How Long Do You Keep Braces On? (Duration and Tips)

How Long Do You Keep Braces On? It takes approximately 18 to 24 months for most patients to get used to wearing fixed braces. Treatment may take up to three years for patients with harder to correct problems or those who are older. Treatment may take as little as 6 to 12 months if your issues are mild or you’re a good candidate for clear aligners like Invisalign.

How Long Will it Take For My Teeth to be Straightened?

This is probably the most common question among people who are strongly considering orthodontic treatment. This is because people want to end their treatment as soon as possible so they can resume their normal lives. The length of your orthodontic treatment will depend a great deal on your gums and how old you are. It will generally take longer to align the teeth of children. This is due primarily to their gums being strong, requiring a larger amount of pressure to be applied for a greater length of time. However, as people age, their gums naturally get weaker. This means that most adults will not need to wait as long for their teeth to be forced into alignment. Most of the time, orthodontic treatment takes one to two years to get you the smile you want.

What Are The Different Orthodontic Options?

In the old days, your only option for straightening your teeth was to wear metal brackets. While these are very effective for doing what they are designed to do, many people consider them to be very unsightly. In fact, many people are embarrassed to be in social situations with metal brackets. Fortunately, you now have more options than people did 50 years ago. You can also use brackets that are made of ceramic. These can’t be seen nearly as easily as the metal variety. Finally, you can also decide to use plastic aligners.

Invisalign is considered to be one of the best companies when it comes to producing these plastic aligners. These work differently than metal brackets. A series of aligners are custom made for your teeth. You will periodically change aligners during the treatment process. The aligners will gradually move your teeth into the proper position. These have become popular because they can be easily taken out by the patient.

How Long Will My Orthodontic Treatment Last?

The amount of time that people are required to go through orthodontic treatment can vary greatly. It all depends on how crooked your teeth are when the orthodontic treatment begins. Some people may only need to wear braces for one year, while others will be required to wear them for a couple of years. Whatever your particular situation is, it is critical that you keep your braces on for the time recommended by your orthodontist. This is the only way to guarantee that you will get the results you are looking for. Some people experience more discomfort than others during the orthodontic process.

Many people experience pain during their regular appointments to get their brackets tightened. This is normal, but it can bother some people to the point that they might consider having their brackets removed before their orthodontic treatment has been completed. The decision to remove your brackets will be yours. However, removing them early is not a good idea. If the removal is performed before the predetermined end date of your orthodontic treatment, you will be left with teeth that are not as straight as they could be.

Conclusion

A brace aligns your teeth and jaw, which is beneficial for both aesthetics and health.

In some cases, braces may be worn for several years, depending on the severity of your condition.

To avoid extending your orthodontic treatment time, speak with your orthodontist about your treatment expectations.

joelgluck

Dr. Joel Gluck has practiced orthodontics since 1983 when he opened his own office in Nashville. He earned his undergraduate degree at Washington University in St. Louis, and his dental degree at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Gluck then completed an orthodontic specialty residency at the University of Michigan, one of the top five orthodontic training residencies in the country. He also wrote an original thesis and received a Master of Science degree.