Getting braces is an important step toward a beautiful, straight smile. Patients often ask their orthodontist how long treatment will take. It’s hard to give a single definitive answer, although modern technology allows the specialists at the AESTHETE dental clinic to predict treatment duration and outcomes with a high degree of accuracy.
What Affects the Duration of Braces Treatment
The length of time you wear braces is not a random number—it is a calculated estimate determined by a set of interrelated factors.
The first and main factor is the complexity of the initial clinical situation. Correcting mild crowding of a few teeth takes far less time than treating a severe malocclusion accompanied by significant dental arch deformity. The more extensive the changes, the longer the treatment.
The second critically important aspect is the patient’s age. In childhood and adolescence, bone tissue is more pliable and the dentofacial system is in an active growth phase, which makes it possible to achieve the desired result much faster. In adult patients, tooth movement takes more time and effort because:
- metabolic processes are slower;
- bone tissue is denser;
- jaw growth has been completed.
Treatment duration is also directly influenced by the type of braces chosen. Modern lingual systems, placed on the inner surfaces of the teeth, and self-ligating braces often help optimize the process and, in some cases, shorten it by several months compared with conventional labial options.
Metal braces are especially effective for correcting moderate to severe problems. However, their aesthetics leave much to be desired—they are clearly visible, which many patients dislike. As an alternative, orthodontic appliances made of ceramic and synthetic sapphire are used. But they are less durable than metal models, so their effectiveness is not as high and, accordingly, correcting defects takes longer.
The patient’s role should not be underestimated. Consistently following all orthodontist recommendations is the key to successful treatment and staying on schedule. This includes meticulous oral hygiene, regular visits for system activation and archwire changes, and careful handling of the appliance. Bracket breakages or missing a scheduled orthodontic appointment lead to pauses in treatment or even regression, which inevitably increases the total time the system must be worn.
Average Treatment Duration
Every case is individual, but you can use average timeframes as a general guide. For most patients with typical cases of crowding or minor bite issues, the average time in braces is about 18 to 24 months. In most situations, this period is enough to achieve a stable and predictable result.
In more complex conditions requiring significant intervention—such as a crossbite, marked distal or mesial jaw relationships—treatment may take longer, from two to three years.
In the most severe cases, when orthodontic treatment is combined with surgery (orthognathic surgery), the correction period may exceed three years.
On the other hand, for local and minimal problems, such as aligning one or two teeth, a shorter timeframe may be sufficient—about 6 to 12 months.
It is important to understand that these figures are only guidelines. The treating orthodontist creates an exact treatment plan with estimated timelines after comprehensive diagnostics. They monitor tooth alignment progress, adjust the plan if necessary, and inform the patient if the projected treatment duration changes.
Step-by-Step Orthodontic Treatment Process
Orthodontic correction is a structured process, and each stage has its own purpose and timeframe.
The interaction between the patient and orthodontist begins with diagnostics. The dentist:
- performs an examination;
- takes panoramic radiographs and lateral cephalometric X-rays;
- photographs the face and teeth;
- takes impressions to create plaster models.
This stage is crucial for making an accurate diagnosis and developing a detailed treatment plan, which determines the overall duration. It makes it possible to assess the baseline condition of the dentofacial system.
After diagnostics, the dentist and patient discuss which braces will be used. It is necessary to determine the type and choose the material they will be made from.
The next step is placing the braces. The bonding procedure itself takes a few hours, but this is the point at which the main active treatment phase begins.
The first noticeable changes typically occur within 2–6 months. At this stage, teeth are aligned and rotated, and crowding is relieved. The patient visits the orthodontist regularly so the doctor can adjust archwire tension, add auxiliary elements, and check the condition of ligatures—this ensures continuous, directed pressure on the teeth.
Once the teeth have moved into the correct position, the final stage begins—the retention phase. Its goal is to stabilize the result. Braces are removed, but correction does not end there. To prevent the teeth from shifting back, retainers are placed. Two options are used:
- removable clear polymer aligner-type retainers;
- fixed wire retainers bonded to the back surfaces of the teeth.
Wearing retainers is mandatory, and the retention period usually lasts at least twice as long as the braces phase. In some cases, older patients may need to wear them for life. Ignoring this stage nullifies the results achieved.
How to Safely Speed Up the Process
While it’s impossible to artificially speed up the biological processes of tooth movement, there are ways to make treatment as efficient as possible and avoid delays. The most effective approach is strict adherence to your dentist’s instructions. Regular, thorough hygiene helps prevent gingival inflammation, which can force the dentist to reduce archwire forces and slow treatment. Using recommended oral care tools—interdental brushes, an irrigator, and special toothbrushes—is essential.
Modern orthodontics uses solutions to optimize treatment:
- Micro-osteoperforations are a minimally invasive procedure in which microscopic perforations are made in the bone. This stimulates local metabolic activity and bone remodeling, helping accelerate tooth movement.
- Vibration devices that the patient uses at home for a few minutes a day. It is believed that gentle vibration improves blood circulation in the periodontium and supports faster, more comfortable bone remodeling.
If a bracket comes loose, an archwire breaks, or discomfort appears, you shouldn’t wait for your next scheduled visit. You need to contact the clinic immediately so the issue can be addressed promptly. Disruptions during treatment not only slow progress, but in some cases can cause teeth to shift in the wrong direction. Correcting this will require additional time.
After Braces: How to Maintain a Straight Smile
The day braces come off is long-awaited, but it’s too early to relax. Teeth that have been moved into a new position tend to shift back toward their original alignment. This process is called relapse. To prevent it and закрепить the result achieved through months of effort, a retention phase is required.
The main tool for maintaining results is retainers.
A fixed retainer is a thin wire bonded with a special composite to the inner (lingual) surfaces of the front teeth. It is completely invisible to others and works continuously.
A removable retainer is a clear polymer tray that must be worn at night.
The dentist may combine both types to achieve maximum stability. The duration of retainer wear is determined based on the patient’s individual characteristics.
In addition to wearing retainers, it is important to continue monitoring oral health, maintaining proper care, and visiting the dentist regularly for preventive check-ups. The dentist will monitor the stability of the result and the condition of the retainers themselves. Trays wear out over time, and the wire can debond. Addressing these issues promptly ensures that the teeth remain in the correct anatomical position for many years.
The dental clinic is located in Dubai (UAE), Bluewaters Island. We correct bite problems using different types of braces—labial and lingual, conventional and self-ligating, made of metal, ceramic, and synthetic sapphire. We welcome patients of various ages, from teenagers to older adults.
Questions and Answers
Can braces work faster in mild cases?
Yes, in mild cases, correction with braces usually takes less time. For example, to fix minor crowding or a gap between the front teeth, 6–12 months may be enough. The actual duration depends on the specific clinical situation and the patient’s individual characteristics.
Do aligners straighten teeth faster than braces?
Aligners are used to correct mild to moderate cases, but in complex situations, conventional braces often outperform them in effectiveness and predictability. Treatment speed depends more on case complexity than on the type of system, although aligners may offer greater comfort.
What happens if I miss a dental appointment?
Missing an appointment disrupts the treatment plan and leads to delays. Because of this, braces may work less effectively, and in some cases teeth begin to shift back toward their initial position. This will negate the progress made and require additional time to restore it.
Are there any ways to speed up the process that are worth trying?
The most effective options are strict adherence to your dentist’s recommendations and meticulous oral hygiene. An orthodontist may suggest micro-osteoperforations, which in some cases stimulate accelerated tooth movement. However, any methods should be used only as prescribed and under specialist supervision.
