Understanding How Long Your Teeth Straightening Will Take

There is no standard length of treatment when it comes to teeth straightening treatments. It often comes down to a combination of factors like the severity of the patient’s teeth alignment issues, the oral appliance used, the patient’s age, and how healthy their teeth are.

All things being equal, clear aligners tend to lead to the shortest treatment times, while treatment with metal braces tends to take the longest. Treatment times for orthodontic issues can be anywhere between six and 36 months.

How long teeth straightening with orthodontic appliances takes

Getting orthodontic issues addressed starts with a consultation with a dentist. The oral professional will examine the patient’s teeth and jaw, to determine the severity of their condition. The dentist might also use tools like x-rays to evaluate the patient’s teeth and jaw.

The dentist will educate the patient about their best teeth straightening options and how long they should expect treatment to last. Orthodontic appliances that are often used to straighten teeth include:

1. Traditional braces

These have been used to straighten teeth for over a century. It involves cementing brackets to each of the patient’s teeth and connecting all the wires on one half of the jaw with metal wires. Traditional braces are still one of the most effective ways to treat orthodontic issues and they can be used to address the most severe issues.

Treatment with metal braces typically takes about two years, but it can take up to four if a patient’s teeth are severely misaligned.

2. Clear aligners

Clear aligners are the most discreet way to straighten teeth. It involves wearing transparent trays that slowly move a patient’s teeth towards a better alignment. Treatment involves wearing a set of aligner trays for two weeks, then switching them with another. Patients get several trays at the start of their treatment. The further down the series the patient gets, the closer their teeth should be to the target alignment.

3. Clear braces

Clear braces are not much different from traditional metal braces. They are just a lot harder to spot. Instead of metal wires and brackets, clear braces come with transparent wires and tooth-colored brackets, respectively. This allows the appliance to blend in with the patient’s teeth, making it harder to detect.

Clear braces deliver more precise forces on a patient’s teeth and this often leads to shorter treatment times. Treatment times with clear aligners can be as little as six months. More serious alignment issues can take up to two years to correct with clear braces. This will require lots of discipline on the patient’s part since clear aligners need to be worn for at least 20 hours per day for the patient’s treatment to be effective. Failing to wear the appliance as directed can lead to longer treatment times or some trays not fitting as they should.

Ready for straighter teeth?

Ready for an improved smile? Call our Mountain View today to learn more about how teeth straightening treatments can improve the way your teeth look.

Request an appointment here: https://smilesdental.com or call Smiles Dental Care at (650) 563-1180 for an appointment in our Mountain View office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces in Mountain View, CA.