Getting braces is an exciting step toward changing your smile, but it is also a commitment. Before getting started, it is natural to want to know how long you will be wearing them and when you can expect to see results.
So, how long do braces take? According to the American Association of Orthodontists, most people wear braces for about 12 to 24 months. Your treatment could take less time or longer depending on your teeth, your bite, and the amount of change needed.
And while the final result takes time, you do not have to wait until your braces come off to notice a difference. Your smile will be changing throughout treatment, giving you the chance to see your progress along the way.
At Orthodontic Specialists in St. George, UT, Dr. Jeff Erickson evaluates your teeth and bite and talks with you about the changes you would like to see in your smile. From there, he can recommend a treatment plan and give you an estimate of how long your braces treatment is expected to take.
What Determines How Long Braces Take?
The 12-to-24-month range gives you a general idea of what to expect, but your own timeline depends on what needs to change.
If you have a few teeth that need relatively small adjustments, your treatment may take less time. If several teeth need to be repositioned, you have significant crowding or spaces to close, or your bite also needs correction, treatment can take longer.
This is why your treatment may be shorter or longer than a friend’s or sibling’s, even if your smiles seem similar. What matters is what needs to be accomplished for your individual smile.
Age, Growth, and the Right Time to Start Braces
For children, when braces begin can be just as important as how long treatment takes. Teeth and jaws continue to develop as children grow, and not every child who needs orthodontic care needs to start braces at the same age.
At Orthodontic Specialists, the free Kids Club Program gives Dr. Erickson an opportunity to monitor a child’s teeth and jaw as they develop. Some children may be ready to begin braces, while others can continue growing before treatment starts. Watch Dr. Erickson explain how our Kids Club works.
For teens and adults who are ready for braces, the estimated treatment time will depend primarily on their teeth, bite, and the changes needed to reach their treatment goals.
Seeing Your Smile Change
A year or two can sound like a long time when you are eager to see a new smile. But braces treatment is not a matter of waiting 12 or 24 months and suddenly seeing the result.
Your teeth move gradually, which means your smile changes along the way. A crooked tooth may begin lining up with the others. Crowding can become less noticeable. A space that has always caught your eye may begin getting smaller.
Watching those changes happen can be one of the most exciting parts of getting braces. Little by little, you get to see your new smile taking shape.
Taking photos along the way can make your progress even easier to see. When you compare a new photo with one taken before you started braces, you may be surprised by how much your smile has already changed.
Helping Your Braces Treatment Stay on Track
Although you cannot control exactly how quickly your teeth move, there are things you can do to help your treatment progress as planned.
Keeping your orthodontic appointments allows Dr. Erickson and our team to follow your progress and make the adjustments needed throughout treatment. If elastics are part of your treatment, wearing them as directed can also help your teeth and bite move toward their planned positions.
Taking care of your braces and following the instructions you receive from our team can help keep treatment moving toward your new smile.
When Is Braces Treatment Complete?
As treatment progresses, there may come a point when you look in the mirror and realize just how much your smile has changed. Your teeth may already look straight, but Dr. Erickson will also be paying attention to their final positions and how your upper and lower teeth fit together.
Treatment is complete when your teeth and bite have reached the goals established for your smile.
And then comes the part you have been waiting for: seeing your new smile without braces. You will receive a retainer to help keep your teeth in their new positions, along with instructions from our team on when to wear it.
Find Out How Long Braces May Take for Your Smile
If you are wondering how long braces take, 12 to 24 months is a useful general range, but your treatment could be shorter or longer. The best way to get a more specific answer is to have your own teeth and bite evaluated.
At Orthodontic Specialists, your complimentary consultation includes X-rays, photos, and time with Dr. Erickson to talk about your smile and your treatment options. He can then give you an estimate of how long your braces treatment is expected to take.
If you are ready to find out what braces could do for your smile, schedule a complimentary consultation with Orthodontic Specialists in St. George, UT, and take the first step toward a confident new smile.
