Ask a General Dentist About Orthodontics: How Long Does Orthodontic Treatment Take?

When you are considering orthodontics, one of your biggest questions might be how long treatment takes. The typical treatment might take around 12 to 36 months. But every dentist has a different answer. Keep reading to learn about the different factors that might influence your treatment time.

Why do treatment times vary?

Issues with the jaw and teeth can be corrected with orthodontics. Aligners, retainers, braces, and headgear can all help guide teeth to the right places. These can also help with issues such as chewing, biting, and speaking. Many factors determine how long the treatment will take.

Some misalignments are worse than others. For example, if the bite has to be corrected, the treatment may be longer. The overall health and age of the patient can also affect things. All of these factors need to be considered. Sometimes, a simple treatment might be used, such as a removable aligner. But if the teeth need to have a lot of encouragement to move, then a fixed appliance might be used.

Slow treatments

Steady and slow pressure is needed to move teeth properly. This is why it can take a while to have orthodontics. With too much force, the teeth can become loose. That can also affect the bones and gums. Light pressure will be used, and if the teeth have to move a lot, it can take longer. Minor corrections will not take as long.

If it is only the tooth alignment that needs to be corrected, the treatment can be short. But sometimes, the bite also needs to be corrected. This means the way the lower and upper teeth fit together. This can take more time.

If the bite needs to be corrected, it is important to follow through. This can keep the jaw functioning correctly. It also allows the patient to chew and bite well. Correcting the bite can reduce the risk of TMJ disorders.

Other treatment time considerations

The treatment will take longer if the teeth and gums are not healthy. Having inflammation or gum disease might negatively affect the treatment time. The patient’s age also plays a role. It is often faster for children to have treatment since the tissues are still growing. That means that a child’s mouth is more susceptible to changes. However, many adults still have gotten orthodontic treatment successfully.

Patient compliance

Some patients are more willing to follow the dentist’s instructions. This is important for getting efficient results. Orthodontics is done in stages. Doing one stage and not the other will likely result in a relapse. Then more treatment will be needed.

Choose the right orthodontics

If you want to know how long orthodontic treatment will be for you, consider making a consultation with your dentist. Your dentist can help you decide on the shortest orthodontic treatment. No matter what, you will end up with a beautiful smile. Making an appointment with your dentist is the first step.

Request an appointment here: https://smilowfamilydentistry.com or call Smilow Family Dentistry, P.C. at (973) 379-2202 for an appointment in our Springfield Township office.

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