How long would my braces treatment take?

How long would my braces treatment take?  At Care Orthodontics, we get asked this question a lot.  It’s understandable because you want to fix your teeth but get the job done quickly so you can get back to your normal life as soon as possible.  On average a case may take 2 years.  However, there are variations in treatment time depending on individual variations such as complexity of dental crowding, overbite, overjet, degrees of jaw deviation, patient’s age, bone density, bone biology and the health of the gum and jaw. 

For a child who are less than 10 years old:

Children this age may need a phase I braces or also called interceptive braces.  Phase I braces takes an average 18 months.  Instances when children need a phase I treatment such as small jaw, constricted jaw, or misaligned jaw.   In some children, their jaws may be too small to fit all their teeth and a phase I jaw expander can help to create space for permanent teeth.   In other children, genetic factors may cause a misalignment in both upper and lower jaws.  These children may need other orthodontic appliances such as to elongate one jaw and restrict growth on the opposite jaw.  The purpose of phase I treatment is to fix jaw discrepancy and to create balance facial skeletal structure. 

For a teenager between 10-14 years old:

During this age range, teenagers usually have all permanent teeth already and would need full braces or comprehensive orthodontic treatment.  Full braces can take anywhere between 18 months to 2 or 3 years.   On average treatment time takes 22 months.  During comprehensive treatment, all of bite issues would be corrected and all the permanent teeth are finalized in the permanent position.  At the end of treatment, the permanent teeth have to occlude well, to help the individual chews food well, and to articulate well.  Some sounds required teeth shield and lip shield and occasionally a bad bite can prevent a good lip shield to interfere with communication.  A good occlusion must satisfy many esthetic requirement to give a good smile. Your smile is the focus of your face and your presence. Thus is must serve a a vehicle to display your best esthetic profile and exude confidence when you communication with others.  

For an adult who are 18 years or older:

For adults, braces may include correction the teeth along with other complexities such as orthodontic dental relapse, orthognathic surgery (jaw surgery), or orthodontic treatment in the presence of periodontal disease such as deep gum pockets, bone loss, bone resorption, or gum recession.  Some adults may have missing teeth and will need braces in additional to prosthetic correction such as porcelain crowns, dental filling, dental implants, dental bridges, etc.    Treatment time varied due to the complexity of each case and the degrees of collaboration among dental specialists and dental insurance to collaborate, communicate, and render care.  

Braces treatmentfor your smile:

If you are thinking about getting braces, the best recommendation is to schedule a face-to-face orthodontic consultation so the orthodontist can evaluate your bite, feel your teeth and give a customized treatment plan that is specific to your need.

Our office offers:

• Invisalign - clear removable aligners for adults and teenagers
• Metal and ceramic braces – catering to your individual need
• Headgear – to correct bad bite and different type of malocclusions
• Retainers – to replace lost retainers or after orthodontic treatment 

Visit us at www.CareOrthodontics.com or contact Care Orthodontics in San Jose CA at 408-971-2885.  Dr. Nancy Phan is a Board-certified orthodontist and dedicated many years to find and bring out the true beauty of your smile.