While orthodontics is more advanced than ever, we haven’t quite reached the point where we can straighten teeth overnight. However, getting a beautiful, straight smile and setting yourself up for better oral health will be well worth the wait. Not every orthodontic treatment will take the same amount of time, so the length of your orthodontic treatment will vary based on your case and prescribed treatment plan. The duration of your treatment also depends on how well you take care of your braces or aligners.
How Long Does Orthodontic Treatment Take?
As mentioned before, the length of any treatment will vary from person to person. The average amount of time patients spend in orthodontic treatment is roughly 18 to 24 months. It could be shorter than this or longer depending on the severity of corrections needed. There are ways you can help make the process go smoothly, resulting in little or no delays in your treatment.
How to Get Through Orthodontic Treatment Quickly
While there are no ways to necessarily “speed up” your treatment, you can avoid delays by following your orthodontist’s instructions. One important way to avoid lengthening your treatment is by taking good care of your braces. You will get a list of food restrictions to follow while you have braces when you get them installed. This includes crunchy foods like apples, granola, and chips along with sticky foods. If you consume these foods while you have braces, you could find yourself with damaged brackets or wires which will need to be replaced.
You may also get elastic interarch bands as part of your treatment to fix an underbite or overbite. Be sure to stay on top of replacing your bands at the right intervals to keep creating pressure on your jaw so the process works.
If you play sports with potential for impacts, like football, wrestling, or basketball, you should always wear your orthodontic mouthguard to avoid damaging your braces. If your braces get damaged in any way, be sure to schedule an appointment as soon as possible to avoid delaying your treatment progress any further. It’s also important not to skip out on any appointments to adjust your braces. While life can get understandably busy, be sure to prioritize making it to each scheduled appointment.
Staying on Track with Invisalign
The Invisalign Clear Aligner System is an advanced orthodontic treatment solution that allows you to get straight teeth using plastic aligners. Not every person will be a fit for Invisalign, but the treatment can handle more severe cases than ever thanks to innovations in the treatment design. On average, people finish treatment with Invisalign in about 12 to 18 months. To complete your treatment on time, you’ll need to wear your removable aligners at least 22 hours per day. Be sure to store your aligners safely out of heat and to keep good track of them so they don’t get lost.
To learn more about treatment options that would be right for you and how to take care of your braces, contact Charleston Orthodontic Specialists today and schedule your free consultation.