How long does it take Invisalign to close a gap?
Invisalign takes around 3 to 6 months to close gaps in simple cases and 12 to 18 months or longer in more complex cases. Treatment time varies depending on the size of the gap, tooth position, bite, and whether additional tooth movements are needed.
Your dentist will only be able to give a realistic timescale after assessing your teeth and planning the movement needed.
If you are considering clear aligners, you can learn more about Invisalign treatment in Pinner here. Or contact us for a free consultation to discuss your options and find out whether Invisalign is right for you.
What Affects How Long Invisalign Takes for Gaps?
The time needed to close a gap with Invisalign depends on several factors.
These include:
- The size of the gap between the teeth
- Whether there is one gap or several spaces
- The position of the front and back teeth
- How the upper and lower teeth bite together
- Whether crowding, overbite or other alignment issues are also present
- How consistently the aligners are worn
- Whether retainers are used properly after treatment
A small gap between the front teeth may be quicker to treat than spacing that involves several teeth or bite changes. In some cases, the whole arch needs to be planned carefully so that closing one gap does not create unwanted spaces elsewhere.
How Fast Can Invisalign Move Teeth?
Invisalign offers a 0.2 mm movement per aligner.
This means that is you have a 2.0 mm gap between the teeth, you’ll have to wait about 3 and a half months for the gap to close.
However, you will have to wear aligners for each tooth.
The entire set of teeth has to be moved by a small distance, so gaps in the back teeth won’t appear.
Most dentists recommend wearing the aligners for three to six months to fix teeth gaps and prevent others from appearing.
The daily recommended amount of time for them to work this fast is between 20 and 22 hours during a day.
In complex cases, you should wear retainers after the treatment.
Sometimes, gaps tend to re-open if you don’t wear adequate retainers.
