Our Grand Rapids orthodontists often get asked by patients how long they’ll have to have metal or ceramic braces on their teeth. It’s a fair question, though the amount of time someone will be depends heavily on several factors that are unique to that person. Ultimately, it’s determined on a case-by-case basis.
Here’s what you need to know about the .
Key Influences on Orthodontic Treatment Time
As mentioned above, each person's orthodontic journey is unique, and the length of treatment can vary widely depending on individual circumstances. From your age and the complexity of your dental issues to the number of steps it takes to achieve the desired outcome, understanding these elements can give you a clearer picture of what to expect.
Generally, our orthodontists will take the following into consideration:
- Age
- Degree of teeth misalignment and bite issues
- Goals set by you and our team for how your smile should look
- Your commitment to treatment (not missing or delaying checkup visits)
Seeing a Dentist vs. Trained Orthodontists
Our orthodontists will always recommend that you seek out the proper professional when it comes to straightening teeth. Beware of general dentists who promise perfect teeth for less time and money. General dentists lack the additional 2-3 years of specialized education needed to move teeth into optimal alignment. This means that they could move your teeth in such a way as to introduce new bite problems that will then have to be corrected by an orthodontist.
Read More → 4 Reasons to Choose Orthodontists Over Dentists
Dentists may also only be concerned with moving your front teeth, which doesn’t solve bite alignment issues with back teeth. While fixing only the front teeth takes less time, it doesn’t fix a misaligned bite that could be causing you pain.
Earliest Treatment Timeline: 12 Months
The easiest cases are the ones where all the adult teeth have come through the gum line and don’t need to be removed to resolve crowding. When the bite is normal and there are no issues with the jaw, this also eliminates the need for orthodontic appliances such as palatal expanders or .
Adult orthodontic patients may be able to accomplish this treatment scenario though it should be noted that wearing braces can take slightly longer for those outside of their teenage years due to the jaw no longer growing and the increased density of the bone.
Most Common Treatment Timeline: 12 to 18 Months
The majority of the patients we treat wear braces between 12 and 18 months. Orthodontic appliances may need to be used to resolve any crowding of the teeth. There may also be slight issues with bite, such as an or posterior cross-bite. The patient won’t need teeth removed to achieve their best smile.
Extended Treatment Timeline: 18 to 24 Months
For patients with moderate to severe crowding, your treatment will take approximately 18 to 24 months. Orthodontic treatment also takes longer if you need a tooth extracted and the remaining teeth in your smile moved accordingly to close gaps. Some patients may also not have enough jaw space to accommodate all their teeth, which complicates treatment.
Keep in mind that all of this information is meant to give you a general idea of how long treatment could take. To get an accurate timeline for , you’ll need to consult with our orthodontists.
Discuss Your Orthodontic Goals With Us
Our , are dedicated to helping patients achieve their best smiles through quality orthodontic services. If you are interested in learning more about getting started with treatment for juniors, teens, or adults, call Armbrecht & Wierenga Orthodontics today at (616) 455-4800.
This blog post has been updated.