How Often Do Invisalign Treatments Exceed 18 Months?

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#1 Post by **Wireless** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 11:48 am

I am approaching trays 25/31(total) and will finish them with about 17 months of treatment. However, it looks like there is going to be more to do as my molars have considerable space between the uppers and lowers - more than the thickness of the trays as my deep bite is corrected.

I'm curious as to how often Invisalign treatment goes on this long as I'm seeing a number of posters noting tray counts over 30.

When I finish, there's probably not going to be much of a lifestyle change - I still have Invisalign type retainers to deal with for a while. It would be good to get to the next step!!!

#2 Post by **smilesunset** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 12:06 pm

Hi Wireless. I am on aligner 33 of an initial 33, after a year of treatment, but I need refinements. My orthodontist told me last week I should expect only 5 or 6 more trays, but I'll believe it when I see it!

For me, the year has flown by. I adapted very quickly and I don't think having braces has had a significant impact on my lifestyle (I have Invisalign uppers and fixed lowers). I was told 18 months of treatment but I'll probably end up with slightly less.

Funny thing is, my ortho told me I could wear this tray for only 12 hours a day if I wanted, while I wait for refinements but I feel much more comfortable with it in than out! Strange how you get used to things.

Good luck with the rest of your treatment. The end is in sight!

#3 Post by **DrJasonKTam** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 9:14 am

The answer to this question depends highly on the case selection by the doctor and their ability to use Invisalign. The tendency for Invisalign treatment times to be shorter on average than most braces treatments may be due to the starting difficulty. For instance, the fact that over 99% of Invisalign providers cannot treat extraction cases properly with aligners means that they will only have non-extraction treatments. The latter treatments will obviously take less time than if extraction spaces must be closed. Many general dentists are also treating for alignment only rather than correction of the occlusion as well.

It reminds me of these insurance companies that say that drivers, on average, save "X" amount by switching... It doesn't take into account the fact that people wouldn't switch if they didn't save :).

#4 Post by **Wireless** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 8:44 pm

Dr. Tam,

Thanks for your comments. I had my latest ortho appointment today, and it looks like I'm down to six trays and there was no mention of refinements. My doctor did mention that when I finish my trays, he is going to have to cut the rear part off that covers my molars and let them settle without the thickness of the aligners.

My case is definitely not one of the simple ones. When I started, my front lower teeth were contacting the gums behind my uppers causing a lot of discomfort. It looks like treatment with Invisalign only is going to work out in treating this. I was originally told I may need to finish with regular braces - now it looks like this won't happen. It appears that Invisalign is developing the capability to address much more complex cases than only a couple of years ago.

Originally, I was told 18 months before Invisalign was considered, so it looks like I'm probably going to go a month or two longer when all is finished. It does feel good to be on the home stretch and also to eliminate the problems that I started out with. In addition to dramatically improving my dental health, I can now fly without my ears bothering me. The outcome is turning out to be very good!!

#5 Post by **cocoloves** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 12:32 pm

Hi Wireless

I wouldnt worry too much about your treatment lasting a long time, Im currently on aligner 14/43 upper and 14/32 lower!! I wouldn't say me teeth were awful but they have improved so much now that I would happily finish my treatment now!

Just think of the end of result, it will all be worth it!

#6 Post by **Wireless** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 3:40 pm

Thank for the encouragement!! I'm down to five trays (ten weeks) and hopefully won't have any refinements. I am going to have to wear aligners with the part covering my molars removed for a while to finish closing the gap between my uppers and lowers. I was originally told 18 months, so I'll hopefully be not too much longer than this.

I do have to note I have had really good results. The inflamed gums from my deep bite cleared up shortly after starting treatment and my dentist is very impressed now with my overall dental health. It looks like because of treatment, I will get to keep my real teeth a lot longer!!

As a footnote to those who are thinking about Invisalign but are concerned your case is too complex, it is a good idea to discuss your options with a skilled orthodontist. You may be surprised that you can be treated. In my case, I had read that Invisalign wouldn't work for my type of case. My orthodontist didn't mention it at first until he found a resorbed tooth root and decided regular braces would cause problems. Also, I really didn't like the idea of having to remove aligners to eat all of the time. However, as I'm approaching the end (hopefully!!) of treatment, I think this has definitely worked out to be a better approach.

#7 Post by **holmesmw** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 7:24 pm

Sorry to take the discussion a little off topic - but I'm new to invisalign (tray 4) and was curious if Dr. Tam could expand on his previous comment about extraction. I had an extraction at the beginning of my treatment - and my ortho never expressed any concern by doing it. Should I be worried about my treatment plan not properly closing this gap?

DrJasonKTam wrote:For instance, the fact that over 99% of Invisalign providers cannot treat extraction cases properly with aligners means that they will only have non-extraction treatments.