If you suffer from a degree of dental misalignment, you may be thinking about getting braces. Still, you might hesitate because you are afraid of spending years with metal brackets and wires on your teeth. Do not worry — for most patients, after they get used to their braces, the time goes by pretty quickly. But what exactly is the expected braces’ treatment time? It varies from patient to patient. In this blog post, we will discuss some factors that can affect how long you will need to wear braces.
Your Degree and Type of Dental Misalignment
This is the primary factor that determines orthodontic time. If your dental misalignment is fairly mild, it is possible that you will be wearing braces for as little as six months or so. On the other hand, individuals with severe alignment issues can expect a longer treatment period. In rare cases, it can take up to three years or so for braces to achieve the desired results. The average treatment time is about 18 months.
Your Habits
You should be committed to following your orthodontist’s instructions for treatment. Failure to do so might cause unnecessary delays. For example, if you often skip or postpone appointments with your orthodontist, your braces will not get tightened as often as they should, which will inevitably lead to an extended treatment timeline. Also, if you fail to use accessories, such as rubber bands, as directed, you will similarly experience delays.
It is also important that you protect your braces by wearing a mouthguard during sports and avoiding certain foods. Mistakes in these areas could damage your brackets and wires and may harm your teeth as well.
Your Age
Age is a relatively minor factor in orthodontic timelines, but it does play a role. The bones and teeth of younger people are more malleable and tend to heal relatively quickly, which facilitates faster tooth movements. Adults, on the other hand, have harder bones that may be more resistant to tooth movements.
Learn More About Your Treatment
Since every case is different, the only way you can find out how long braces will take for you is to talk to a qualified orthodontist. After they examine your teeth, they can give you an estimate for your treatment timeline. They can also help you explore different options for straightening your teeth. For example, you might be a candidate for clear aligners. Individuals who use Invisalign tend to finish their treatment more quickly than people with traditional braces.
It might seem like braces take a long time to work, but the end result is worth it! The sooner you get started, the sooner you can begin to enjoy the benefits of a well-aligned smile.
Meet the Orthodontist
Dr. Ledjo Palo is the experienced on-staff orthodontist at Torrington Dental Care. He is passionate about what he does, and he is proud to offer both traditional braces and Invisalign. To learn more about him and how our practice may be able to serve you, contact us at 860-969-2423.