Understanding the Invisalign Timeline And What Affects It

Here’s a question…Why does Invisalign take longer for some people than others?

After all, you’ve probably talked to friends, family, or that influencer on Instagram who claimed their teeth were ‘fixed in six months’. So, and understandably, you’re surprised when you’re told that your treatment will take 12 months or longer.

Here’s the thing: no two Invisalign journeys are the same, and there are good reasons why your timeline might appear different from someone else's.

At Chesterfield Dentistry, we believe in giving patients realistic expectations, not cookie-cutter answers. So let’s unpack the key factors that affect your Invisalign timeline and why some people finish faster than others.

Case Complexity

This is the big one. The more complex your orthodontic issue, the longer it’s likely to take to correct. Think of it this way, mild spacing or crowding might only take 5-6 months to put right.

Why?

Because there’s less movement involved. Less movement - less time, right?

Now imagine you had a more complex case…Let’s say severe spacing irregularities or a complex bite misalignment. It isn’t unheard of for Invisalign treatment to take 18 months or more, although chances are you’ll fall somewhere between these two parameters.

Just to put this into perspective, Invisalign’s own data suggests that the average treatment time for adult cases is around 12 months, but this is just a benchmark, not a guarantee.

Tip: If your dentist recommends additional steps like, tooth reshaping, extractions, or attachments, don’t forget these may also add time to your treatment, but will ultimately lead to better long-term results.

Conformity

Another key factor that can affect your Invisalign timeline is conformity, or rather, the lack of it! Put it this way, Invisalign only works when it’s on your teeth, so the longer your aligner remains in the mouth, the greater the chance of completing your teeth straightening journey on time. 

This is why your dentist will suggest you wear your aligner for 22 hours a day, every day.

If you’re frequently taking them out for meetings, snacking, or forgetting to put them back in, your treatment will slow down.

Miss a few days here and there, and the delay might be minor. But consistently wearing them for less than 22 hours per day could result in weeks, or even months, of added time.