Bronx, NY – Braces are a wonderful way to transform your smile, improving your self-esteem and your oral health in the process. Orthodontic treatment is a commitment, so if you are looking to start your braces journey, you’re probably wondering how long it will take to see results. Dr. Catherine Woo of Riverdale Family Orthodontics explains what you can expect from your treatment.
“The average orthodontic patient is in treatment between 18-36 months,” says Dr. Woo. “The exact length of your treatment is dependent on several factors, such as your age at treatment and the severity of your malocclusion. But, it won’t take that long for you to start seeing results.”
Braces Treatment Timeline: What to Expect from Start to Finish
Let’s look at a breakdown of how your treatment should progress.
- Weeks 1-4 – subtle signs of progress. You might notice some minor signs of progress in your first weeks of wearing braces. These changes are often very subtle, and others might not notice them. But you may be able to notice a tiny gap closing or even a crooked tooth starting to move into the correct position. Dr. Woo and her team always love to point out these early signs of progress so patients know their braces are working right away.
- Months 1-3 – noticeable change. Patients can recognize noticeable changes within the first few months of treatment. Crowded teeth may start to look more spaced out, and your bite can begin to feel different. The visual progress that you see may be different than others based on the severity of your issues.
- Months 4-12 – steady progress. These are the months when patients begin to see more major changes to their smiles. Your teeth are gently but steadily being guided to their ideal locations, and you may start noticing your alignment improving.
- Months 12-on – final results. For patients with minor malocclusions, treatment may be able to be completed in around 12 months, while others with more severe malocclusions may need quite a bit longer to reach their smile goals. Patients with more severe malocclusions may have additional appliances added to their treatment, such as expanders, Herbst appliances, and rubber bands. These can help ensure adequate space and bite alignment.
Factors that can affect your treatment length:
- Age – younger patients have the benefit of jaws that are still growing, making it easier to achieve the desired results. Adults may require more intensive treatment, such as jaw surgery, to get their ideal smiles.
- Severity of your issue – More severe malocclusions will take longer to correct. Issues such as mild spacing or crowding can be much quicker to correct.
- Treatment type – The type of treatment you choose can have an impact on how quickly your treatment is completed.
- You – your compliance with your treatment is essential to staying on track. Wearing rubber bands as directed, brushing and flossing regularly, avoiding certain foods, and maintaining all follow-up appointments are essential to ensure your treatment can progress as needed.
They say patience is a virtue, and that definitely can seem true when it comes to orthodontic treatment. You may notice minor improvement quickly, but a straight smile and finely tuned bite takes time. To ensure your treatment stays on track, follow all recommendations of your care team and keep all your regularly scheduled appointments.
With a little work, time, and patience, you’ll have a beautiful new smile that you will be proud to show off. Riverdale Family Orthodontics is here to help you every step of the way. Call our office at 718-884-7700 to schedule your complimentary consultation.
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