When it comes to aligning teeth with braces, one of the most common questions asked at an orthodontist appointment is: “How long will braces last?” Straightening teeth and braces is a journey that requires time, dedication, and patience from the patient. To better understand the duration of braces and the factors that influence it, let’s dive deeper into the process.
The duration of treatment for straightening teeth with a braces system can vary depending on individual factors. In general, the average treatment duration is about one to two years. In some cases, straightening teeth with braces can be done faster, for example, in 8 months, but this depends on the specific bite problem and the patient’s compliance with wearing braces. When drawing up a treatment plan and during follow-up visits, the orthodontist can give a more accurate estimate of the duration of treatment, taking into account the individual needs of the patient. In order to predict how long braces treatment will last, information is first collected, including scans, photographs, panoramic X-rays and side views. Based on the collected information, a detailed treatment plan is drawn up, which describes the treatment in stages in both text and images. This way, it is possible to visually see the expected final result of the treatment before starting treatment and ordering braces. For a quick overview of the braces treatment process, you can read here.
A dental scan is necessary to create a treatment plan.
After scanning the teeth, it is possible to begin digital treatment planning, which also includes determining the initial number of crowns. The number of crowns directly affects the duration of the treatment.
In more complex situations, the treatment plan may need to be adjusted, as the actual tooth displacement and expected movements may differ. In simpler treatment cases, the entire set of brackets is made at once and the patients receive all the brackets themselves. In this situation, the total number of brackets is less than 20. It is recommended to wear one bracket for two weeks, and the brackets can be temporarily removed for eating and brushing. The minimum daily wearing time should be at least 22 hours, which allows the process to be accelerated and one bracket to be worn for two weeks instead of 10 days. Specific instructions and orders are always given by the attending physician, who monitors the entire process and provides appropriate guidance.
For more complex bite problems, teeth are also scanned mid-treatment to assess the range of tooth movement more accurately. Sometimes it is necessary to reevaluate the treatment plan and even change the direction of tooth movement. Orthodontic tooth movement with braces requires professional treatment planning and special training.
In some cases, in addition to braces, it is also necessary to wear elastics, which give the system extra strength and speed up the treatment process. Elastics are small rubber rings that are attached to braces and must be changed every day, sometimes even several times a day. If the patient does not wear and change the elastics, the desired result will not be achieved and the treatment will start to drag on. Sometimes it may seem that the teeth are moving and the situation is improving, but in reality the backlog is large and quite a few braces have to be ordered.
Properly wearing braces is a prerequisite for successful brace treatment.
If you leave the braces out of your mouth for several hours or even days, your teeth will regress towards their original position. The braces may fit well at first, but the gap will only become apparent after a few weeks. The inaccuracy is reflected in the poor fixation of the braces, which does not improve even after wearing the braces for a few days.
When using any new braces, it is natural that the braces do not immediately fit. For this, it is necessary to use a soft rubber roller, chewing which helps the braces to stay in place better and move the teeth into the required position. It is important to remember that squeezing the braces together with the teeth is a negative action, which breaks the braces and causes cracks.
Sometimes cracks also occur as a result of grinding your teeth at night. People often clench their teeth tightly during the day due to stress, and at night, when they are relaxed, they start grinding their teeth. Teeth should only touch each other when eating, at other times there should be a gap of about 3mm. If you monitor yourself daily and avoid clenching your teeth, orthodontic treatment with braces will also progress faster. Braces can move teeth if there is no impact force and the braces do not get tired or break.
Teeth grinding (bruxism) and clenching are complex disorders and getting rid of them is not that easy. It is often necessary to consult a myofunctional therapist, review the problem, and also reduce overall stress levels.
In summary, the length of treatment depends on many factors, including the severity of the dental problem, the patient’s age, the structure of the jaws, the general condition of the body, and the doctor’s skills, but the most important thing is the patient’s role.
The most important role is the patient’s
If the patient does not wear braces, does not follow the doctor’s instructions and visit times, the desired result will not be achieved. But there is always no point in being sad if the condition of your teeth does not improve immediately. Sometimes tooth shifting begins in the area of the back teeth. In this case, gaps will arise. The front teeth only become straighter when space is created by the movement of the back teeth.
Orthodontic treatment with braces is a longer and more complex process that requires time and discipline. Changes don’t happen overnight.
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