Deciding to get braces is one of the best choices you can make for your oral health. Braces have many life-changing benefits beyond just the aesthetic and can help reduce pain, increase confidence, and reduce the risk of future dental problems. However, if Dr. Jared Lee just applied them, you’re probably asking the question: When do I get my braces off?
Whether you’re a teen or an adult, we know you’re looking forward to the day you get your braces off. Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. There is a wide range of different factors that contribute to your treatment time, but we’re here to help guide you.
Wearing braces can be uncomfortable, but we promise the result is worth the wait! If you’re wondering how long you’ll be in braces, keep reading below!
Benefits of Braces
Although you’re looking forward to the day you get them off, braces work wonders while they are on your teeth! There are so many benefits to orthodontic treatment, from aesthetic to practical.
Confidence Boost – By shaping your teeth, braces can give you the confidence to share your smile with the world. You may be looking for that wedding-day smile, or maybe you’re looking for a self-esteem boost in the mirror before a big interview. In either case, braces will give you the confidence you need to succeed.
Improved Physical Health – Braces work wonders for your physical health. A straight smile can improve your digestion, relieve headaches, and even alleviate issues like sleep apnea.
Improved Oral Hygiene – Crooked teeth or bad bites can create tight spaces that are difficult to clean. Over time, sugar and bad bacteria gather in these crowded areas, causing plaque buildup that could lead to gingivitis. Braces straighten these areas out, making it easier to brush your teeth and keep up with your oral hygiene.
Factors Affecting Treatment Time
No smile is exactly the same, and that means treatment times are different for everyone, too! Several factors play into how long you’ll be wearing braces.
Your Unique Needs
When you come in for your consultation with Dr. Lee, he’ll tell you that everyone has different orthodontic needs. You may have more or less complex dental issues than the patient next to you, which can change how long your treatment may take.
Generally, you can expect longer treatment times if you’re a patient with more complex orthodontic issues. Milder orthodontic problems generally mean less time spent in braces.
Your Age
No matter how old you are, you deserve a beautiful smile — and our teams in Oxnard and Santa Paula can give that to you! We serve patients of all ages, so whether you’re seven or seventy-five, you can have the straight teeth you want. However, braces take different times for different age groups when it comes to treatment length.
For example, we recommend children come in as early as seven years old for their first orthodontic visit. Most kids don’t need braces this early in life, but some do, and they might require two-phase treatment. Because this plan requires two rounds of treatment to give the desired effects, treatment for younger children might take longer than average.
Likewise, patients over the age of eighteen require longer treatment times overall. Because their bones are done growing, adult patients don’t have the flexibility that younger patients do, leading to longer treatments.
Don’t let that age keep you from getting the smile you deserve, though! With a range of treatment plans, Dr. Lee will find the one that works for you and your smile.
Your Treatment Plan
First thing’s first: traditional metal braces aren’t your only treatment option! Dr. Lee offers metal braces, clear braces, and Invisalign clear aligners. Depending on your condition, we may recommend any one of these treatment plans. Each appliance has its pros and cons, and the orthodontic treatment plan you choose affects how long you’ll have to wear them.
Invisalign: These clear removable aligners can straighten your teeth without metal wires or brackets. The aligners are custom-made using Dr. Lee’s expertise and 3D computer virtual imaging technology. On average, Invisalign treatment takes one year to achieve the desired effect.
Metal Braces: These self-ligating braces are made of brackets and wires that align your teeth over time. Metal braces can take anywhere from six months to three years to correct your smile.
Clear Braces: This treatment option works just like metal braces. As a more discreet method, these braces use white ceramic brackets instead of silver to blend in with your teeth. Depending on your orthodontic condition, you can expect to wear clear braces between six months and three years.
Your Compliance
The role you play in your orthodontic treatment is just as important as Dr. Lee’s! The better you take care of your smile and follow our team’s instructions, the shorter your treatment will be. Follow these tips for the best results:
Take care of your braces: Part of following Dr. Lee’s instructions means you care for your braces or Invisalign appliances. By avoiding sticky or crunchy foods that can weaken the bond strength of your brackets, you can decrease your treatment time overall.
Sometimes brackets come loose even when we do our best to keep them safe, but you must schedule another appointment with Dr. Lee as soon as possible to fix the issue. Your braces won’t work while the brackets aren’t glued down, so a broken bracket or wire could increase treatment time.
Keep your appointments: It is essential to your treatment plan to attend every orthodontic appointment you can. Dr. Lee needs to meet with you once every 6-8 weeks to assess your progress and your body’s reaction to braces.
Sometimes things come up, and that’s okay! Just let us know as soon as possible so we can reschedule your appointment and keep your treatment plan on track.
Stick to the plan: Following Dr. Lee’s directions greatly determines how long you’ll have to wear braces. Compliance keeps your teeth and gums healthy, and good oral hygiene means shorter treatment times.
Following all of these instructions can sometimes decrease your total treatment time. On the other hand, failing to follow these directions can slow treatment down.
Dr. Jared Lee Makes Orthodontics Fun!
From the moment you walk into our office, you’ll receive the right service for you. Our flexible payments are created to work for your budget, and our modern technology is used to offer you the most cutting-edge care.
If you’re ready to start your smile success journey, there’s no better time than now! Schedule your free consultation with Dr. Lee today!