Braces are the most common orthodontic treatment. Most children between the ages of 10 and 14 will need braces. Even adults get braces to improve their smile as well as their dental health. While clear aligner systems are becoming increasingly popular, braces are the universal teeth straightening system that works for nearly everyone.
When it comes to getting braces, kids and their parents tend to have some questions about them, such as: how long do braces take to straighten teeth? Here’s what you can expect.
Average Treatment Time for Braces
Braces treatment may take anywhere from 1 to 3 years to straighten your teeth and align your bite. The average treatment time is about 2 years, but the actual duration of your braces treatment depends on a variety of factors.
Factors That Affect How Long You Need to Wear Braces
The duration of your treatment will be as long as is needed to get the teeth into the correct position. The following factors may affect that time frame:
- Individual orthodontic needs. There are a wide variety of orthodontic problems including crowding, crooked teeth, turned teeth, gaps between teeth, overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite, and more. The extent of the corrections your teeth require to be in proper alignment will affect the length of your treatment.
- Age. Children and adolescents often have shorter treatment times because growth spurts that are common during this age actually help accelerate the movement of the teeth. It is easier to reshape the jaw and shift the teeth when growth hormones make bones and tendons more flexible. Treatment often takes longer for adults because their permanent teeth have become more set in place and are not as easy to move.
- Compliance. Some of the responsibility of your braces treatment lies with you. It is important to stay on schedule with appointments so that the necessary adjustments can be made to your braces. If your treatment involves rubber bands, you’ll need to wear them as much as possible and be sure you are connecting the right brackets. You also need to follow eating recommendations to avoid damaging your braces. By following your orthodontist’s instructions you can avoid delays in your treatment.
- Oral hygiene. It is more important than ever to take care of your teeth while you have braces. The brackets and wires trap food residue and increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. If you don’t take care of your teeth, you may have to get your braces removed while your teeth and gums recover. Then you’ll have to start your braces treatment over again. Be sure to brush your teeth after eating, at least 3 times a day. Floss at least once a day, making sure to thread the floss under your archwire.
Tender Smiles 4 Kids Provides Braces Treatment
Tender Smiles 4 Kids is a full service pediatric dental practice, meaning we also include orthodontics in our comprehensive services. Schedule an evaluation to determine whether or not you need orthodontic treatment, what type would be best for you, and how long your treatment will take. We also provide orthodontics, including Invisalign for adults!
Contact us to schedule an appointment at the location that is most convenient for you.