the initial assessment.
Patient Compliance
This is up to you! Each tray needs to be worn for 20–22 hours per day to move your teeth. Failure to wear your trays as instructed can cause “tracking” issues and add weeks or months to your treatment.
Age And Biological Factors
Kids and teenagers often get faster results since their bones are still developing and less “set.” Bones are more “dense” as adults, which means they take longer to remodel (move), but this doesn’t mean you won’t get great results. Surprisingly, factors like metabolism also play a large role.
Attachments And Elastics
Orthodontic attachments (small tooth-colored “bumps” placed on teeth) or rubber bands helps us move your teeth. They are usually placed in more complicated cases that inherently take longer.
Average Amount of Time Invisalign Takes
Case Type | Average Invisalign Treatment Time | Case Description |
|---|---|---|
Simple Cases | 6–8 Months | Small aesthetic issues, such as gaps less than 2mm or minor front tooth crowding, can take less than two seasons. |
Moderate Cases | 12–18 Months | The middle of the road. This includes more crowded, spaced, or misaligned teeth, as well as minor-to-moderate bite issues. |
Complex Cases | 18–24+ Months | Major rotations, overbites, underbites, open bites, or cases with jaw correction and/or extractions will need a longer sequence of aligners to safely and gradually move teeth. |
Your Step-by-Step Invisalign Treatment Timeline
Initial Consultation And Scan
Your Invisalign journey begins at Emirates Dental with a clinical exam and scan. Our iTero scanner captures your teeth's position in 3D in just minutes. You'll also leave with a simulation of your expected "before and after" result!
ClinCheck Treatment Plan And Aligner Manufacturing
Our specialists use ClinCheck software to plan your treatment down to each tooth’s microscopic movement. Once you approve your custom treatment plan, your aligners are 3D printed. Aligner manufacturing and shipping to Dubai will take roughly 2–3 weeks.
Active Treatment – Aligner Wear And Check Ups
Each set of aligners is worn for 7–14 days at a time. Every 6–8 weeks, you’ll return to our clinic to visit with our specialists and collect your next set of trays.
Finishing Up – Additional Aligners (“Refinements”)
Once your current series of aligners is gone, we’ll take one final look at your progress. If any teeth need slight adjustment, we will order a short series of "finishing" aligners. The refinement phase happens to most patients and usually takes 1–3 months.
Retention Phase (Vivera Retainers)
It's important to remember that your new smile isn't permanent until you've worn RETAINERS. You'll wear Vivera retainers full-time for a few months before graduating to nighttime-only wear.
Tips to Stay On Track (and Maybe Even Speed Up Your Treatment!)
Wear your aligners 20–22 hours per day
As mentioned before, consistently wearing your trays is the best way to achieve predictable results.
Don't skip trays or change trays early
Each set of trays is meant to move your teeth a certain distance. Changing too early can offset this progression.
“If my aligners don’t fit, will they still work?”
Bite down on “chewies” to help your aligners “seat” or fit properly. A tight fit means the plastic is exerting enough pressure to move your teeth.
Brush And Floss after every meal
Plaque loves to get trapped between your teeth and your trays. Good oral hygiene is important for allowing your teeth to continue moving.
Consider getting an Acceleration Device like AcceleDent
Orthodontic acceleration devices use vibration to help the bone move faster, often decreasing your total treatment time if used while wearing your aligners.
Common Questions
What is the average amount of time Invisalign takes?
For most patients, Invisalign takes 12 to 18 months, though some cases are seen in as little as 6 months.
Can Invisalign be faster than braces?
Yes! By moving all of your teeth at once and utilising precise digital planning, Invisalign can straighten teeth 30–50% faster than traditional metal braces for mild-to-moderate cases.
What happens if I lose an aligner?
If you lose an aligner, contact us immediately. Do not try to use another tray from a different date! You can usually exchange the tray we mail you for the one you lost.
How long do you wear each tray?
Each tray is worn for 10 days, usually.
Ready to learn your exact treatment timeline?
Visit us at Emirates Dental for a free 3D scan to get your personal estimate on how long your treatment will take!
