Did you just get braces from Booth Orthodontics? If so, we bet you’re wondering when you will get your braces off. Although we love the art of straightening teeth, we know that you’re anxious to see your brand new smile as soon as possible. 

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to how long you’ll wear braces, but our team in Homer Glen is here to tell you all the factors that go into this process, as well as the many benefits of wearing braces. Keep reading to learn more!

What Factors Affect My Treatment Time? 

When it comes to orthodontic treatment, every smile has its own unique treatment plan, and that means treatment times are different for everyone, too. While there may be many factors that affect how long you’ll wear braces, these are the most common.

#1 Age

Our Booth Orthodontics team believes that everyone deserves a beautiful smile, no matter how old they are. We offer treatment plans to kids, teens, and adults alike! However, depending on your age, the time you spend in braces could change. 

Kids: According to the American Association of Orthodontics, children should visit an orthodontist as early as age seven for their first checkup. Early intervention allows Dr. Ryan to determine whether your child needs two-phase treatment, which requires two rounds of braces over a longer period of time – but don’t worry! The results are worth it. 

Teens: The most common age for braces falls in the teenage years. That’s because your teen has all of their adult teeth, and their jaw is still flexible enough for orthodontic treatment to take effect. Teens usually require the least amount of time in braces. 

Adults: If you’re over the age of 18, your treatment might take longer than average. That’s because your jaw is more permanent than your child or teen’s jaw, so treatment requires extra effort to correct misalignment. 

#2 Compliance

Taking care of your braces is a huge responsibility and can affect your treatment time in the long run. If you stay compliant with Dr. Ryan’s instructions, you may shorten your time spent in braces! If you don’t follow all instructions, you could extend it by accident. 

Keep these tips in mind while you’re wearing braces so you can keep your treatment time as short as possible: 

Keep your appointments: 

It’s essential to your treatment plan to attend every orthodontic appointment you can. Dr. Ryan needs to meet with you once every 6-8 weeks to assess your progress and your body’s reaction to braces. 

Sometimes things come up, and that’s okay! Just let us know as soon as possible so we can reschedule your appointment and keep your treatment plan on track. 

Follow Dr. Ryan’s Instructions: 

Part of following Dr. Ryan’s instructions means you care for your braces or Invisalign appliances. By avoiding sticky or crunchy foods that can weaken the bond strength of your brackets, you can decrease your treatment time overall. 

Sometimes brackets come loose even when we do our best to keep them safe, but you must schedule another appointment with Dr. Ryan as soon as possible to fix the issue. Your braces won’t work while the brackets aren’t glued down, so a broken bracket or wire could increase treatment time.  

#3 Reasons for Treatment

Whether you’re treating your smile for an aesthetic touch-up or a severe malocclusion, your treatment goals play a role in how long you’ll wear braces. If you’re a patient with minor orthodontic issues, you may only wear braces for a short amount of time. If you have more complex problems, however, you might be in braces longer than average. 

Ask Dr. Ryan about your orthodontic condition. This may give you a better idea of how long treatment might take.  

#4 Your Treatment Plan

At Booth Orthodontics, braces aren’t your only option! With metal braces, clear braces, and Invisalign clear aligners, you have choices when it comes to treating your smile – and they may affect how long you’ll be in treatment. Depending on your orthodontic condition at your free consultation, Dr. Ryan may recommend one of these options: 

Invisalign: Invisalign is a system of custom-made clear acrylic aligners designed to straighten your teeth and align your bite. Each aligner is personalized to fit your unique smile. You’ll get a new set of custom-made aligners every couple of weeks, so you can expect treatment to take between nine and 15 months. 

Metal Braces: Metal braces use a system of brackets and wires to align your smile over time. By meeting with Dr. Ryan every six to eight weeks, you’ll get the smile you love. Some patients spend as little as six months in braces, while others can spend up to two years. 

Clear Braces: Ceramic braces work the same way metal braces do. Designed for esthetics, our clear braces are smaller than ever and are made of nearly invisible, tooth-colored polycrystalline ceramic material that blends in with your smile. Depending on your orthodontic condition, you can expect to wear clear braces between six months and two years.

What Are The Benefits of Braces?

We’re so glad you asked! Most people believe that braces are just for aesthetics, and while they do work for cosmetic purposes, there are so many more benefits. 

Cleaner Teeth – Crooked teeth or bad bites can create tight spaces that are difficult to clean. Over time, sugar and bad bacteria gather in these crowded areas, causing plaque buildup that could lead to gingivitis. Braces straighten these areas out, making it easier to brush your teeth and keep up with your oral hygiene.

Better Health Overall – Braces work wonders for your physical health. A straight smile can improve your digestion, relieve headaches, and even alleviate issues like sleep apnea. 

Higher Confidence – By shaping your teeth, braces can give you the confidence to share your smile with the world. You may be looking for that wedding-day smile, or maybe you’re looking for a self-esteem boost in the mirror before a big interview. In either case, braces will give you the confidence you need to succeed.

Your Smile’s In Great Hands

From the moment you contact our office to your final retainer check appointment, our goal is to give you a smile you’ll love and a process you’ll enjoy. Our team of experienced professionals is always ready to answer questions and talk about treatment options, so schedule your free consultation and get started today!