If you are thinking about braces because your teeth are crooked, crowded, have spaces, or you would like a more attractive smile, you probably want to know how long it will take to see the changes you are hoping for.
So, how long do braces take? According to the American Association of Orthodontists, most people wear braces for about 12 to 24 months. Some people may need braces for less time, while others may need them longer, depending on how much the teeth need to move and whether the bite also needs correction.
The exciting part is that you do not have to wait until the end of treatment to start seeing a difference. Your smile changes gradually along the way.
At McDonough Orthodontics in Murray, UT, Dr. McDonough evaluates your teeth and bite before treatment begins. He can then give you an estimate of how long your individual treatment is expected to take.
What Determines How Long Braces Take?
The 12-to-24-month range is a helpful starting point, but every smile is different.
If you have a few teeth that need relatively small adjustments, your treatment may take less time. If you have significant crowding, several teeth that need repositioning, spaces to close, or a bite that needs correction, treatment can take longer.
Age and growth can also play a role, particularly for children and teens who are still developing. Dr. McDonough takes these factors into account when planning treatment and estimating how long it is likely to take.
This is why your treatment may be shorter or longer than a friend’s or sibling’s, even if your smiles seem similar. Your treatment time is based on the changes needed for your individual smile.
Seeing Your Smile Change
Although your total braces treatment might last a year or two, that does not mean you have to wait that long to enjoy seeing changes.
Your teeth move gradually throughout treatment, so you may begin noticing differences well before your braces treatment is complete. A tooth that used to stand out may begin lining up with the others. Crowding may 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 the changes even easier to see. When you compare your smile several months into treatment with where you started, you may be surprised by how much has already changed.
Helping Your Braces Treatment Stay on Track
While you cannot control exactly how quickly your teeth move, you can do your part to help treatment progress as planned.
Following Dr. McDonough’s instructions and wearing elastics as directed, if they are part of your treatment, can help keep your teeth moving in the right direction. McDonough Orthodontics also uses digital orthodontic monitoring to follow your progress and determine when an in-office adjustment may be needed.
Taking care of your braces can also help keep your treatment moving toward the result you are waiting to see.
When Is Braces Treatment Complete?
There can be an exciting point during treatment when you look in the mirror and realize just how much your smile has changed. Your teeth may already look straight, but Dr. McDonough 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 came here wondering, “How long do braces take?” the general answer is about 12 to 24 months for most people. Your own treatment could be shorter or longer, depending on your teeth, bite, and the changes you would like to make.
At McDonough Orthodontics, you do not have to rely on a general estimate. Dr. McDonough can evaluate your teeth and bite, talk with you about the smile you would like to achieve, and give you a better idea of how long your individual braces treatment is expected to take.
If you are ready to start seeing what braces can do for your smile, schedule a free smile evaluation with McDonough Orthodontics in Murray, UT.