When Is the Best Time to Start Invisalign?

Is Summer the Best Time to Start Invisalign?

Updated September 28, 2026 · Richmond Virginia Orthodontics, Short Pump & Midlothian, VA

Here’s the short answer: summer is one of the easiest times to start Invisalign, but it’s not the only good time. The best time to start is the season when you can make it to your first few appointments and wear your aligners 20 to 22 hours a day without much trouble. For a lot of busy Richmond families that ends up being summer. For others, it’s the calm stretch after back-to-school, or a new year that starts with a clear calendar.

At Richmond Virginia Orthodontics, we start patients on Invisalign all year at our Short Pump and Midlothian offices. Below, we explain why summer works so well, when another season might suit you better, and what your first few weeks in clear aligners actually look like.

Why Summer Is a Great Time to Start Invisalign

Summer gives most people something they’re short on the rest of the year: flexible time. That flexibility matters most in the first month of treatment, when we do the most hands-on work with you.

Easier scheduling for teens

From September to June, teens are juggling school, homework, practices, games and part-time jobs. A 3:30 appointment can mean missing a class or leaving practice early. Once school lets out, those conflicts mostly go away. Your teen can come in for records, get their first set of aligners and settle in before the school bell rings again in the fall.

More breathing room for adults

Lots of adults have lighter workloads or take vacation time in the summer. That makes it simpler to get to your consultation, your scan and your aligner-delivery visit without juggling meetings. Our offices open as early as 7 a.m. on Wednesdays and stay open until 6 p.m. on Mondays, which helps too.

You get through the adjustment period at home

Every new aligner wearer goes through a short adjustment. Your teeth feel snug for a day or two with each new tray. You might lisp slightly the first week. You’ll also need to build new habits around eating and cleaning your aligners. Getting through all that during a quieter summer week at home is easier than getting through it during finals, a big presentation or the first week at a new job.

Visible progress by fall

Starting in May, June or July means you’ll have several months of aligners behind you by the time school or work routines pick back up. Many patients notice small changes early on, like gaps beginning to close or a crowded tooth starting to line up. That progress gives you a real confidence boost heading into the new season.

When Summer Might Not Be the Right Time

Summer isn’t ideal for everyone, and we’ll always tell you that honestly. If any of these sound like you, a different start date may work better:

• You’ll be traveling a lot. Long trips, summer camps or weeks at the beach can make it hard to keep up with aligner changes and check-ins during the first few months.
• You’re away for most of the summer. College students home for only a few weeks, or families splitting time between two homes, may do better starting in the fall or over winter break.
• Your routine is less predictable in summer. Some people wear their aligners more consistently when their days have a set structure. If that’s you, the school year might help.

Invisalign plans can often work around travel. We can give you several sets of aligners at once and schedule your visits around your trips. Tell us your plans at your consultation, and we’ll build your schedule around them.

Starting Invisalign in Fall, Winter or Spring

Your timing doesn’t have to follow the school calendar. Each season has its own advantages:

• Fall: Routines settle down once school is back in session. Many adults like the structure, and teens can fit appointments around a set weekly schedule.
• Winter: Starting over winter break gives you a week or two at home to adjust. It also lets you use a new year’s dental and FSA/HSA benefits.
• Spring: Start in March or April, and your smile will be well on its way by summer photos, graduations and weddings.

One more thing to think about is timing around a big event. If you have a wedding, senior portraits or a milestone photo coming up, tell us. We can map out your treatment so you’re further along by then. We can also plan when attachments go on and when we do any refinements.

What to Expect in Your First Few Weeks

Whatever season you start in, the first stretch of treatment follows a similar path.

1. Your new patient exam

We start by talking about your goals. What bothers you about your smile? What do you want to change? Then we evaluate your teeth and bite and take the digital images we need. You’ll find out whether Invisalign is a good fit, roughly how long treatment should take and what it will cost.

2. Your digital treatment plan

Using a 3D scan instead of messy impressions, we map out every stage of your tooth movement. You’ll see a preview of how your teeth are expected to shift, step by step, from start to finish.

3. Aligner delivery

When your custom aligners arrive, we fit your first set, place any small tooth-colored attachments your plan calls for and show you how to put your trays in and take them out. You’ll go home knowing exactly how to wear, clean and store them.

4. Building your routine

For the first week or two, focus on three habits:

• Wear your aligners 20 to 22 hours a day, and take them out only to eat, drink anything besides water, brush and floss.
• Brush your teeth before you put your aligners back in, so you don’t trap food against your teeth.
• Switch to each new set of aligners on the schedule we give you, not early and not late.

That’s it. Most patients tell us that by week three, their aligners feel like a normal part of their day.

Why Start Invisalign With Richmond Virginia Orthodontics

Richmond Magazine readers voted us the #1 orthodontist in Richmond, and we work hard every day to deserve it. Our orthodontists, Dr. Chad Schanilec and Dr. Jason Gladwell, both completed their orthodontic training at VCU/MCV right here in Richmond. Between them, they have decades of experience straightening teeth for teens and adults.

We also know cost matters. Our team works with many dental insurance plans that include orthodontic benefits, and we’ll help you understand your coverage before you commit to anything. Invisalign isn’t right for every case. If braces would get you a better result, we’ll tell you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Starting Invisalign

Is summer a good time to start Invisalign?

Yes. Summer is one of the most popular times to start because teens are out of school and many adults have more flexible schedules. That makes the first few appointments and the adjustment period easier to manage.

How long before I see results from Invisalign?

Many patients notice small changes within the first few months, especially with gaps or mild crowding. Total treatment time depends on your case. Mild cases can take about six months, and more complex cases can take a year or longer.

Can I travel while wearing Invisalign?

Yes. We can often give you extra sets of aligners ahead of time and plan check-ins around your trip. Bring your case, a travel toothbrush, and your previous set of aligners as a backup.

Is there an age limit for starting Invisalign?

No. Invisalign works for teens and adults, as long as your teeth and gums are healthy. We’ll confirm that you’re a good candidate at your exam.

Ready to Pick Your Start Date?

The best time to start Invisalign is when it fits your life. We’re happy to help you figure out when that is. Call us at 804-884-9906 or fill out the appointment request form on this page to schedule your new patient exam at our Short Pump office in Henrico or our Midlothian office. We’ll look at your smile and your calendar, and together we’ll plan a start that works for you.