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Whether you’re on a tight deadline, like preparing for a wedding, or you just want quick results, you’re not alone if you’re trying to find the fastest way to straighten your teeth.
In the past, teeth straightening treatments were offered by local orthodontists. Options were limited, with most patients being given traditional braces.
Today, the teeth straightening experience isn’t one-size-fits-all. Instead you’ll have choices, and some work more quickly than others.
If speed’s your top priority, here’s our guide to how long it takes to straighten your teeth:
Traditional Braces
Traditional braces are made of metal, and might use tooth-coloured ceramic so that they’re a bit more discreet. Brackets are fixed to your teeth, and metal wires are stretched between the brackets to pull your teeth into position.
Most people wear traditional braces for 1-2 years in total. This means that they’re amongst the slowest forms of treatment, and you’ll need to visit an orthodontist often to have your braces tightened and adjusted.
Traditional braces are permanent fixtures, and stay in your mouth at all times. You’ll need to maintain good dental hygiene, even around the wires and brackets.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are like traditional braces, but fixed to the back of your teeth. Lingual braces are almost invisible, which helps if you’re feeling self-conscious.
Choosing lingual braces shouldn’t mean that you spend longer undergoing treatment. The typical treatment length for lingual braces is between 1-2 years.
Not all patients are suitable candidates for lingual braces. If you are, don’t expect this treatment to be the very fastest choice available.
Inman Aligners
Inman aligners can straighten teeth in as little as six weeks. These fast-acting aligners can be removed, but work best when they’re kept in your mouth.
Made of metal and plastic, Inman aligners put a lot of pressure on your teeth. A spring-loaded contraption pushes your teeth into their final position. As your teeth move, the aligner adjusts to keep applying the same amount of pressure.
An Inman aligner needs to be removed for eating and brushing your teeth. You should brush your teeth and clean your aligner after every meal (and morning and night).
Moving your teeth this quickly is not without some level of discomfort. This won’t be the easiest ride, but at least it’ll be over soon. The usual treatment time for an Inman aligner is 6-18 weeks.
There's also a pretty major catch – Inman aligners only work on the very front teeth, and are only suitable for select cases. So, don't assume that Inman aligners are the way to go.
Clear Aligners
Most people use clear aligners for about 6 months. This means that they’re a quick straightening treatment, though not as fast as Inman Aligners.
Treatment may take as little as 4 months or anything up to a year. Your treatment time will depend on how much your teeth need to be adjusted.
Clear aligners are removable, and should be taken out for eating and drinking. You’ll need to brush your teeth, and clean your aligners, several times a day. These aligners must be worn day and night to make sure that treatment is effective. Ideally, wear your clear aligners daily for 22 hours in total.
The major benefit of clear aligners is that they can treat a lot more cases than Inman aligners, including teeth that are further back in your mouth.
Nighttime Aligners
Clear aligners are discreet and comfortable, so most people wear them full-time. If you’d prefer not to wear yours during the day, you might consider nighttime aligners. These will slow down your treatment, since your teeth will only move when you’re wearing your aligners during sleep. The average treatment time is 10 months, which is about 4 months longer than clear aligners that need to be worn day and night.
If you want clear aligners but don’t have time to waste, you’ll need to wear them most of the time. If you’re in a rush, nighttime-only aligners aren’t going to create fast results.
The Fastest Way to Straighten Your Teeth
If you want a straighter smile and don’t want to wait, you may want to choose Inman Aligners. These offer the fastest teeth straightening treatment, with results in as little as six weeks.
Inman Aligners are fast and effective, but the metal fixings are clearly visible. And, they’re only suitable for front teeth in certain cases. If you want fast treatment that’s a lot less discreet and is much more likely to be suitable for you, clear aligners might be better. Clear aligners aren’t quite as fast, with an average treatment time of 6 months compared to three months with Inman aligners, but many people prefer to take things slower for a comfortable and more discreet option.
If Inman aligners are your top choice, your treatment could be over very quickly. Just make sure that you wear retainers afterwards, so your teeth don’t start to slip back.
Traditional braces and lingual braces were once the default choice for straighter teeth, but patients now have access to more options – and many are easier and quicker.
The Best Teeth Straightening Treatment
Treatment speed is an important factor, and might be your top priority, but it’s important to remember that your options may be limited by the current layout of your mouth. Your specific dental malocclusion may mean that some treatments aren’t suitable, which is why it’s best to consult a dentist and see what types of treatment they offer you.
Regular dental appointments are needed for Inman aligners, traditional braces and lingual braces. You’ll need to see your dentist to get your treatment started, and for monitoring all the way through. If you want to check if you’re a suitable candidate, your dentist can review your case.
Clear aligners, including nighttime-only aligners, can mostly be managed from home. You can make your own dental impressions, and will be able to go through your treatment whilst checking in online and sending photographs. This option offers a lot more freedom, but usually without the same level of supervision from dental professionals. If you’re choosing clear aligners, make sure you go for regular checkups to make sure that your teeth are still healthy.
Teeth straightening treatments have come a long way in just one or two generations. Now, there are more options than ever and each with their own benefits and drawbacks. If you want the fastest way to straighten your teeth, and you only have minor issues with your front teeth, then Inman aligners are the answer. If something else is a bigger priority, you can weigh up the treatment pros and cons.
