You’ve got your braces on and started your orthodontic journey to a better smile. Now there’s one more question: How long do you keep them on? There’s a lot of excitement leading to the day you get your smile, and everyone has a different treatment experience. There are a few factors to consider when planning how long you’ll be wearing your braces. At Central Massachusetts Orthodontics, we want to help you plan your smile journey every step of the way so you know what to expect. Let’s look at a few things that could determine the length of your treatment.
Your Treatment
While everyone is unique, there is a general rule of thumb we can count on for most of our patients: If you have a complex case, your treatment time will likely be longer than someone who has only mild issues. Severely displaced teeth or significant bite problems require more time for correction than simple crowding or spacing issues. The more work that’s needed, the more time it will take for the treatment to finish. We want to provide you comprehensive care for your oral health issues, no matter how complex the job!
Your Body’s Response
Everyone responds to treatment in different ways, because every patient is unique! Patients with similar cases will rarely have the same exact response to the same treatment. Gum tissue thickness, bone density, and chewing patterns vary between people, and oral habits such as clenching or grinding the teeth can affect treatment. That’s why it’s essential to have an orthodontist who knows your unique needs. Dr. Giarrusso and Dr. Livanos take an individualized approach to every visitor that stops by our office. They’ll build you a personalized treatment plan based on your goals for the best results.
Your Age
Here’s a fun fact: Your age can play a role in the length of your treatment too! Children and teens can move their teeth more easily because their bones are more pliable since they’re not fully developed. This is why braces tend to be more common in childhood and adolescence. It allows for Dr. Giarrusso and Dr. Livanos to have more control over your bite correction. However, patients can successfully move their teeth at any age! For older patients, treatment can take longer with more developed teeth. The jawbone stops growing by our early twenties. Successfully treating orthodontic issues after that point may require more time and effort.
Our office has a variety of treatments to move your teeth as comfortably and quickly as possible. While there will not be an exact date your treatment will finish, the average time in braces can be anywhere from twelve to thirty-six months. Treatment with a clear aligner system like Invisalign can be shorter.
Your Compliance
Your treatment should be a collaborative process between you and our orthodontists. Dr. Giarrusso and Dr. Livanos will attach your braces and plan the tooth movements associated with clear aligners. However, you’re an important part of the process too! Your compliance with treatment guidelines can determine how long and how successful your treatment is.
A good way to remain compliant with your treatment is to maintain a strong, rigorous oral hygiene routine. Your braces can’t improve your teeth if you are not keeping them clean and healthy. Neglecting to take care of your teeth and gums can slow your treatment down. Orthodontic treatment may need to be paused if dental work needs to be done. If you maintain strong oral health habits and follow the instructions of your orthodontist, you can keep your treatment on track.
Another part of the process is meeting with our orthodontic team. Dr. Giarrusso and Dr. Livanos will check the movement of your teeth and make sure everything is going according to plan. If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, let us know and we can adjust to your busy schedule! If you want to keep your treatment fast and on track, try to stick to the schedule as close as possible and make up for any missed appointments later. This means staying on top of your scheduled appointments with us. We want to be there for you so you can get the most from your treatment time!
Braces and aligners are important tools for creating and maintaining your best smile. However, they are also susceptible to damage. Any breaks, cracks, or snaps in your braces require fixing, and this can push your treatment schedule back. If you’re wearing braces, it’s best to avoid any crunchy or sticky foods. These can weaken the bond strength of brackets or snap wires. A broken or loosened bracket is not considered an emergency, and may not need immediate attention. However, we do want to rebond it as soon as possible. When a bracket isn’t properly bonded to your teeth, no active tooth movement occurs. This can elongate your treatment process, so be sure to contact our office if there’s any damage to your appliance.
Many factors can affect the length of your treatment, and not just the ones we’ve discussed above. No matter how long your treatment takes, we can promise one thing: Our team of orthodontic experts will be there the whole time so your final smile is the one you want.
Prep your smile at Central Massachusetts Orthodontics
Your smile deserves the right team to take care of it. Our expert office at Central Massachusetts Orthodontics is here to offer you a personalized treatment, a warm and professional experience, and exceptional results. Get in touch to schedule a consultation with Dr. Giarrusso and Dr. Livanos or to talk through your concerns with us! Your satisfaction is as important to us as your smile.