How Long Will I Have to Wear Braces

Typically, dental braces may have to be worn for a period of one year to two years. This isn’t a hard and fast rule however, and your braces treatment may last for longer than this time, or even lesser, depending on a number of factors.

Broadly, the duration of braces treatment depends on the severity of the problem. If you have complicated orthodontic issues like a severely misaligned bite, you may need long term treatment to adequately correct the problem. However, if your orthodontic issues are minor, like narrowing a gap between your two front teeth, then your orthodontist may recommend a shorter duration of treatment. If you have major orthodontic problems that need time to be corrected, there may not be much you can do to reduce the amount of time it takes to complete you treatment.

The length of the treatment will depend on a number of other specific orthodontic factors, like the distance the teeth have to travel to get to their desired position. If there are large gaps between the teeth or severe crookedness where the teeth have to be slowly pushed into place, then the duration of your treatment is obviously going to be longer, than if the gap is smaller.

The health of the teeth is also a major factor in how quickly your orthodontic treatment is completed. This is why it’s important to begin to address any dental problems like cavities or gum inflammation before you begin treatment. Even when your braces have been fitted, you must continue to keep these clean and maintain proper oral hygiene. Brush and floss after every meal, and take care to clean your braces regularly. Use a separate toothbrush to clean in between your braces. Ask your orthodontist to prescribe an antibacterial mouthwash that you can use after every meal to rinse out any bacteria that can cause cavities. The possibility for dental decay is one of the reasons orthodontists advise against eating sweet foods and beverages. Sugars can create acids that can attack tooth enamel, leading to decay. 

The younger the person, the lesser the amount of time he or she may have to fitted with braces. Young children may require wearing braces for a lesser amount of time than older adults. Typically, braces treatment is not recommended until a child reaches the age of 10 or 12. However, by the age of 7, orthodontic issues can become obvious and therefore, your orthodontist will begin basic prepping work to prepare for braces treatment. This can reduce the time the braces have to be worn. Adults who have to wear braces can expect to wear these for a longer duration of time. That’s because adults bones are not expected to grow anymore, and adults may also need other aids to complete their treatment.
The type of braces you wear can also impact the amount of time you have to wear them.  Metal braces are stronger, and may help reposition the teeth faster. Ceramic braces may take a little more time.