“Are we there yet?”
“Are we there yet?”
“Are we there yet?”
If you’ve ever been on a family road trip or just down to Walt Disney World, odds are good you know what it’s like to hear this question. But when it comes to orthodontic care, kids aren’t the only ones who want to know when they are going to get there! Teens and adults are just as curious about how long braces take.
No matter your stage of life, you can benefit from the right orthodontic care for you. That’s just as true of adults as it is for kids. That said, the experience is a little bit different for everyone. While nobody can estimate exactly how long treatment will take, there are several things that can affect the length of treatment.
Let’s take a closer look at the facts on braces timelines!
Treatment Factors That Affect Orthodontic Care Timeframes
Several things influence braces treatment lengths:
1. Age
Age is the biggest factor that can make orthodontic treatment a little bit faster. In general, younger patients will see the fastest results. Two-phase treatment that starts early on in life tends to be the fastest, while teens get a timeline that takes a bit longer, young adults take longer than that, and mature adults take the longest.
That said, it’s never too late to get the healthy smile you want. The difference caused by age usually works out to only a few months or so. It also doesn’t just keep getting longer and longer across life. We’ve had a number of patients in their 60s who’ve seen dramatic improvement in their smile in just a few short years.
2. Orthodontic Condition
Tooth gaps and misalignment can present in several distinct ways. Some of these are more complicated than others. The more pronounced a misalignment is, the longer it will usually take to fix. Some orthodontic issues are so extensive, they can only be solved by braces. Removable aligners simply won’t work.
When you visit Beauchamp Orthodontics, the orthodontic process starts with a complete checkup that will help put your treatment options in context. Dr. Beauchamp will explain precisely what she sees and how a stint with metal braces or aligners can help you. You’ll have all the facts so you can make an informed decision.
3. Treatment Option Used
While some severe orthodontic conditions can only be treated with braces, most patients have their choice of either braces or clear plastic aligners. Adults and image-conscious teens alike love aligners: they’re discreet and removable. But which one actually gets the job done faster?
Even when they aren’t the only option, braces shave a few months of treatment time off the schedule for some patients. Dr. Beauchamp will look at the angle of teeth and how crowded they are to make a recommendation. Some patients still prefer the aesthetic benefits and convenience of removable aligners, after all.
When it comes to an Invisalign® timeline, Port Orange patients are in luck. Most people will find that their results with Invisalign® are just as fast as with braces. Plus, you can remove Invisalign® aligners to clean them more easily or to avoid damage when you play sports. Even people who see you every day might not realize you use them!
Average Timeframes For Orthodontic Treatment
Here’s a ballpark estimate of orthodontic treatment timelines based on age:
- Younger Teens: Teens who’ve gotten an early start with orthodontic care and whose condition isn’t extremely severe can expect to be in treatment for about 18 to 24 months. Bones are still developing, so teeth move more freely compared to patients in other stages of life.
- Older Teens & Young Adults: Bone remodeling tapers off in the twenties and basically concludes by age 30, so younger adults still have a lot of advantages. Patients who’ve had good dental hygiene and overall oral health can complete their course of treatment in about two years.
- Mature Adults: Adults aged 30 and older may require a bit more care, but they can still get terrific results with help from a Port Orange orthodontist. Treatment usually takes about 2.5 years, though it can be a little more or less. Sometimes, pre-existing dental or gum issues should get attention before treatment begins.
How Can You Speed Up Orthodontic Treatment?
In Port Orange, braces duration doesn’t have to be a hassle. There’s always a way to speed things up! For starters, you may be eligible for same-day braces, where immediately after your new patient exam and evaluation, we’ll get straight to at least the first steps of the process.
Once your treatment has begun, it all comes down to following your orthodontist’s instructions thoroughly.
For example, if you’ve got orthodontic elastics (also called orthodontic rubber bands), you’ll be instructed to wear them 24/7 as much as possible. For Invisalign® aligners, aim for a minimum of 20 hours of daily use – 22 is even better. Once you get braces off, you’ll have a retainer you’ll need to wear for a set amount of time to help ensure your teeth stay secure in their new position.
Schedule your consultation today to learn more or get started.
