This is a question we get a lot. Let’s start by saying there simply isn’t a cut and dried answer. Most patients can expect a 18-24 month process from start to finish. Sometimes it takes 12 months, while other times it takes three years.
Many factors come into play when it comes to the timeline, such as:
- Your unique orthodontic problem, i.e., overbites, underbites, crossbites, etc.
- Appliances needed, such as spacers, elastics, headgear, and palatal expanders.
- Dental hygiene of the individual.
- Type of braces: metal or Invisalign
- How well the individual takes care of their braces while wearing them
- How diligent the individual is in following usage requirements, i.e., cranking the palatal expander once a day, keeping up with regular appointments, etc.
- The orthodontist and his or her unique approach.
- Complexity of work needed.
- Your age.
A child’s first visit to the orthodontist should take place by the age of 7 or 8. At this time, a preliminary diagnoses can begin, through x-rays and exams that show the state of the teeth, mouth and jaw. Sometimes the orthodontist will put off treatment to allow more baby teeth to fall out and adult teeth to come through. Sometimes, he or she will want to start treatment earlier if severe orthodontic problems are detected.
You will find all this out at your first consultation. Some people need to wear a palatal expander for a few months to widen the palate and prep the mouth for braces. Others don’t need that, but they may need to wear headgear during treatment. Almost all people will need to wear a retainer after the braces come off so as to keep the teeth from shifting.
Staying diligent about how you take care of your teeth and braces is a key factor in determining how long you will need them. Missing appointments, breaking your brackets due to eating hard foods, failing to turn your palatal expander, failing to call the office in case something doesn’t feel right, not wearing your elastics – these can all delay treatment. If you have Invisalign and you don’t wear them for the required 22 hours a day, you won’t see the results you’ve been promised. So, there is a certain level of responsibility on the patient. Bottom line…do as the doctor says and you could experience a shorter time with braces.
Got questions about the timeline for braces? Call Drs. Savage, Sabol and Visser at 757-428-1110 for a consultation at one of our many convenient locations.
