If (or when) you happen to need metal braces, you’ll likely want to plan your treatment schedule. That’s only natural – mapping will make your dental work smoother. Just note that you’ll face a question during your planning: How long do braces take to straighten teeth? To address it rightly, your Amityville dentist is here to help you out. Just keep reading to learn how long braces may take to align your smile.
How Long Do Braces Take to Straighten Teeth?
Metal braces take about 1-3 years to straighten a patient’s smile. That said, many factors can impact whether you need them for more or less time. The most relevant ones include:
Severity of Issues
How long you need braces will partly depend on your orthodontic issues. More severe problems will take longer to treat than mild ones.
For example, say you’re suffering from a crooked smile. Aligning it may only take a year if the grin isn’t too misaligned. On the other hand, very crowded teeth that stick out (or are spaced apart) will likely need braces for the entire three years.
Similar thoughts apply to misaligned bites. If you need braces to correct your bite, treatment will take longer than it would if the issue was just misaligned teeth.
Your Age
Another factor to note would be your age. Depending on how many years you’ve lived, treatment could be short or long.
The simple truth is that orthodontic work is quicker for younger patients. Since kids have jawbones that are still developing, manipulating their teeth is often a fast and easy process. That means the aligning process will run longer for an older teen, adult, or senior.
Extra Orthodontic Tools
While metal braces can work alone, some patients have to get “extra” items alongside them. Whether that applies to you or not will affect your treatment time.
On top of braces, an orthodontist may suggest a patient get other orthodontic tools. Such items could include rubber bands, palatal expanders, and even headgear. When such accessories are needed, the time with braces tends to increase.
How to Shorten Your Time With Braces
To make your time with braces as short as possible, remember to do the following:
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene: When you brush twice daily and floss once daily, you’ll be less likely to have oral issues that disrupt treatment.
- See a Dentist Often: To avoid issues that delay treatment, please try to see your dentist every six months for checkups and cleanings.
- Get Needed Repairs: If your braces break, quickly get them repaired by an orthodontist.
While braces take time to straighten teeth, that journey doesn’t have to be long. Just remember the tips above – they’ll put you on a shorter path to a straight smile!
About the Practice
Amityville Orthodontics is based in Amityville, NY. Led by the amazing Dr. Justyna Balicka, our practice is truly dedicated to helping patients’ smiles thrive. We thus offer a wide range of grin-aligning treatments, including metal braces, Invisalign aligners, and retainers. Our team is also ready and able to handle your orthodontic emergencies as needed. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (631)-201-8100.