For most patients, the procedure takes around 12 months. The exact timeframe will depend on a patient's needed corrections, and Dr. Gaertner can advise patients on how long the trays will need to be worn during their initial consultation. Overall, the treatment time is generally less than with metal braces. This is in part because there is continued shifting of the teeth with each new aligner, and tooth movement is not dependent upon scheduling orthodontic visits for wire adjustments.