How long do you have to wear braces?

When your dentist recommends that you get braces, there are many questions that go through your mind. The most obvious one is how long you’ll be expected to wear the braces. The reality is that the average amount of time for braces to effectively do their job will depend on a variety of factors. The shortest braces treatment for one person might not be the same for someone with different circumstances.

The Type of Braces You Use

Not all braces are created equal. While most of us may picture a mouth full of metal when someone brings up the topic of braces, that’s not always the case. Wearers have a couple of different options when it comes to the type of braces that they wear.

Standard Braces

Standard or traditional braces are made of metal. They help to correct several different dental issues, including spacing, underbites, overbites, crossbites, open bites, and crowding. Traditional braces are permanently set onto each individual tooth and connected via a metal rod and rubber bands. Standard braces are worn for an average of 12 to 36 months.

Invisalign

An alternative to traditional braces are clear, removable braces such as Invisalign. These provide the benefit of being very discreet and are easy to wear. Invisalign, alongside other brands, offer custom-molded clear plastic aligners that straighten the teeth over time. These clear options fix dental issues like underbites, overbites, crossbites, spacing, and crowding. Unlike traditional braces where you’ll get adjusted every month or so, you’ll get new clear aligners every few weeks. Full treatment can last from a few months to a few years.

Your Current Smile

One of the biggest factors that is going to play a role in how much time you spend in braces is the state of your current smile. Braces are designed to move your teeth and create necessary spacing. Those who have slight issues with their teeth are going to spend much less time than those with severe misalignment issues.

One of the shortest braces treatments a person will have will be around six months. This is very popular for clear aligners that are simply moving your teeth a short distance. Most people who wear these short-term braces are correcting slight gaps and overcrowding.

Contrary to the shortest time to have braces, the longest time frames can last up to about three years. People who fall into this category have severe issues with their teeth alignment. Many also don’t follow the necessary instructions to ensure fast results.

Your Age

It’s a generally accepted fact that children can realign their teeth faster than adults. This is because children are still dealing with a growing jaw and teeth. After people exit the teen years and head into the adult years, it typically takes longer to realign the teeth. This is because adult teeth are no longer growing to the extent that a child’s teeth are. Adults can expect to take a couple months longer than a child who has the same level of misalignment with their teeth.

Patient Compliance

The average amount of time for braces is highly dependent on a patient’s compliance. When you first get your braces, a skilled orthodontist will instruct you on how to properly use and take care of your braces. If you are mindful and consistent with your compliance practices, you can ensure your treatment goes smoothly. If you fail to comply with the necessary practices for maintenance and wearing, you can prolong the amount of time you’ll be in braces. For example, skipping wearing your Invisalign braces for days at a time can greatly set back your success with treatment.
The Medications You’re Taking

It may seem a little odd at first to consider your medications when talking about the amount of time that you’ll spend in braces. But, it has been shown that certain medications can impact the rate at which teeth move in braces. NSAIDs, including aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen, all have been shown to slow the movement of teeth. So do estrogen, fluorides, immunosuppressants, and corticosteroids. On the other hand, certain medications and vitamins can enhance the rate of movement. Some of these include Vitamin D and thyroid hormone.

As you can see, the amount of time that you’ll spend in braces is going to depend on a variety of factors. By understanding these factors, you can set yourself up for the quickest possible time spent in braces. Always be sure to consult an orthodontist to get a customized estimate for how long you’ll need to stay in braces. If you’re in the Southfield, Michigan option and have questions about braces, be sure to contact us at one of our three Fortson Dentistry locations.