How Long Do Braces Take For Adults?
Considering getting braces as an adult but concerned about the timeline? We break down the key factors that determine how long braces take.
If you are getting braces after your teen years, you will want the process to go as smoothly and quickly as possible. For a lot of adult braces wearers, the most important question at the top of their minds is the same — how long is this going to take? While the answer is different for everyone, we are breaking down the different factors that contribute to longer or shorter braces wear times. Keep reading to find all the answers to the question: how long do braces take for adults?
How Long Do Braces Take To Straighten My Teeth As An Adult?
To find how how long braces take to straighten your teeth, there are a few factors to examine
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 only person that truly knows how long your braces take is your orthodontist, who will keep you updated with your progress during each adjustment appointment. However, we can still explore the different factors that contribute to the amount of time it will take to straighten your teeth.
How Much Correction is Needed to Straighten Your Teeth?
The most pertinent information that will give you insight as to how long you will need to wear your braces as an adult is the amount of correction required. If you have large gaps in your teeth or your teeth need to be moved a lot, your treatment process may take closer to the 3 year estimate. You can ask your orthodontist how much correction you will likely need and that will be able to give you a rough estimate of how long you will be wearing braces.
Will You Need Bite Correction?
If your dentist suggests that you may need some bite correction, that can add more wear time to your treatment too. Correcting jaw alignment takes a lot of time and is usually completed by using rubber bands of other orthodontic devices like an upper jaw expander or headgear braces. Working in tandem with your braces, these devices will slowly move your jaw into place. Since these often take about as long to realign your jaw as braces take to move your teeth, you can expect to wear your braces longer than without additional jaw alignment devices.
What Type of Braces Will You Be Getting?
Depending on the type of braces you are using—like Invisalign vs. braces—to correct your teeth, the wear time will vary. So, how do alternatives to braces affect your treatment length? First, there are standard metal braces that are visible and use metal brackets to straighten your teeth. Most people will get this type of braces as adults if they need to adjust for gaps or aggressive teeth crowding. Next, there are clear aligners for Invisalign, which tend to work more quickly than metal braces. The third option, lingual braces, are glued to the back of your teeth and can correct minor problems a bit quicker than metal braces. Overall, the type of braces you get depends on how much correction you will need to straighten your teeth.
How Compliant Are You With Your Care Plan?
This is the most important aspect that determines how long you will need to wear your braces. Your compliance is key to straightening your teeth in the fastest time possible. However, if you break your braces and require a replacement, it could set you back a few weeks. It is important to remember that even though your teeth or jaw may look aligned, it doesn’t always mean that your orthodontic treatment is complete. Even after you are finished with braces, most will have to wear a clear retainer after braces to prevent further shifting. Always take the advice of your orthodontist and remember that you can’t rush a perfect smile!
Tips to Get The Best Results Possible From Your Braces
If your goal is to get a perfect smile in the shortest amount of time, follow these care tips
Ask your orthodontist if you have any questions about maintaining your dental hygiene with braces.
Getting braces as an adult can be a bit of a learning curve. Let's find out what habits you can learn to expedite your treatment.
Brush Your Teeth Thoroughly After Eating Anything
Once you get your metal braces, it's time to adopt an intensive brushing and flossing routine. You can’t get by on the standard twice a day brushing routine that is usually recommended by dentists. To maintain compliance and take proper care of your metal braces, you should brush your teeth and floss after any meal or snack. You should also brush if you drink anything other than water. By keeping up with a strict routine, you can achieve your best smile by the time you get your braces removed.
Use Tools Specifically For Cleaning Braces
When flossing with braces, there are some challenges to overcome to really clean around the metal braces themselves. A great tool you can use to clean in between your braces and between your teeth is a floss threader. Floss threaders are available at most drug stores or grocery stores. You can also take advantage of interdental brushes that can clean between your braces and your teeth. Using these tools you can save time and clean your teeth to the absolute best of your ability.
Monitor Your Dietary Restrictions
Another extremely important aspect of taking care of your braces to get the best results is by sticking to the dietary restrictions set by your orthodontist. To avoid damaging your braces and prolonging your wear time, you should follow these restrictions very closely. That means no gum, popcorn, or peanuts that could get stuck between your braces and even cause damage. Should you accidentally cause damage to your braces, you will have to pay a visit to your orthodontist to have them repaired, or learn how to use wax for braces to protect your mouth from any broken wires. Accidentally breaking your braces could set you back weeks in your teeth straightening journey.
If you have questions about how long braces take as an adult or your current corrective care plan, you can always contact Legacy Orthodontics for more information about keeping your braces clean. Remember, improving your smile is a process and you need to take extra special care of your teeth while wearing braces.