Are you thinking about getting braces? Treatment has the potential to greatly improve your oral health and enhance your smile’s appearance. Still, you may hesitate to commit to braces without knowing how long you will have to wear them. Will it be a matter of months, or will it be years before you can say goodbye to the brackets and wires? This blog post discusses average braces treatment time in Watertown. It also provides tips on how you can avoid unnecessary slow-downs during your orthodontic journey.
Average Orthodontic Time
On average, it takes 18 – 36 months for braces to straighten teeth. Admittedly, that is a rather broad range. There are many factors that can affect orthodontic time in Watertown for individuals, including:
- Severity of the dental misalignment. Severe misalignment and significant bite problems take longer to correct than minor, simpler issues. For example, a seriously crowded dental arch requires longer treatment than a minor aesthetic issue toward the front of the mouth.
- A patient’s age. Treatment tends to take slightly longer for adults than it does for younger patients.
- A patient’s dental health. Weak teeth, the presence of dental restorations, and other issues may have a bearing on an orthodontic treatment plan.
When you visit your dentist or orthodontist for a consultation, they will examine your teeth and provide you with an estimate for how long your treatment will take. If you qualify for any faster teeth straightening treatments, such as Invisalign, they will likely let you know about your options.
Avoiding Unnecessary Delays
You cannot control the positioning of your teeth or your age. However, there are some things that you can control. In order to avoid unnecessary delays with your treatment, you should:
- Attend all recommended orthodontic appointments. Skipping or postponing appointments can delay adjustments to your braces and extend your overall treatment timeline.
- Take good care of your teeth. Keeping up with oral hygiene, and attending regular cleanings with your dentist, will aid in keeping your teeth in good shape throughout your time with braces, which in turn can help you avoid slow-downs.
- Use all accessories as directed. Some patients require orthodontic elastics or other accessories to facilitate the desired tooth movements. Using all such items as directed will facilitate efficient treatment.
- Seek help right away for problems. If you ever accidentally break your braces or run into other issues, seek help as soon as possible instead of waiting for your next scheduled appointment. You want your treatment to get back on track ASAP.
18 – 36 months can seem like a long time. Once your braces are in place and you get used to your new routine, however, the time is likely to fly by!
Meet the Practice
The team of professionals at All Dental in Watertown is proud to offer both traditional metal braces and clear aligner treatment. If you would like to know more about orthodontic care and how long it may take for you, we invite you to schedule a consultation. Contact us at 617-207-0947.