How often do you get your braces tightened??

[katie1018]

I met a guy this week who has braces -- he told me he gets his tightened once every 6 to 8 weeks. My appointments are every 3 or 4 weeks.

Is it normal that I go twice as often???? Is this something that varies between orthodontists, or does it have to do with the type of treatment, or what part of treatment???

How often do you get yours worked on?

[Denise]

Your logic is right - it all has to do with the type of braces you have, and what your orthodontist needs to do.

My braces don't get 'tightened'...I just get a new wire almost every time I go in. Sometimes on on top or bottom, and once I had both replaced at the same visit. I typically go in every 8 weeks but for some reason this time I'm going back in five weeks (March 5). They didn't replace anything but my power chain and sent me 'up' an elastic resistance, but said next time they are going to be replacing both my wires with steel wires, a new power chain, and tighter elastics again. We are getting pretty agressive in my treament as we are focusing more now on my bite. I am looking forward to the next appointment, but completely not excited for how much pain I'll be in. Just gotta get through those first four days

[lauralea]

As a kid my aPpts were usually every 4-6weeks . And that was with regular ligating braces and a horrible bite.

[LatiasWindBlast]

My braces get tightened every 6 weeks.

[Boohill]

Hi katie,
I go every 4 weeks.

[Sunny]

Hi Katie ... adjustments vary for many reasons, although some ortho's still like to see their patients at regular intervals, or for some it ties in with when they're at that office.

Adjustments relate to how well the teeth are progressing and how well the archwires are working. The memory archwires which are used by most ortho's now, can continue to work without adjustments for many months ... sometimes six months to a year. Most ortho's would want to see you during this time though, as you may benefit from something extra added (or removed) to aid the progress that's needed.

Where I work, our adjustments are tied in with the treatment being done. This means they can be as close as one week or as far apart as 16 weeks, with most appointments are between 8 and 12 weeks.

A good ortho will know what your teeth need and when! Take care!

[Anny]

Mine are every 4 weeks

[lasvegasann]

Every 4 to 6 weeks...................

[MCOMarkhamOrthodontist]

In North America, most regular visits are 4, 6, or 8 weeks apart. There may be longer intervals during initial alignment with NiTi wires in some offices to allow full expression of movement or if the orthodontist is waiting for teeth to erupt.

Our patients generally come in every 8 weeks for visits. If there is something particular that I want to keep an eye on, or if we are just looking at some minor details towards the end of treatment, that interval may decrease.

A couple of considerations in addition to how often you go in are:

1. How much "work" is done at each adjustment (eg, are they simply retying your ligs or doing as much as can be done at each visit).
2. How long does full orthodontic treatment take to complete (it is possible to go in every 4 weeks and still end up with a longer treatment duration than if you went in less often).
3. What type of movement is the orthodontist looking to achieve.
4. What types of auxiliaries are being used (eg. closing loops, power thread, power chain, elastics, etc.)
5. Individual comfort level of the orthodontist in the progress of treatment.

Hope this helps!

[nyeinmon]

my second adjustment is 8 weeks from the first! i think its too long so im gonna make an appointment to get it in 7 weeks. do you think 8 weeks is long?

[Sunny]

Eight weeks is a short time. Unless your teeth are already in perfect position, the archwire will continue working until it does. Where I work the average appointments are 8-12 weeks apart, with many patients only have a check at these adjustments and very little being done.

Good luck with your treatment nyeinmon.