Why the Process Takes so Long. Because braces are moving teeth that are attached to bone, the process cannot be rushed. Bone is solid and teeth must be gently guided into new positions with consistent pressure.
You can't rush your brand new smile! Though everyone's orthodontic needs are different, most people will need to wear braces for anywhere from 1 to three years until their teeth are moved into place. Many orthodontists will estimate anywhere from 18 months to 2 years depending on how much correction you require.
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.
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.
Because braces are moving teeth that are attached to bone, the process cannot be rushed. Bone is solid and teeth must be gently guided into new positions with consistent pressure. If the process were rushed, serious and perhaps permanent damage may occur to your bone, teeth, or gums.
The more compliant you are with these directions, the faster you treatment will go. Dr. Buchanan uses space -age wires developed by the NASA space program that are activated by heat. If you rinse with hot water and use hot water in your water pik and drink hot soups and beverages, your teeth will move faster.
Patients with more severe orthodontic issues may wear braces for up to 24 months while those with minor problems may complete their treatment in less than 12 months. Let's take a look at the factors that play a role in orthodontic treatment time.
The answer, it's never too late to get braces! Getting braces is usually associated with children and teenagers, but we are here to inform you that there is no age limit on getting 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.
As long as you're healthy, there's no age limit for braces
I have patients in their 70s and 80s. You're not too old for braces as long as you're healthy.
While a considerable number of children get braces between the ages of 12 and 14, plenty of kids don't begin orthodontic treatment until they're in their mid-to-late teens.
The best time for a child to get braces is when their baby teeth have fallen out and the majority of their permanent teeth have grown in. This is typically between the ages of 10 and 14. However, the exact time depends on the status of the teeth.
We have a lot of patients ask how much braces hurt on a scale of 1-10. The truth is, the initial placement of your braces does not hurt at all! It is common to experience a dull soreness for a few days after your first braces appointment.
With either treatment, more crooked teeth take longer to straighten than minor crookedness. However, certain studies have shown that Invisalign treatment is much faster than braces. On average, Invisalign takes about 6 – 18 months, while metal braces take about 20 – 24 months.
In short, no, you are never too old for orthodontic treatment.
There's no age limit on who can get them, so having braces as an adult is certainly possible. And there's no time like the present! If you've talked to someone about getting braces but you still aren't sure they're the right treatment for you, then schedule a consultation at Evolution Orthodontics.
About one in five orthodontic patients is over the age of 21. Getting braces as an adult is often a more complex and involved process than it is for younger patients, largely because adult bones are less malleable and no longer growing. Older oral tissues also tend to take longer to adjust to newly positioned teeth.
How can this orthodontic treatment affect your facial shape? Orthodontic treatment can not only improve your tooth alignment but also have an effect on the positioning and form of your skeletal features—like your jaw—ultimately resulting in a slight change to your facial shape.
Fortunately, the discomfort associated with wearing braces tends to be relatively minor. Most patients find that within six months, they no longer notice that their braces are there.
The discomfort typically disappears within four days, and braces pain rarely lasts longer than a week.
Clean and healthy gums are more likely to move faster allowing you to get your braces off earlier. Keep the area between the brace and teeth clean and free of plaque build up. Flossing between teeth and brushing your gums daily will keep your mouth healthy.
Do bottom teeth move faster than the top teeth with braces? Not necessarily. In general, how fast your teeth move with braces is different for everyone and depends on the treatment type and the severity and individual characteristics of a patient's malocclusion.
Falling behind can lead to tooth decay and gum swelling, which slow down your orthodontic treatment. Plus, if you're not adjusting an expander or wearing your rubber bands, your teeth aren't going to move on time. Your teeth just don't move as fast as expected.