How Long Do Invisalign® Results Last?

Orthodontic treatment is a long-term investment, and it pays off by giving you straight teeth and a properly aligned bite. Despite the overall permanence of teeth straightening treatments like Invisalign®, everything is constantly shifting, and you’re likely to see some changes over the years, especially if you’re correcting severe crowding or lose teeth following treatment. 

At the dental practice of Dr. Padmaja Yalamanchili in Fairfax, Virginia, teen and adult patients can get customized Invisalign® treatment to create the smile of their dreams. Here’s what you need to know about Invisalign, including how long results last. 

How Invisalign® works 

Much like dental braces, Invisalign applies pressure to the teeth and slowly shifts them into position over time. Where older methods required wires and brackets that had to be manually tightened, the introduction of thermoplastic resin allowed for the creation of SmartTrack®, the proprietary material used in Invisalign trays. 

These trays are custom-made to fit your teeth, with each tray shifting you closer towards a perfect smile. As long as you wear them for at least 21-22 hours per day, the flexible plastic will apply the same pressure as traditional braces. This allows them to correct a range of orthodontic problems, including: 

• Over/under/open bites
• Misalignment 
• Crowding 
• Gaps 

More severe orthodontic issues like crossbite and dramatic over- and underbites might require some time in traditional braces before Invisalign can be used to fully straighten the teeth. 

How long results lasts 

Ideally, Invisalign treatment lasts the rest of your life — with one caveat. Teeth shifting after orthodontic treatment is a common phenomenon. Since invisible aligners reposition your teeth by exerting pressure well above the root, you might see slippage back towards the former position over time after your treatment is complete. 

Other factors can cause your teeth to shift, including tooth loss, aging, gum disease, and bruxism, also known as teeth grinding. The best way to avoid shifting is to wear a custom night retainer and maintain good oral hygiene. 

The good thing about clear aligners is that you can get them at any point in life, even if you’ve had previous orthodontic treatment. This means you can easily correct any drift by simply wearing new aligners for a period of time, and they’re unobtrusive and invisible enough that it’s not as much effort as returning to braces. 

If you start wearing a retainer at night immediately following your treatment, you shouldn't have to worry about your results lasting. The retainer will prevent shifting and keep your new smile looking as amazing as ever.

To learn more about Invisalign and see if it’s right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Yalamanchili by calling 703-213-5312, or book an appointment online.