How long do you wear braces, and what affects the duration of orthodontic treatment?

Most people who have various anomalies in the arrangement of teeth in the jaw think about the possibility of orthodontic treatment. Most often, after finding out its approximate cost, the question arises about how long it will take to wear braces to achieve the desired result.

There are difficulties in answering this. Not a single orthodontist can announce the exact date of removal of the structure. Only after detailed research and careful drawing up of a treatment plan will he be able to give an approximate wearing time.

Factors influencing the treatment period

If we look at the statistics of treatment with braces, we can note a big difference in the time it takes to achieve the desired result . In some cases it is about 6 months, in others 2 years or more. It all depends on some factors that predetermine the approximate treatment period.

In case of barely noticeable disturbances in the formation of the dentition, the result may be achieved after 8 months of wear.

If the patient has anomalies of class 2 or 3, then treatment can last 3 years, since in this case it is necessary to correct not only the teeth, but also the entire jaw arch.

In addition, after treatment of complex pathologies, a long consolidation period will be required , up to 6 years.

Severe anomalies include:

• pronounced underdevelopment of the lower or upper jaw;
• lack of complete closure of the dentition in the lateral and anterior sections;
• significant overlap of the lower crowns with the upper ones, while the jaws have the same development;
• When the teeth are tightly closed, crossing of the incisors is observed.

Severe crowding of teeth requiring removal of a single crown. This procedure, in some cases, is mandatory, since if the crowns are closely spaced, braces will not be able to expand the dentition. The duration of treatment after this is increased by at least 6 months.

Faster results were observed in patients who paid special attention to oral health . In the absence of periodontal diseases and problems with the jawbone, treatment lasted up to 1.5 years.

It is possible to align crowns using this system at any age, but the older the person, the longer the correction will take . For children under 14 years of age, this period is 1 year. An adult should prepare for a long treatment, with an average duration of 2 years.

With correct placement of braces and mild pathology, a positive result can be achieved within 3 months. But at this stage, it is strictly forbidden to remove the system , otherwise the teeth will return to their original position.

Does it hurt?

This question is from the same series as “is it possible to cure caries at home?” Therefore, the answer is very simple and unambiguous: since the installation was carried out by a specialist, the doctor must also remove such structures. Without the skills and special equipment, it is impossible to carry out high-quality removal of orthodontic appliances.

In addition, after braces, retainers are installed to secure the result. Therefore, one way or another, you will have to contact a specialist, otherwise your teeth may spontaneously return to their original places.

Many patients are interested in the question: “How long do they wear a mouthguard after removing braces?” In each case, only the attending physician should decide.

Rules:

1. At the very beginning, the mouth guards are worn for 2 hours, after 2 weeks they can be worn only at night, and after a few months they must be worn 3 times a week.
2. The older a person is, the more difficult it is to keep teeth.
3. Some people may experience pain when wearing mouth guards. This is usually due to the fact that the wearing pattern of the system is disrupted or that the teeth tend to take their original position.

1. Do not boil.
2. Do not dry with hot air.
3. While wearing it, you should not eat hot foods.
4. You cannot drink hot drinks.
5. Can be cleaned with a regular toothbrush.
6. Rinse only with warm water.
7. Use regular toothpaste for cleaning.

If the patient ignores the rules for caring for the aligners, an unpleasant taste and smell will appear in the mouth.

Retention systems must be cleaned even on a day when the patient has not worn them. The orthodontist may recommend using special cleaning products that prevent clouding of the trays.

The orthodontist must install mouthguards that are free from defects and damage, since even small cracks can lead to tooth displacement.

Typically, the duration of wearing braces depends on the severity of the pathology and the age of the patient. The more complex the clinical case and the older the person, the longer it takes to straighten the teeth. However, the first changes are noticeable within a few months after fixing the system. When it is clear that it is time to remove the braces, the doctor will inform you about the expected end date of treatment.

The process of correcting the bite can take from several months to 2 years. An experienced and highly qualified orthodontist is able to select the most optimal correction scheme that allows you to achieve your goal in the shortest possible time. If you strictly follow all the instructions, the day when you need to remove your braces will not be long in coming.

Most patients know virtually nothing about how braces are removed. The procedure is simple and involves several manipulations. Before the doctor begins work, you can ask him how long it takes to remove braces. As a rule, regular clasps are removed in about twenty minutes, and a lingual system in just under an hour. Any orthodontist can remove braces, regardless of whether the person is his patient or not.

The process of removing braces involves several stages.

1. Preparation. A retractor is installed for the patient to protect the oral mucosa from damage.
2. Removal of the structure. The ligatures and arches are removed first, then the braces themselves.
3. Grinding. Remains of glue are removed from the teeth by polishing, and the enamel is coated with a remineralizing composition.

Does it hurt to remove braces? Definitely not. Dental procedures cause some discomfort, but the discomfort is quite minor and mainly depends on the individual pain threshold.

The query “How to remove braces at home?” found on the Internet quite often. But it should be noted that without special skills and tools it is impossible to correctly remove the system. Removing the structure yourself can cause damage to the mucous membrane, teeth and gums.

Even if you have theoretical knowledge of how to remove braces yourself, you should not do this, since the procedure is followed by the mandatory installation of a retainer, which you cannot purchase and secure yourself. In addition, at home it is also impossible to remove glue residues and polish the surface of the teeth.

Even one loose bracket cannot be removed without the help of a doctor without damaging the entire structure. It is necessary to make an appointment with an orthodontist as soon as possible to repair the system, since the absence of one element can disrupt its balance, and the effectiveness of treatment will decrease. Before going to a specialist, it is better to fix the fallen lock with medical wax, sold in a pharmacy.

The removal of the system is carried out by the attending physician in the same clinic where it was installed, so the patient does not have to look for a dentist to carry out the procedure.

With turnkey treatment, there is no need to find out in the capital's centers how much it costs to remove braces, since the service is already included in the final price. In addition, the amount includes the costs of the device itself and its installation. If all stages of bite correction are paid separately, then the cost of removing the device is about 10,000 rubles.

After wearing braces, you will need to put in a lot of effort to maintain a beautiful smile. However, those who have patiently gone through the entire path of bite correction from braces to a retainer confirm that the end result justifies any difficulties of the process!

Duration of treatment in adults

Treatment with braces in adults is a very long process, lasting up to 3 years. This is due to some age-related characteristics.

photo: canines before and after treatment, correction period 1.5 years

Metabolic processes are slower than in children , so the trophism of the tissues of the jaw system is disrupted. This leads to decreased bone and periodontal regeneration.

In addition, in adults, skeletal growth is completely stopped, and the expansion of the jaw arch occurs with particular difficulty and only under the influence of constant strong pressure.

In addition, at this age a person has various pathologies , which also increase the wearing period:

• mental disorders;
• diseases of the immune system;
• somatic pathologies;
• diseases of the endocrine glands.

For correction, adults most often prefer to use lingual, metal or ceramic braces.

Duration of treatment in children

The speed of treatment with a fixed structure in children depends directly on the timeliness of treatment. The fastest results can be achieved when installing the system for a child under 13 years of age.

At this time, the period of mixed dentition is almost over, and the jaw system slows down its growth. The duration of such treatment is usually 1 year or less. When installing, it is necessary to take into account the presence of second permanent molars. If they erupt during the treatment period, the process may drag on for at least another 8 months.

In the case when a child wore removable orthodontic structures during the period of primary and early mixed dentition, treatment with this system is reduced by almost 2 times.

The total period of wearing the structure in children is on average 8 months less than in adults. The retention period also differs significantly and is up to 2 years.

Duration of treatment and type of braces: what is the relationship?

If you still haven’t found the answer to the question of how long you need to wear braces to correct your bite, then pay attention first of all to the type of orthodontic device you plan to install. Today there are different types of braces: metal and ceramic, sapphire, ligature and non-ligature, lingual and vestibular. Of course, you won’t see any striking differences in terms of treatment here, but if you choose some systems, you will still be able to slightly reduce the treatment time.

Approximately how long should I wear different braces? For example, the fastest results, according to many doctors, will be provided by classic vestibular systems made of metal. Their advantages are not only in the relatively quick treatment time, but also in their affordable cost and the ability to use them for the most severe malocclusion pathologies. However, such systems, compared to slower ceramic devices or sapphire designs, may be less comfortable, may rub the mucous membranes and even cause an allergic reaction. On average, metal braces will allow you to achieve a positive result 2-3 months earlier than their ceramic or sapphire counterparts.

The photo shows the types of braces

You will also have to wear lingual systems for a relatively short time, which are made of metal and attached to the side of the tongue, due to which they are completely invisible to others.

Self-ligating systems, compared to ligature ones (the traction force in them needs to be changed every 2-3 weeks at a dentist’s appointment), also allows you to cope with bite pathologies several months earlier. Even if we take similar models made of metal: ligature ones will have to be worn longer than self-ligating ones.

Self-ligating and ligature braces

Self-ligating braces are those that eliminate the need to visit the orthodontist every month while wearing the systems. I wonder what their advantages and disadvantages are? Then read the detailed material about braces that work themselves.

Period of bite correction using various systems

The time it takes to use braces may depend not only on third-party factors, but also directly on the selected system model.

The difference in wearing time for different models is shown in the following table:

The timing of using braces from different brands may also vary slightly.

STB

They are a lingual system that is fixed on the inside of the crowns. The period of wearing these braces is not much different from metal models and is 2 years.

In-ovation

In Ovation self-adjusting braces do not have ligatures and are more comfortable for treatment. Their wearing period is 30% less than other systems.

Incognito

The Incognito lingual system differs from the classic version in that treatment, as a rule, takes a shorter period of time . Complete correction of the dentition can be achieved after 1.5 years.

Clarity

Vestibular ceramic braces of this brand are hardly noticeable on the teeth, but teeth straightening takes a long time, taking from 1 to 3 years.

Damon

A self-regulating metal system will help correct your bite in the shortest possible time, ranging from 1 to 1.5 years.

What can increase treatment time?

When installing braces, the dentist determines only the approximate duration of treatment, which may differ significantly in the outcome. At the same time, this period does not decrease, but only increases.

This may be due to several reasons:

1. Poor oral hygiene leading to periodontal disease.
   In some cases, inflammation of the gum tissue leads to loosening of the crowns, so the system must be completely removed. While periodontal treatment is being carried out, the teeth can take their primary position and the correction time increases almost 2 times.
2. Design of the system used .
   Depending on the braces model, the treatment time can be increased by a noticeable period. Often it is 4–6 months. The essence of the problem is that the parts of some models are more fragile than the metal structure. Their failure leads to the need for replacement. In most cases, in order to install a new element, you need to wait until it is available in the clinic. During this time, the crown does not undergo the necessary treatment and, at best, is not corrected, and at worst, it returns to its previous position.
3. Orthodontic arch. The force of pressure on the crowns depends on the material used to make the arch. The tougher the element, the faster the treatment will take place.

Is it possible to speed up the treatment period?

Now you can find many dentists where they promise to provide treatment with braces in the shortest possible time, which do not meet the standards of the system . Unfortunately, such statements are just a publicity stunt.

It has long been proven in medicine that the position of crowns can be corrected only within the time limits specified for the system used . This period can be extended, but not shortened.

The tooth has a formed bed of bone tissue. Changing bone requires daily, small, focused effort. Rapid formation of another bed is possible only with the help of surgical intervention.

Duration of wearing depending on proper installation and care of the system

The design of the bracket system consists of: brackets (plates with a special groove), an arch that goes into these plates and ligatures that fix the arch in the grooves of the bracket. Each individual brace is made for a specific tooth. When creating it, it is taken into account how much the tooth needs to be moved to the side or rotated along the axis. If the orthodontist, for some reason, mixes up the braces and fixes them not in the place intended for them, the entire treatment will go down the drain and worsen the situation. Then the time required to correct the bite may increase significantly.

The orthodontic arch also plays a major role in the design. Its task is to create a certain pressure on the plates so that they can move the tooth. The arch has its own memory of the final result of treatment and always strives to accept this position, thus creating pressure. But each arc can be made of a different material: titanium and nickel, steel or titanium-molybdenum alloy. Each of these materials has its own elasticity. The more rigidity, the greater the pressure on the teeth, which means the speed of correction increases.

The period for correcting occlusion pathology may increase due to structural failure. Patients who neglect the rules of hygiene and doctor’s recommendations for caring for the system can damage its integrity. While the next design is being manufactured, the result obtained will be reduced to zero and everything will have to start all over again.

Retention period

This period is mandatory when treating with braces.

The main correction with braces contributes to the emergence of a new shape of the tooth bed, and the retention stage allows the muscular and ligamentous apparatus that holds the crown in the desired position to be strengthened.

Retainers, special mouthguards and trainers are used as fastening devices. Depending on the device used, the retention period may vary significantly.

How long should you wear aligners after braces are removed?

Mouthguards are a special removable design that is worn only for a while and can be easily removed for cleaning the crowns or eating . The mouthguards are made of elastic hypoallergenic polymer, so they are practically not felt on the teeth.

Practice shows that in order to obtain a high-quality result, the mouthguard must be worn for the same period of time that was spent on the main treatment .

But at the same time, depending on the severity of the orthodontic abnormality and the age category of the patient, the retention period may be slightly reduced.

During the first months, mouthguards must be worn up to 22 hours a day, then this time decreases.

Duration of wearing retainers

This device differs from others in the duration of use. As a rule, it is calculated according to the following scheme: the time for correcting a bite with braces is doubled . The period of wearing retainers should be determined and adjusted only by a dentist.

The duration of this stage is a disadvantage of this system, but at the same time it has a huge advantage - the uniqueness of the design. A retainer is a small arch installed on the inside of the crowns, which does not cause discomfort and is not felt or noticeable on the teeth at all .

System installation time

But the duration of how long it takes to install braces is quite simple to determine, although it varies depending on the type of product used. In order to fix conventional metal systems, you need to spend about an hour.

Also, the time spent may vary depending on the qualifications of the orthodontist, the location of the dentition and the material. There are the following stages for installing braces:

• Preparing teeth. The doctor uses a special paste and brush to clean the surface of the teeth to remove plaque and food debris.
• Etching. The teeth are coated with a specialized compound, which allows for good adhesion to the fixing components. The solution remains on the surface for 15-30 seconds, after which the doctor dries the teeth.
• Application of adhesive. The adhesive component is carefully placed on the enamel and polymerized using an LED lamp.
• System installation. A small amount of composite is applied to each tooth, into which the lock is immersed. After this, excess material is removed and light curing is carried out.
• Arc placement. After all the components have already been installed, an arch is inserted into the grooves of the locks, which will straighten the teeth.
• Securing ligatures. Elastic rings are required to secure the force of bite correction.

Installation of lingual systems is done in a slightly different way. In this case, the doctor treats the palatal or lingual area, and the placement process takes longer, since access to the teeth becomes difficult.

The formation of the bite occurs before the age of 25, when wisdom teeth erupt. During this period, the dentition and jaw arches take their permanent position. This is the age that is considered most suitable for correction. Treatment time directly depends on the person’s age.