You’ve seen the ads. Sleek, nearly invisible trays that promise straighter teeth without the brackets, wires, and monthly tightenings. Sounds great. But let’s get real about the question most people are quietly Googling before they commit:

How long do aligners actually take to work?

Whether you’re 16 or 65, getting straighter teeth shouldn’t mean committing to years of treatment or endless dental visits. And with OrthoFX, it doesn’t.

We built our clear aligner system to work with real lives. Fast timelines. Smart tracking. Flexible wear. So let’s answer the big question and explain how to actually speed things up.

Why Every Smile Has Its Own Timeline

The short version? Most clear aligner treatments take between 6 and 18 months. The long version? It depends on your case.

Clear aligners gradually shift your teeth using custom-made trays. You change them every 1–2 weeks, following a plan that’s tailored to your teeth. But the time it takes depends on:

• What you’re fixing: Mild gaps or crowding? You could be done in under 6 months. More complex cases may take closer to 12–18.
• Your consistency: Wearing your aligners for the recommended number of hours each day is key to staying on track. Most aligners require up to 22 hours per day. AirFlex Aligners are more flexible, but you still need to wear them for at least 12 hours a day to stay on schedule.
• Your biology: Teeth shift at different speeds depending on age, jaw structure, and even bone density.

At OrthoFX, we use 3D treatment planning to predict how your smile will respond, so you get a realistic, data-driven timeline upfront.

What Can Clear Aligners Fix and How Long Does It Take?

You don’t need to have a perfect candidate smile to qualify for aligners. Here’s what clear aligners are great at treating and how long it typically takes:

• Do aligners work for gaps? Yes, beautifully. These are usually resolved in 6–9 months.
• Do aligners work for crowded teeth? Absolutely. As long as your case doesn't require jaw repositioning, aligners are a solid option. Mild to moderate cases often take 9–12 months.
• Do teeth aligners work on overbite? They can. Many can be addressed in under 18 months.

And with OrthoFX, you don’t have to guess if you’re a good fit. Our virtual pre-assessment gives you fast answers, no impressions, no waiting rooms.

What Makes OrthoFX Faster?

Here’s where we do things differently. At OrthoFX, speed isn’t about rushing; it’s about building smarter systems that move you forward, faster.

* AirFlex™ Wear Time Advantage

Our FDA-cleared AirFlex™ aligners are designed to work with at least 12 hours of daily wear, making them ideal for busy adults, students, and night-shift warriors alike.

* Real-Time Tracking with FXOnTrack™

Skip unnecessary clinic visits. With FXOnTrack™, your progress is monitored remotely by your care team, keeping treatment efficient and adaptable.

* Doctors in the Loop

Every OrthoFX treatment is designed and supervised by a licensed orthodontist or dentist. From your first scan to your final tray, your doctor is reviewing and adjusting as needed.

* Start Now with FXPay™

Our FXPay™ program offers flexible, 0% interest plans so you can start treatment right away with no third-party lenders or upfront stress.**

This is what we mean when we say “designed for real life.”

Tips to Stay on Track

Even with a great plan, results come down to what you do daily. Want your aligners to work faster? Start here:

• Stick to your wear schedule: 20 to 22 hours per day is your best friend (or at least 12 hours of wear time with OrthoFX’s AirFlex)
• Don’t skip trays early: Follow your doctor’s timeline, not your gut.
• Keep your trays clean: Poor hygiene slows progress and can lead to delays.
• Stay connected to your care team: The OrthoFX platform makes it easy.

With remote monitoring, you’re not left guessing if things are working. You’ll know and so will your doctor.

So… How Long Does It Really Take?

Most OrthoFX patients complete treatment in 6 to 18 months. That’s comparable to traditional options, but often with fewer disruptions along the way.

From our AirFlex™ wear time flexibility to FXPay™ financing, every part of the OrthoFX system is designed to remove friction and keep you moving forward. You get clinical precision, without clinical headaches.

And if you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to get started, this might be it. Ask your doctor about OrthoFX, or take our quick Smile Quiz to see if you're a candidate.

Footnotes

*https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10597356/ **Subject to credit approval. Minimum monthly payments are required during the promotional period. Making only the minimum payments will not pay off the full principal balance. Interest is accrued during the promotional period, but all interest will be waived if the full purchase amount is paid before the promotional period ends.