Understanding How Long Invisalign Takes
Some tooth movements are simple, others are tricky. Here is what that means for your Invisalign timeline, and the one factor that matters most.
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
| From | To | |
|---|---|---|
| A little (minor fixes) | 3 months | 6 months |
| A medium amount | 6 months | 18 months |
| A lot (complex issues) | 18 months | 24+ months |
What Makes Some Cases Take Longer?
Different problems call for different kinds of tooth movement, and some are harder than others. Here is what to expect for each, along with a realistic timeframe.
Correcting Gaps between teeth (spacing) with Invisalign
Usually 6 to 18 months
Gaps appear when there is extra space in the mouth, whether it is one gap or several. Invisalign gently brings the teeth together to close them.
- Small gap (under 2mm): 6–9 months
- Medium gap (2–4mm): 9–15 months
- Multiple or larger gaps: 15–18+ months
Gaps cannot be rushed, moving teeth too fast can damage the roots or unbalance the bite, so movement is slow and controlled. Gaps often come alongside a deep bite, which adds a few steps. At your first visit we use 3D scanning to map your gaps and give you an accurate timeline.
Correcting Crooked or overlapping teeth (crowding) with Invisalign
Usually 6 to 24 months
Crowding is the most common reason people choose Invisalign. It happens when teeth do not have enough room, so they overlap, twist or push against each other.
- Mild crowding: 6–12 months
- Medium crowding: 12–18 months
- Severe crowding: 18–24+ months
Twisted teeth are slow to move — a tooth can only rotate about 1 to 2 degrees per aligner. Sometimes a little polishing between teeth (known as IPR) is used to create space, and in serious cases a tooth may need to be removed first. Twisted back teeth such as premolars and canines are the hardest to straighten and often need small tooth-coloured attachments to help the aligners grip.
Correcting Deep bite with Invisalign
Usually 12 to 24 months
A deep bite is when the top front teeth cover the bottom front teeth too much; in severe cases the lower teeth are barely visible. It is one of the trickier problems for Invisalign, because we need to ease the front teeth up into the gum, lift the back teeth slightly to open the bite, and do it all without straining the jaw joint.
- Mild deep bite: 12–18 months
- Moderate to severe: 18–24+ months
Your aligners may include small built-in bite ramps to hold the jaw in the right position. If a deep bite has worn your teeth over time, some repair work may be needed once Invisalign is finished, and we will talk you through that.
Correcting Open bites with Invisalign
Usually 12 to 20 months
An open bite is when the back teeth touch but the front teeth leave a gap, even with the mouth closed. It can make biting, speaking and smiling harder. Open bites usually come from habits like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, or from the way the jaw developed.
- Mild open bite: 12–15 months
- Moderate open bite: 15–20 months
- Severe open bite: may need jaw surgery alongside Invisalign
Invisalign works best for habit-related open bites. These cases are especially sensitive to aligner wear — skip hours and the teeth can slide back, so sticking to 22 hours a day really matters here.
Correcting Crossbites with Invisalign
Usually 12 to 24+ months
Normally the upper teeth sit slightly outside the lower teeth. A crossbite is when some upper teeth sit on the inside instead, and it can occur at the front, the back, or both sides.
- Back-teeth crossbite: 12–18 months
- Front-teeth crossbite: 6–18 months
- Both sides: 18–24 months
Crossbites need attachments so the aligners can push teeth the right way. Left untreated they can lead to uneven jaw growth, worn teeth and jaw pain, so earlier treatment is generally simpler. Getting an accurate diagnosis early makes a real difference.
Tilted smile (dental cant) with Invisalign
Usually 12 to 24+ months
A dental cant is when the smile line is not level and one side sits higher than the other. You might spot it in photos. It can come from teeth sitting at different heights or from the jaw bones growing unevenly.
- Minor cant: 12–18 months
- Significant cant: 18–24+ months
- Jaw-level cant: surgery combined with Invisalign
Invisalign can correct tooth-level cants by raising teeth on one side and lowering them on the other. Jaw-level cants usually need surgery. These asymmetries are easy to miss by eye, which is why our 3D digital scanning is so useful for picking them up.
Other Things That Affect Your Invisalign® Timeline
Even with the same problem, two people can finish at different times. Here is what else plays a part:
How much you wear your aligners
This is the big one. Less than 20 to 22 hours a day means slower results, sometimes by months.
Refinements
Most people need at least one extra set of aligners to fine-tune the finish. This is completely normal and adds roughly 2 to 6 months.
Keeping your attachments intact
Those small tooth-coloured dots help the aligners do their work. If one comes off, have it repaired quickly, because delays add up.
Your age
Younger jaws respond a little faster. Adult bone is denser, so treatment can take slightly longer.
Attending your appointments
Regular reviews let us catch small issues early. Missing them can let problems go unnoticed and add time later.
What Happens When You're Done?
The hard work is behind you, but there is one lasting habit: you will need to wear a retainer at night, long term, to hold your teeth in place.
Without one, teeth slowly drift back. Dental at Joondalup offer:
Vivera retainers
Removable, made by Invisalign, clear and comfortable
Fixed retainers
A thin wire bonded behind the teeth, completely hidden
Both combined
For more complex cases
Invisalign Timeline FAQs
How long does Invisalign take for mild crowding?
Usually 6 to 12 months, provided you wear your aligners consistently every day.
Is Invisalign faster than braces?
For many mild to moderate cases it can be, and treatment is often more comfortable. Your assessment will give you a realistic comparison for your own case.
What happens if I don't wear my aligners enough?
Treatment slows down and teeth may not track as planned, which can add months and sometimes extra refinements.
Does Invisalign take longer for adults than teenagers?
Slightly, because adult bone is denser. Consistent wear still makes the biggest difference at any age.
Find Out Your Invisalign Timeline at Dental at Joondalup
The only way to know for certain is a proper assessment and 3D scan. At Dental at Joondalup we map your teeth in full 3D — no impressions, no mess — then build a digital simulation that shows exactly how your teeth will move and gives you a realistic timeline before you commit to anything.
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