Are you thinking about getting braces and find yourself asking the question, how long do braces take? Maybe your family dentist advices you that you need to wear braces or maybe you want to get straighter teeth to make your smile better.
These days, adult patients are getting the braces treatment without feeling insecure about it. More and more people are realizing the importance of dental care and having a good smile when making first impressions in their careers and relationships.
If you know you can benefit from having braces treatment, you probably are wondering how long do braces take to get your teeth straightened. Of course, we all know braces come with a lot of limitations and although we are more disciplined as adults, these restrictions can still be a hassle.
In this article, we will give you an idea of how long do braces take to straighten out your teeth and tackle other things about the treatment that you should know.
How long do braces take in adults?
The answer will depend on several factors like your age, or the type of orthodontic issue that you have. For example, if you have severe jaw misalignment, you will have to wear braces for a longer time compared to another patient that only has minor crooked teeth issues.
If you are looking for a general range, the average treatment time for braces is usually one to three years. Some patients can have them off in less than a year if they only have mild orthodontic problems to deal with.
There is no general answer since the treatment time will vary depending on the personal needs of the patients. The only way to know for sure is to get a consultation with a dental professional.
Most orthodontists can tell you how long you will need to wear braces after they do a thorough evaluation of your teeth. They will then be able to discuss with you the treatment and what it can do to your adult teeth.
Factors that affect the duration of braces
How crooked your teeth are
Most patients get braces treatment because they have crooked teeth. Some teeth are crowded, stick out, or have gaps between them.
If you have one of these issues and you do not get treatment, you will be more vulnerable to gum disease, enamel erosion, and cavities.
The amount of time you have to wear braces will depend on the severity of these conditions. The more work you need, the longer it will take.
Your bite
The bite is a big factor and it refers to the way your top and bottom teeth are aligned. It has something to do more with jaw alignment than teeth alignment. Wearing braces can help although aligners are not advisable for this issue.
If you have bite problems like open bite, deep bite, crossbite, and underbite, you will need to get treatment. Treating a bite with braces will take longer compared to getting braces to treat misaligned teeth.
Your age
Of course, the age you get your braces will impact how long you will be wearing braces.
Puberty is the best time for braces. Children and teenagers are at the ideal age to get braces because their teeth, jaw, and mouth are still developing at that stage. It makes the job of moving and aligning things a lot easier.
When you are done with puberty, everything will be set into its permanent positions. This makes it harder to mold and move things into their desired places. As a result, it will take more time and effort.
Type of braces
These days, you are no longer limited to traditional metal braces as an orthodontic treatment. There are a lot of varieties to choose from now. You can choose between metal braces, clear aligners, ceramic braces, or lingual braces.
Your discipline
Getting braces is just one part of the treatment. The rest is about you following treatment instructions and maintaining good oral hygiene while you wear braces.
Make sure you take note of what your orthodontist will tell you. Your orthodontist will be giving you tips to maintain proper oral hygiene while wearing braces. The orthodontist will also give you tips on what eating habits you must maintain.
Of course, if anything happens to your braces, it is your responsibility to see the orthodontist right away. The longer the braces stay damaged, the higher the chance that you will lose all your progress, and your teeth will shift back to their original positions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do braces take longer for adults compared to teens and kids?
Generally, the teeth of teenagers and children can move and shift quickly since they are still developing.
Adults already have a full set of teeth and their jaws have stopped growing so it might take longer. But there are also some cases where adult braces will take less time than teens and kids.
So, when it comes to how long do braces take, it all depends on your current dental situation and how much work needs to be done on their set.
Am I too old for braces?
You can never get too old for braces. As a matter of fact, even senior citizens can get them as orthodontic treatment. No matter what your age is, an orthodontist can correct your crooked teeth with braces, anytime.
Is there a way to shorten the treatment plan?
If you are disciplined enough to follow all your orthodontist’s instructions and to maintain good oral hygiene, there is a chance that you can get your adult braces off sooner than expected.
What should I expect on the first appointment?
On your first consultation, the orthodontist will do thoroughly examine your facial and oral features. This is necessary to identify what kind of treatment you require.
Your orthodontist may do digital impressions, CBCT scans, x-rays, mammograms, and facial photographs. All of these are necessary for the orthodontist to see what kind of treatment you need and how long your treatment time will be.
Your orthodontist will then ask you to come back. By then, you will be given several treatment plan options that are suitable for your dental issue.
As you can see, there is no general answer when it comes to questioning how long do braces take. The only way to know for sure is when you get a consultation with a dental professional.
Remember, your behavior and discipline while you wear braces can impact the duration of how long you should have braces on. Make sure that you follow your orthodontists’ advice and always maintain good dental hygiene when wearing your braces.