Orthodontic treatment with braces is aimed at correcting tooth position and bite. Its duration is always individual and depends on a number of clinical and behavioural factors. Below we explain how long bite correction with braces may take and what influences the total treatment time.
Preparation and Placement
The initial stage includes comprehensive diagnostics: an orthopantomogram, a cephalometric X-ray, and creation of digital 3D models or plaster casts of the jaws. The orthodontist:
- analyses the collected data;
- determines the type of malocclusion;
- draws up a step-by-step treatment plan.
A mandatory prerequisite is full mouth sanitation: treatment of tooth decay, professional cleaning, and management of any gum inflammation.
The actual placement of braces takes about 1.5–2 hours. The doctor carefully etches the enamel, applies adhesive and bonds each bracket in a precisely calculated position, then places and secures the orthodontic archwire.
How Braces Work
A fixed appliance works thanks to the constant gentle pressure created by the orthodontic archwire, which is made from a shape-memory alloy. The orthodontist engages and activates the wire so that it “wants” to return to its original form. Being attached to the brackets, the wire transmits force to the teeth through them, gradually moving the teeth into the correct position.
Tooth movement occurs slowly, at a rate of about 0.5–1 mm per month, and this largely determines the overall length of treatment.
Treatment Duration
On average, orthodontic correction with braces takes 18–24 months. The exact duration depends on the complexity of the case.
Minor issues — mild crowding in the anterior region or small diastemas (spaces between teeth) — are usually corrected within 10–14 months.
Moderate malocclusions, including pronounced crowding, crossbite or distal occlusion, typically require 1.5–2 years of brace wear.
Complex cases, associated with tooth extractions, correction of mesial bite or significant changes to the dental arch shape, may take 30–36 months.
The period initially quoted by the orthodontist is a forecast. It can be adjusted in the course of treatment.
Types of Braces and Their Influence on Treatment Time
The choice of a specific type of braces has less effect on the total duration of treatment than many people think.
Labial metal braces, placed on the outer surface of the teeth, remain popular due to their reliability and predictable results.
Ceramic or sapphire braces are less noticeable aesthetically, but may be less efficient in very complex cases.
Self-ligating braces, with clips instead of elastic ligatures, can theoretically reduce treatment time by 2–4 months thanks to lower friction and more physiological tooth movement.
Lingual systems, attached to the inner surfaces of the teeth, are completely invisible, but require a longer adaptation period and make oral hygiene more challenging.
The key factor is not the type of appliance, but the accuracy of bracket positioning and the orthodontist’s expertise.
Care and Adjustments
After the braces are fitted, much depends on the patient.
You must pay close attention to oral hygiene: use an orthodontic toothbrush, single-tuft brush, interdental brushes and an irrigator. Plaque accumulation provokes gingivitis and enamel demineralisation, which may force the orthodontist to pause treatment.
You should avoid the following foods:
- nuts, rusks and other very hard products that can bend or break the archwire;
- sticky, chewy foods — caramels, nougat, chewing gum — as they can cause brackets to debond.
Regular visits to the orthodontist are critical for progress. Their frequency depends on the type of braces. Appointments are needed so the doctor can monitor the appliance, replace or adjust archwires and make any necessary corrections.
Possible Difficulties
Unforeseen issues can arise during treatment and extend its duration. The most common problem is a debonded bracket. When this happens, the affected tooth immediately drops out of the treatment scheme, so it is important to see your orthodontist as soon as possible.
Individual characteristics of bone metabolism also play a role: in some patients, teeth move more slowly because the jawbone remodels and heals at a lower rate.
Poor patient compliance is one of the main reasons for delays. This includes missed appointments, failure to follow dietary restrictions and neglect of oral hygiene leading to gum inflammation.
After Braces Are Removed
Finishing the active phase of treatment is only half the journey. A retention period follows, the goal of which is to stabilise the result and prevent relapse. For this, two types of retainers are used:
Fixed retainers – a thin metal wire bonded to the inner surface of the teeth.
Removable retainers – clear plastic aligner-type trays.
The retention period usually lasts at least twice as long as the active treatment phase. A fixed retainer is often recommended for lifelong wear to guarantee long-term stability.
Retreatments
Relapse — when teeth gradually move back towards their original position after treatment — is not uncommon, especially if retention protocols are not followed.
In many such cases, repeat treatment with orthodontic appliances takes less time — about 12 months. This is because the bone and the periodontal ligaments “remember” the correct tooth position. However, if there have been significant changes in the bite or new problems have arisen, the duration may be comparable to the initial treatment.
Realistic Timelines and Expectations
Correction of malocclusion is a non-linear process.
During the first 6–9 months, the most visible changes occur: crowding is relieved and gaps close.
The following 12–18 months are spent on bite detailing: precise positioning of each tooth and fine-tuning of the jaw relationship.
This phase may seem less dynamic, but it is exactly what ensures the stability and functionality of the result. At every stage the patient needs:
- trust in the orthodontist;
- patience and careful adherence to all recommendations.
AESTHETE Dental Clinic is located in Dubai (UAE), on Bluewaters Island. We provide orthodontic treatment with braces, and the duration of therapy is determined individually in each case.
