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How Long Does It Take to Widen Arch with Invisalign?

I am getting my arch widened to straighten teeth instead of IPR (Interproximal Reduction). Does it take a long time to widen the arch with Invisalign?

Doctor Answers 4

Widening the arches with Invisalign

March 17th, 2013
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Most of the answers I see for this question make it sound like widening arches is an easy thing with little limitation and no downside!  Yes you can widen the arches with Invisalign...certainly not as quickly as regular braces; and nobody mentions the fact that widening arches in older patients is very unstable and prone to relapse...The secret on all orthodontic treatment is not how fast you can do something but how functional and STABLE the final result is!

Robert Waxler, DMD, MS


Saint Louis Orthodontist

Invisalign great for arch widening and smile broadening

November 3rd, 2009
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Invisalign is great for arch expansion which can help give a wider "Hollywood" smile as well as make space to alleviate the crowding.  It is hard to put an exact time on it but usually takes between 6 and 10 months.

Gabriela Hricko, DDS

Gabriela Hricko, DDS
New York Orthodontist
5.0 out of 5 stars 1 review

Arch expansion time with Invisalign will vary with each case

October 30th, 2009
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The forces generated with Invisalign are softer than with wires and brackets, and some arches need more expansion than others.  The general rule of thumb is around 6 months, but can be much longer.

Web reference: http://www.DrTimmerman.com

Lance Timmerman, DMD, MAGD

Lance Timmerman, DMD, MAGD
Seattle Dentist
4.3 out of 5 stars 6 reviews

Widen your arches and broaden your smile with Invisalign

October 30th, 2009
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Invisalign is an excellent treatment for widening your arches and thereby broadening your smile, and it works quickly. In fact, one of the first things I notice in my patients as they begin treatment is their smile becomes bigger and wider due to the expansion of the arches.

Web reference: http://www.atlantadentalspa.com/pages/services/Atlanta_invisalign.htm

Susan Goode Estep, DMD

Susan Goode Estep, DMD
Atlanta Dentist
5.0 out of 5 stars 3 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.