How long do you have to wear braces? That’s an important question that most people ask when they start getting their braces on. The answer will vary depending on the type of braces you get and the severity of your problem, but you should be able to expect them to last from one year to two years in total, depending on how fast your teeth move toward their final position.
Braces – How Long Do They Last?
Since every person’s teeth, bite and jaw are different, there is no one size fits all answer. The amount of time needed for orthodontic treatment varies on a case-by-case basis. Although most people finish their orthodontic treatment in just a few years, it is possible for someone to need up to 5 or 6 years of treatment. There are many factors that can affect how long someone wears their braces including how early an individual starts wearing them, how frequently they maintain appointments with their dentist/orthodontist, how strictly they follow instructions from their dental team and how quickly progress is made throughout treatment.
If you start your orthodontic treatment as an adult, then it may take longer than if you were younger when your treatments started. There are also some other reasons why someone may be require to wear their braces beyond age 18, such as: crowding issues that prevent adult teeth from coming in where they should, overlapping teeth or shifting teeth that require more work post-orthodontics as well as missing permanent teeth.
Wearing Braces – Why Does it Take So Long for My Teeth to Move?
Wearing braces will certainly make your teeth move, but it may not be as quick as you’d like. A few months is a good estimate of how quickly they move, and if it seems too slow, contact your orthodontist. Why does it take so long for my teeth to move with braces? First of all, your baby teeth are known as deciduous dentition and are there for a reason: they fall out and make room for permanent ones .
Most cases of adult tooth movement can occur in adults when their permanent teeth are still erupting—which is why it may feel like nothing’s happening even after wearing them for a year or more. The speed at which you see results has to do with genetics, length of time wearing braces, consistency in dental hygiene habits and several other factors. In short: some people’s teeth will always want to stand up straight naturally; others may need treatment from an orthodontist regardless. To find out how long putting braces will take in your specific case, call us today!
Things I Wish I’d Known Before I Got Braces
I’ve been wearing braces for about two months now, so I figured it was time for an update on how things are going. Overall, things are fine. Better than fine, actually: my teeth look way better than they did before and eating is a lot easier (and more enjoyable). I’ve learn a ton of stuff since getting my braces put on and now that I know what it’s like, here are 8 things I wish someone had me about.
Braces aren’t exactly comfortable The actual act of putting your braces on your teeth doesn’t hurt—it feels kind of cool in fact—but having them in your mouth hurts pretty quickly afterwards. Before I got my braces fit, both my orthodontist and dentist warn me that having brackets or bands inside your mouth were bound to be uncomfortable at some point. However, neither said anything about how having them all day every day can lead to very sore spots inside my cheeks!
Final Thoughts About Wearing Braces
Most orthodontists will require their patients to wear a retainer or headgear after they complete treatment, but how long depends on how severe your case is. Over-retentive wearers may need to use a retainer for up to three years while under-retentive wearers may not need one at all. But if you’re in between, it’s best to ask your orthodontist about how long you should be wearing it once your teeth are straight.