Here at McMurphy Orthodontics, we hear one question more frequently than any other: when will I get my braces off? If you’re gearing up for your orthodontic journey, you’re probably anxious to get to the big reveal of your brand new smile! Unfortunately, there’s no “one size fits all” answer about how long treatment will take. Your smile is unique, and many factors determine how long you’ll need to wear braces or aligners. Let’s look at some of them to give you a better idea of what you can expect from the treatment process!
How severe is your case?
While every patient is different, there are some generalizations we can make. For instance, if you have a complex case requiring comprehensive care, your treatment time will likely be longer than someone with a reasonably healthy bite with only mild issues. Severely crooked teeth or a significant bite discrepancy often require more time to correct than simple spacing or crowding issues.
How does your body respond to treatment?
Even with similar cases, no two patients will have the same response to treatment. Bone density, gum tissue thickness, and chewing patterns vary from person to person, and oral habits like clenching or grinding the teeth affect treatment, too. This is why Dr. McMurphy creates a personalized treatment plan for every patient! He’ll build a custom treatment plan based on your specific needs and goals to guarantee the best results.
How compliant are you during treatment?
While Dr. McMurphy handles the hard work of putting your braces on or directing your tooth movements with clear aligners, you have an essential role, too! Your compliance with our guidelines will determine how successful the treatment plan is. It’s also a critical factor in completing treatment within the estimated time frame.
When we talk about compliance, it includes maintaining an excellent dental hygiene routine. Failure to take good care of your teeth and gums can slow treatment. Sometimes, we may need to pause treatment while you have dental work. You should also wear your elastics as directed by Dr. McMurphy.
Being vigilant about oral health and following our recommendations can decrease your treatment time. The same goes for keeping up with your regular visits, which are essential for the treatment plan. They allow us to assess how your teeth move and ensure your treatment plan is on track. We understand that you may need to cancel or reschedule an appointment from time to time, but you should stick to the schedule as closely as possible for the best results.
It’s important to treat your braces or aligners with care since breaks and cracks can also push your treatment schedule back. You can do your part by avoiding crunchy or sticky foods if you’re in braces, as these can weaken the bond strength of the brackets.
We don’t consider it an emergency if a bracket breaks or comes loose, but we will want to rebond it as soon as possible. No active tooth movement occurs when a bracket isn’t properly bonded to your teeth. This can add time to the treatment process, so be sure to contact our Biloxi or Ocean Springs office if you experience any damage to your appliance.
How old will you be during the treatment process?
You may be surprised to learn that your age can affect how long treatment takes! While Dr. McMurphy can successfully move teeth at almost any age, children and teens have more pliable bones because they’re still growing and not yet fully developed. This can make treatment faster, easier, and more effective. It also allows us to control the bite correction. On the other hand, the jawbone stops growing by our early twenties. Successfully treating orthodontic issues after that point may require more time and effort.
Remember: nothing lasts forever!
Patience and perspective are key throughout orthodontic treatment. Even if it feels like it sometimes, you won’t be in braces or aligners forever! Treatment options have come a long way in recent years and work faster than ever. Before you know it, we’ll be revealing your beautiful new smile! All your hard work will be worth it at that moment.
We offer a range of affordable treatment options to move your teeth comfortably, efficiently, and as quickly as possible. You may not have an exact date for treatment to be completed going into your orthodontic journey, but we’ll give you an estimated time before you begin.
While it varies from case to case, the average time in braces is from 12 to 36 months. Treatment with a clear aligner system like Invisalign can take slightly less time.
As noted above, your treatment may last slightly longer or shorter than our given estimate. There’s one thing you can count on: by working with our expert team and following your orthodontist’s recommendations, you’ll see finishing treatment before you know it!
Find your best smile at McMurphy Orthodontics
Good things come to those who wait, but why put off a straighter smile any longer? Click here to schedule a FREE consultation with Dr. McMurphy at our Biloxi or Ocean Springs office. We look forward to seeing you smile!