How Long Do I Need To Wear Braces

One Of Our Top Questions About Braces. At South Surrey Smiles, we answer a lot of questions. Probably the most common one of all comes from people considering braces:

How Long Do I Need To Wear Braces?

It is a tough question to answer without taking a thorough look. What it really boils down to is a series of factors that we assess in each individual diagnosis. Some of the things considered:

Severity

This is really the biggest determining factor in the length of time for braces. We deal with a variety of malocclusions. Sometimes the upper jaw grows more than the lower or vice versa. We look at overbites, overjets, crossbites, underbites, crowding, spacing, impacted teeth, rotated teeth and more. Often times, there are a variety of these issues that need to be corrected. Treatment plans vary based on the problem at hand. Some issues take longer to correct than others. At South Surrey Smiles, we will explain everything related to your customized treatment plan at your initial consultation (including your estimated timeline).

Age

Fortunately, braces are becoming more common and acceptable for adults. Stigma should not prevent someone from attaining the smile they’ve always wanted. Adults, however, are done growing so they may not have as many treatment options as children who are still growing. We like to start evaluating children at age 7 because if early intervention is necessary, it can prevent complicated orthodontic problems down the road and can avoid things like surgery. That being said, this is not the case for everyone. Many adults just have a few crooked teeth to sort out in which case the treatment is almost the same. Treatment time can be a little longer for adults because their bone is of higher density, so moving the teeth can be a little slower.

Commitment

Orthodontic treatment comes with responsibility. Attending regular appointments, dedication to oral hygiene, avoiding hard & sticky foods, and following specific instructions such as elastic wear is important. Patients who follow these instructions tend to stay on track with their treatment and sometimes even finish treatment early! For those who fail to follow the instructions, their treatment will not move along quite as smoothly and they may be looking at delayed treatment times.

As you can see, there are several factors that affect the treatment and there is no hard and fast formula that we can offer. Generally speaking, treatments take between 18-24 months but that will depend on the patient’s age, the severity of the condition, and the commitment level.

At South Surrey Smiles, we love to help our patients, young or old, get the smile they’ve always dreamed of. If you have questions about whether or not braces are right for you, book a consultation with our incredible team!