Invisalign orthodontic treatment uses sets of clear aligners or trays to straighten your teeth. Throughout Invisalign treatment, you will have a metal-free experience. But how many sets of Invisalign trays will you need to straighten your teeth?
How Many Invisalign Trays Will You Need?
The number of Invisalign trays you will need depends on the severity of your tooth misalignment and the complexity of your case. Below are averages for the number of Invisalign trays needed for mild, moderate, and severe cases.
Sets of Invisalign trays need based on the case type
- Very mild to mild movement: Five to seven
- Mild to moderate spacing or crowding: 14 to 26
- Moderate to severe spacing or crowding: 26 to an unlimited number
How Long Is the Average Invisalign Case?
The average Invisalign case is 12 to 18 months, but your case may be shorter or longer depending on the position of your teeth and your goals for your smile.
Average Invisalign treatment time based on the case type
- Very mild to mild: Seven to 15 weeks
- Mild to moderate: 14 to 30 weeks
- Moderate to severe: 20 weeks to more than 12 months
How Often Will You Switch Invisalign Trays?
During Invisalign, you will switch aligners every one to two weeks. And you will wear the trays for 20 to 22 hours daily.
How Do Dentists Determine How Many Invisalign Trays You Need?
Your dentist will determine how many Invisalign trays you need with these steps:
- Take a 3-D digital scan of your teeth
- Use Invisalign technology to plan precise movements for your teeth
- Show you a 3-D model of the movements
- Send your case to the Invisalign lab
- Communicate with Invisalign to finalize your treatment and how many aligners you will need
Conclusion
The number of Invisalign trays you will need depends on the complexity of your case. You can receive as few as five sets of trays for very mild cases—or more than 26 sets for complex issues. After an Invisalign provider scans your teeth and creates a treatment plan, they will give you a close estimate of how many aligners you will need to complete orthodontic treatment.
But regardless of how many trays you need, you will benefit from clear, comfortable braces that most people will not notice.
David Finley, DDS, of Monroe, LA—a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry—sponsors this post.
