The average time frame an adult will wear braces can be anywhere between 6 months to 2 years, depending on the type of treatment you choose and the severity of your presenting problems. There is a common misconception that certain treatment options are faster, but this is incorrect.
On average, you'll stay for about two years with metal braces. The maximum you can stay with this type of braces is approximately three years. Needless to say, it depends on the dental problem you have. Also, you can wear these braces for a few months if you have a minor dental problem.
Age of the Patient
As a rule, the younger a patient is, the less time they need to wear braces. Because their jaws are still growing and teeth are on the move, kids may get their teeth straight with just 6-12 months of treatment. Adult teeth generally take longer — up to 3 years.
You should only expect to wear your braces for a maximum of three years. While this may appear to be an excessively long period with braces on your teeth, please make an effort to understand that this is the worst-case scenario. Two years is an approximate time of how long your braces will last.
Usually, it takes months or even years to push your pearly whites into place, and it takes time for them to get used to their new position. While it's normal for teeth to shift after braces, it's also essential to follow your orthodontist's recommendations to keep your smile in place.
In short, the answer is yes. Previously, patients were told they only had to wear the retainer for a year or two, but advancements in the field of orthodontics have proven that optimal results rest heavily on lifelong wear. Naturally, you won't have to wear it 24/7 for the decades to come.
While it's true that nearly 1 in 5 orthodontic patients can be subject to some relapse after the three-year mark, it's not impossible for teeth shifting and relapse to occur earlier.
The average orthodontic treatment plan is anywhere from 18 months to three years. It's different for everyone, but anything beyond a four-year treatment plan warrants getting second, third and fourth opinions.
Generally speaking, a traditional fixed brace will be used for anywhere between six months and two years. Removable braces can take less time but are often worn before and after treatment with a fixed brace.
The minimum time to wear braces can be as little as several months to fix a basic crooked tooth or spacing issue through to 36 months for both metal braces and ceramic braces. Ceramic braces use tooth-coloured brackets and arch wires so they are less conspicuous than metal braces.
Is It Normal To Still Have Braces On 5 Years Later? Even the most complicated orthodontic problems are normally fixed with braces within 24-36 months. It is not normal to still have braces on after 5 years of treatment.
The biggest risk of leaving braces on for years is the damage caused by dental plaque. Unless a patient is especially meticulous with their oral hygiene, eventually, their teeth will begin to rot. Bacteria may also attack gum tissue, leading to gum disease.
Getting Braces as an Adult Is Not a Bad Thing
Don't let yourself or others prevent you from getting braces as an adult. It's never too late to get the teeth you always dreamed of. Don't wait until matters are worst either if you know you have dental issues that are causing medical discomfort.
With fixed braces, brackets are cemented to your teeth and wires are attached to them to create gentle pressure to shift your teeth. New bone tissue must form around the teeth in their new positions to hold them in place. Therefore, treatment cannot be rushed.
Both adults and children can wear braces, but it is critical for the involved orthodontist to know the differences in treating an adult versus a child. A child up to approximately age 20 or 22 still experiences some jaw growth as the braces are moving the teeth.
Braces for Older Adults
But teeth continue to shift as we age, so there's never a time when braces won't work. Braces adjust teeth by putting pressure on them, and this pressure works even after bones have stopped growing.
Depending on your requirements, your orthodontist will suggest you the right time for braces tightening. Your orthodontist will usually fix a check-up appointment every 4-6 weeks since that is the average time needed to tighten braces. Although here are some signs that indicate when you need braces tightening.
Whether you're a kid or an adult, braces will make you feel tender at first, but it won't last. At worst, you'll have some soreness in your teeth, and chewing may be a challenge for a few days after each treatment. But it subsides.
While every patient is different, you should generally have your braces adjusted or tightened every 4-10 weeks. Keep in mind, though – your orthodontist will personalise your braces treatment to your individual needs, so there's no exact adjustment time that will suit everyone.
Your smile will look different – While this may seem obvious, it's often a shock for people how straight and different their smile looks once braces are off. Remember, not only do braces help to straighten teeth, but they also work to align the jaw, which can change how you smile and the shape of your smile.
Reasons for Orthodontic Relapse
Failure to wear a retainer as recommended can lead to orthodontic relapse, but it's hardly the only cause. Other causes, as chronicled in this study, include: Poor rest oral posture. Mouth breathing.
The cost of braces can vary depending on a number of factors, including the type of braces you choose and the severity of your bite. However, in general, the cost of getting braces again will be lower than it was the first time around.
For most orthodontic treatment, a majority of orthodontists recommend wearing a retainer for at least 10 years after you get your braces off or finish your aligner treatment. It's perfectly normal for many people to wear their retainers for the rest of their lives.
The first consequence of not wearing your retainer after orthodontic treatment is that your teeth may shift back to their original positions. You spent months or even years getting orthodontic treatment, only to watch the results fade.