If you’ve been considering orthodontic treatment like braces to straighten your teeth and correct your bite issues, you might have a lot of initial questions – however, the biggest one on your mind is likely: “How long is this process going to take?” The answer depends on a few different factors, all of which your orthodontist will review with you during your consultation. Here’s a brief overview.

How Long Will I Have to Wear My Braces?

In truth, there’s no set answer here – the length of your braces timeline will depend on numerous factors, including:

• The crookedness of your teeth – The most common reason for wearing braces is to address crooked teeth; severe cases of malocclusion may take some time to address, while mild cases can be corrected relatively quickly.
• Your bite’s alignment – The way your top and bottom teeth align is known as your bite, and it might not line up the way it should if you have an overbite, underbite, crossbite, or open bite. Treating bite issues can take longer than treating only misalignment.
• The type of braces selected – There are different forms of orthodontic treatment with varying timelines; for example, metal braces tend to take longer than clear aligners. However, this can be attributed to clear aligners being used to address less intense orthodontic issues.
• The need for additional appliances – Some patients aren’t entirely finished with their orthodontic journey once their braces come off and might need to wear a nightguard or retainer for a while. Similarly, during treatment, the need for things like elastics or headgear can lengthen the overall timeline.

All of that said, the average timeline for braces often falls between 1 and 3 years for most patients. During your consultation, your orthodontist will be able to give you a detailed estimate of what to expect during each stage of treatment.

Can I Speed Up the Braces Process?

Technically speaking, you cannot “speed up” the braces process, as the entire point of the treatment is to gradually move your teeth through a series of undetectable micromovements. Trying to facilitate faster tooth movement could be harmful to the teeth and jaw.

With that in mind, there are a few ways you can prevent setbacks to your treatment and keep things moving along smoothly. The main thing is to maintain your dental health; though braces can make it a little more challenging to brush and floss, you shouldn’t neglect these habits. Cavities or gum disease can harm your teeth, causing issues with their movement. Likewise, you should continue to attend your dental checkups and cleanings while wearing braces, as well as your orthodontic check-ins.

Braces help to align your teeth and jaw, leading to all kinds of awesome dental benefits – committing to the treatment for a few months or a couple of years is a small price to pay for a potential lifetime of happy, healthy smiling!

About the Practice

Our team here at Simply Orthodontics Framingham has proudly served the needs of families in Framingham and the surrounding area for many years, offering a wide range of orthodontic services for all ages, including traditional metal braces. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with us to set up an appointment for yourself or a loved one, please feel free to reach out online or call for more information. Telephone: (508) 250-0170.