Braces are a common orthodontic procedure for adults and children. You may need braces to correct various orthodontic problems, including tooth crowding, jaw problems and crooked teeth. The braces will correct your smile, improve your oral health, and help clean your teeth.

Before fitting your teeth with braces, your dental expert will assess your dental condition and other factors to determine whether the braces are the right treatment. One of the most important questions you will ask when your dentist recommends braces is how long you will need to wear them.

Most people need to be more impressed by the metal appearance of the braces. However, the results produced by this procedure are pleasant and long-lasting. Consulting with a knowledgeable dentist will help ensure that braces are right for you. Additionally, the dentist will ensure proper installation and the right amount of time for a desirable outcome.

The following factors will determine how long your braces will take to correct your smile:

The Exact Reason why you Need Braces

Several dental and oral health issues will create a need for braces. Since each situation is different, the types and severity of your dental issues may determine how long you should wear the braces for effective results. Some of the reasons why your dentist could recommend braces include the following:

  • Overbite and Underbite

If you have an overbite, the upper half of your teeth will stick forward compared to the lower set. On the other hand, an underbite means that the teeth of your lower jaw stick out further than those of your upper jaw. Most people want to get cosmetic braces to correct their smile.

A person with an overbite or overbite may suffer from self-esteem issues due to the crooked smile. The severity of the protrusion of your teeth will dictate the length of your treatment. Often, the treatment will be complete when the upper and lower jaws bite on each other perfectly. Treating your overbite or underbite may take longer with braces than with a person with a few crooked teeth.

  • Open Bite

An open bite is a dental issue with open spaces at the side or front of your teeth when you bite. The spaces could be visible when you chew or smile. When you have an open bite, it may be challenging to chew correctly without tongue thrusting. Your dentist could recommend braces to correct an open bite.

This is because the issue can cause severe complications, like temporomandibular joint disorder.

  • Too Much Space Between the Teeth

Some individuals have too much space between their teeth. These gaps are the main reason why your dentist can recommend braces. The spaces in your teeth can create consciousness, affecting your smile and interaction with others. This is because the gaps make your teeth look uneven. It can be very challenging to clean the spaces between the teeth, predisposing you to dental issues like tooth decay and cavities.

  • Teeth Crowding

Most people pursue orthodontic treatment to correct tooth overcrowding. If there is insufficient space in your mouth for the teeth, you may experience tooth overlapping. Fixing crowded teeth can improve your smile and oral health. Correcting overcrowded teeth can also help avoid cavities.

The severity of the tooth crowding may dictate the amount of time needed for braces to correct your smile. You may need to wear the braces for up to two years and wear retainers after the braces come off.

Type of Braces

There are several types of braces, and the type you choose may impact the duration of your treatment. Your dentist will recommend the best braces for you based on the kind and severity of your condition. Common types of braces include:

  • Metal Braces

Metal or traditional braces are the most common type of braces. These types of braces involve the attachment of the braces to the teeth using a connecting wire. In the past, braces were made of bulky wires and were visible. Advances and technological innovations have made these braces smaller, faster, and more effective in correcting orthodontic issues.

Your orthodontist will fasten the wires that attach your braces every few weeks. Dentists recommend metal braces for more serious conditions like tooth misalignment. Often, you will need to wear dental braces for up to two years for effective results. Traditional braces correct your dental complications faster when you adhere to the instructions given by your orthodontist.

  • Ceramic Braces

The ceramic braces are made of tooth-colored material. These types of braces work similarly to metal braces but are less visible. For patients who do not want lingual braces or Invisalign, ceramic braces are the right option to straighten their teeth. Ceramic braces are a good fit for adolescents or adults who care about the appearance of their smile.

  • Clear Aligners

The clear aligners are clear, removable plastic trays that can be changed every few weeks. You can remove the clear aligners and clean them. Your orthodontist will give you a treatment plan indicating the hours you should have the trays on. Failure to follow the treatment plan could prolong the time needed for treatment. Since these braces are not fitted to the teeth, they may not be a good option for closing spaces between teeth.

  • Lingual Braces

The dentist places lingual braces behind the teeth, the least common type of braces on the market. This is because they need extra skills to fit the braces. Lingual braces offer numerous benefits for adults who do not want visible metal braces. Compared to traditional braces, lingual braces are more effective and correct dental complications faster. Straightening your teeth with lingual braces could take one to three years.

  • Self-Ligating Braces

Self-ligating braces work similarly to metal and ceramic braces and are available in different materials. These braces use a wire to move the teeth into the desired position. Instead of elastic rubber ties, the self-ligating braces use clips to hold the wires in place. The ease of adjustment for these braces shortens the appointments for self-ligating braces.

  • Your Age

Your orthodontist can recommend braces to treat tooth misalignment and other complications, regardless of age. Most people think of adolescents or young children when braces come up. This type of treatment can be effective in adults. However, your age when the orthodontist applies the braces may impact the length of treatment.

Young patients will achieve the desired results faster than their older counterparts. This is because the jaws of adolescents and young children are still growing. Therefore, the teeth will be quick to move to the desired position.

Your Input

You should speak to your orthodontist about your needs and concerns following braces treatment. How well you care for your braces after the treatment could impact the length of the treatment. People who pay close attention to all instructions from the orthodontist may notice results faster. Some aspects of your input that could affect the length of your treatment with braces include:

  • Your Diet

What you consume significantly impacts your oral hygiene and the outcome of your orthodontic procedures. The hardest adjustment you may have to make after getting braces is changing your diet to ensure the right outcome for the procedure. Although wearing braces is not painful, your mouth could feel swollen. Your dentist will recommend that you stick to soft foods.

Chewing on hard foods could irritate your gums and damage your braces. Your braces will be damaged when the wires that support your teeth come loose. When the wires are lost, the braces will no longer be effective in moving your teeth into the desired position. Following the recommended diet keeps your braces in perfect condition. This means that you will notice the results faster.

Lifestyle

You should be active in your treatment plan when the dentist recommends braces. Sometimes, braces may be uncomfortable and less appealing, especially when you have fixed braces. Therefore, the less time you spend on treatment, the better you will achieve your desired smile. The following aspects of your lifestyle could help prevent a prolonged need for braces:

  • Consult your orthodontist regularly for adjustments. Depending on the type of braces you choose, you may need a readjustment every few weeks. This ensures that your braces are recovered. As your teeth continue to move in the right direction, it is important to go for a readjustment.
  • Follow instructions to care for your removable aligners and other appliances.
  • Follow through with your regular dental visits. You must visit your dentist at least once every month for a regular checkup. During these dental visits, your dentist can identify and recommend treatment for dental complications that could interfere with the function of your braces.

Type of Medication

Some medications can impact the rate of tooth movement. Braces aim to move your teeth for a perfect fit. You may have to wear braces longer when you use the following drugs frequently:

  • Aspirin.
  • Ibuprofen.
  • Acetaminophen.
  • Corticosteroids.
  • Immuno-suppressants.

On the other hand, drugs containing vitamin D and thyroid hormones increase the rate at which your teeth move. Before you are fitted with braces, you should inform your orthodontist about your underlying medical conditions and the drugs you could take. You should not stop any medications without consulting a doctor.

Your Health and Dental Hygiene

Your dentist will instruct you on the best ways to care for your teeth when you begin treatment with braces. Common dental hygiene tips when you have braces include:

  • Regular brushing. Brushing your teeth is the most basic form of dental hygiene. With the braces, food particles could get stuck on the brackets. Therefore, you must brush at least twice a day and floss regularly. The dentist will recommend the right type of toothbrush you need to use to avoid damaging the brackets. If your braces are fixed, ensure the toothbrush bristles reach the back of the wires. If you have removable braces, you must follow the proper instructions on how to treat them.
  • Rinse your mouth with salty water. If you experience irritation and discomfort from the braces, rinse your mouth with salty water. This helps keep your mouth clean and relieves mouth sores.

Adopting good oral hygiene practices when you begin the treatment makes it easy to continue after the treatment ends. Failure to practice proper hygiene for your braces could result in the accumulation of food particles that can damage the braces.

When the braces are damaged, they cannot function effectively. You will spend more time with the braces to achieve the desired results. Additionally, the food particles on your braces and teeth can cause other complications like tooth decay and cavities.

Additional Orthodontic Tools

Sometimes, your orthodontic treatment will have multiple aspects. The additional procedures you need to achieve the desired smile may impact the length of our treatment plan for braces. Some additional tools you may need include:

  • Palatal expanders. These tools are placed on the roof of your mouth to widen the jaw. Palatal expanders are recommended for growing children and are used to reduce the duration of braces treatment.
  • Rubber bands. The rubber bands can be used to attach the braces to your jaws for proper jaw alignment.
  • Headgear. You can wear this device over your head, and it connects the braces to your jaws. The headgear is recommended when your misalignment is severe.

Find Los Angeles Dental Services Near Me

A healthy mouth aligns with a healthy mindset and heart. Issues like crooked teeth, overbite, and tooth spacing affect more than your smile. These dental problems can contribute to severe health complications. Braces are a common treatment for crooked and misaligned teeth. Your dentist assesses your situation before determining whether braces are the right option to correct your dental problem.

No specific amount of time is needed for braces to correct your smile. Therefore, the dentist will determine the appropriate duration by assessing the exact factors of your case. Your dental health is a sensitive aspect of your life. Therefore, you will need a skilled dentist to help you achieve the desired outcome.

At Washington Dental, we understand that each orthodontic issue is different. Therefore, we will consider several factors, including your health and the severity of your dental problem, when determining the length of time you need to be in braces. We serve clients seeking expert orthodontic services in Carson, Los Angeles, Lomita and Torrance, CA. Call us today at 310-217-1507 for a consultation and to discuss your needs.