A person who is faced with the need to wear braces asks many questions.
Here are the most common of them - how much will the appearance change after installation, will it bring painful sensations and how long will it take to wear the system?
Let's look at the last question in more detail.
A number of factors will determine how long the system will be worn:
- General state of the problem. Minor flaws are usually corrected within a year (excluding the retention period). Naturally, more complex cases will require more time resources to correct the situation, and it is impossible to talk about any specific time frame without diagnosis from a specialist, since each case is individual.
- Patient's age. This factor can only be explained by the fact that in more early age(12-14 years old) it is much simpler and easier to correct existing problems. But it is worth remembering that crooked teeth or malocclusion can be changed at any age, it just takes a little longer.
- Health status of teeth and gums. If the patient has already undergone depulpation or implantation procedures, this may also lead to an increase in the period of wearing the system.
- Crowded teeth. In this situation, it is often necessary to remove several teeth - this is necessary to expand the dentition after installing braces. With such an anomaly, the wearing period usually increases.
- Type of braces. In addition to the above factors, the speed of correction is also influenced by the selected orthodontic system - below we will consider their varieties.
Types of systems, their advantages and disadvantages
| View | Advantages | Flaws | Estimated wearing time (in years) |
| metal vestibular |
|
|
1-1,5 |
| metal lingual |
|
|
1,5-2,5 |
| plastic |
|
|
1-2,5 |
| sapphire |
|
|
1-3 |
| ceramic |
|
|
Deadlines for children and teenagers
As mentioned earlier, the length of time children and adolescents need to wear braces depends entirely on when treatment begins.
The optimal time to contact a specialist is 12-14 years old. This is explained by the fact that at this age the mixed dentition is almost formed and the growth of the jaw system slows down. In this case, problems with bite and teeth are corrected within about a year or even earlier.
When compared with adult patients, on average children wear such systems for eight months less, while the retention period is about two years.
Particular attention should be paid to the presence of second permanent molars. If the period of their eruption coincides with the period of wearing, then the treatment will be delayed for a period of eight months or more.
However, if the problems are obvious and after consultation with a specialist, treatment is possible, and even should be started as early as possible.
Specialized mouthguards can prepare the child’s teeth for heavy constructions and assist in the correct formation of the dentition. According to statistics, in children who wore such mouth guards during the period of milk and early occlusion, the period of treatment with braces is reduced by almost half.
Deadlines for adults
If children have some restrictions on the minimum age threshold from which they can resort to using braces, then adults can correct existing dental deficiencies using this method at absolutely any age.
From the following video you will learn the minimum period of wearing braces:
Of course, this period will take longer, and this is due to natural processes occurring in the body that has crossed the threshold of 25-30 years of age:
- Bone and periodontal regeneration is reduced. This occurs due to the slowdown metabolic processes and disturbances in the trophism of tissues of the jaw system.
- Tissue regeneration is reduced.
- Skeletal growth stops.
In addition to natural processes, at this age a person may exhibit mental and endocrine diseases, immunity decreases, which also prolongs the time of wearing the selected system.
The average time an adult needs to spend wearing the system is three years. It costs so much a long period, because the correction itself can occur solely due to the displacement of teeth; for this, it is often necessary to resort to the removal of excess teeth.
Adult patients often choose metal, lingual or ceramic braces to correct deficiencies.
What can increase the period of use?
When installing a correction system, a specialist often names only the expected wearing period. In reality, it may differ from the actual period, and not in the direction of decrease, but in the direction of increase.
The wearing time may be delayed for the following reasons:
- Insufficient oral hygiene leading to periodontal diseases. For serious inflammatory processes Loosening of the crowns may occur; in these cases, in order to treat periodontal diseases, braces will need to be removed, which will entail an increase in the time needed to correct the initial problems, since the teeth may return to their previous position.
- The selected type of system. Previously, in the comparative table of braces, the advantages and disadvantages of various types were discussed. The main problem affecting the duration of wearing is the fragility of the selected design, as it entails possible frequent replacement of elements.
- Material for manufacturing an orthodontic arch. The softer the element, the weaker it affects the dentition, and, therefore, the longer the correction will take.
How to reduce the time required for bite correction
Many clinics use not entirely honest advertising techniques in order to attract clients, promising them the shortest possible correction time, however, unfortunately, these are nothing more than empty promises.
Official medicine has long proven that the treatment process cannot occur faster than the expected time frame for specific systems.
To ensure that the period of wearing braces does not drag on, experts recommend following the following simple rules:
- If you find any problems with the system, contact a specialist immediately. Even the slightest defect can affect general work to correct problems.
- Observe some dietary restrictions. So, you will have to avoid hot tea and cold ice cream while wearing braces, since sudden temperature changes can disrupt the elasticity of the orthodontic arch; you should also exclude or limit foods that can stain the structure - for example, coffee or berries.
- Carefully and regularly take care of your oral cavity. In addition to the usual twice a day, brushing your teeth should be done after each meal. It is recommended to use both a standard toothbrush and a special V-shaped (orthodontic), as well as dental floss, brushes, rinses and specialized toothpastes.
Duration of wearing retainers
After the specialist removes the braces, the next, final stage of correction will begin - wearing retainers. These elements allow you to save correct position teeth, so you shouldn’t neglect wearing them.
The retainers themselves are a special wire structure that is attached behind the dentition; they are not as visible as braces and are practically not felt by the patient.
The period of wearing retainers is individual for everyone. On average, someone who has worn braces for about two years will need to use retainers for about four to five years, with breaks for nighttime sleep.
conclusions
In conclusion I would like to sum up A short summary of all of the above:
- Age is not a barrier to correcting problems with bite or teeth, everything can be fixed, only in adults this process will take a longer period of time.
- An experienced orthodontist will help determine the optimal selection of the system and adjustments to its use.
- On average, wearing braces lasts for 1.5-2 years, followed by wearing retainers for a period of up to 4-5 years.
- It is necessary to carefully care for the structure and follow the proposed recommendations, as well as at least once every six months (and preferably once every 3-4 months) to visit a specialist for control.
From the article you will learn:
The use of braces is one of the most effective methods, used to correct congenital or acquired defects of the teeth and jaw. Client dental office in most cases, he does not understand the mechanism of future treatment well, since he only cares about the final result - a beautiful and well-groomed smile.
In this article, we will look at what processes will occur during treatment with such structures - that is, what everyone who wants to correct their bite or crooked teeth will have to face.
How long does it take to wear braces?
The period of wearing is set by , and the patient, in order to achieve the best result in treatment, must follow his instructions both regarding the timing of wearing and the frequency of care. The approximate time period is usually one and a half to two years. The specialist, based on the results of periodic examinations, may decide to shorten the treatment period or, conversely, continue to use braces.
What affects the length of time you wear braces?
In orthodontics, it is customary to take into account such important factors, on which the wearing time depends:
- Age. Since in adulthood a person stops growing bones and the dental system, the development of the bite also stops. Therefore, older people will need to wear the system longer than, for example, a six-year-old child.
- The complexity of the defect that the patient presented with.
- A type of braces.
- Correct installation of the bracket system.
- Level of competence of an orthodontist.
Feelings in the first weeks of wearing
The first two weeks of wearing braces, a person’s oral cavity adapts to the presence of braces in it, to the beginning of the process. The procedure is very difficult and is characterized by the occurrence of various negative sensations in the oral cavity. These could be, for example, continuous severe pain in the teeth area, redness or inflammation of the gums, chafing on the inside of the cheeks and possibly lips. Almost all braces wearers think that results will come instantly, within a few weeks of leaving the doctor's office.
Read also: Correcting dental malocclusion in adults. Causes, types, treatment
But this system does not have magical powers, it only helps to cure a certain dental pathology, and the main healing process occurs through the natural growth and development of teeth. From this we can conclude: you should not expect a quick bite correction. The treatment period can last for months, or even years.
Result after two months of using braces
As a rule, patients note the first two months of treatment as very effective and indicative. This can create the illusion that if the result of changing the position of the dental rows is excellent, then you can get rid of braces (remove them) and stop treatment. It is not recommended to do this, since the dentition is unstable - it will definitely return to its original position and the entire achieved result will go down the drain.
The essence of the treatment is as follows. One of the components of the bracket system are arches, the main component of which is an alloy of nickel and titanium. At the first stage of therapy, the arch automatically acquires the configuration of the pathological location of the teeth, but at the same time it constantly tries to regain its original shape, attracting the teeth towards itself and forcing them to pull in the same direction and take a normal position.
Changes over the next six months
Three to six months after the start of treatment, the rows of teeth do not stop aligning, so you cannot get rid of the braces system. This process will continue to last approximately eight months, sometimes up to a year (rarely, but sometimes up to two).
The patient should visit a specialist approximately once in two months to correct the arc or radically correct its location. Depending on the position, either thicker arches or thinner ones are placed - this is how their pressure created on the teeth is regulated.
After 6 months of treatment, a person will notice an increasingly smaller difference in the result compared to the initial stage, when the use of the braces system was just starting. Sometimes the patient himself does not notice that the dental line is leveled, the inclination of the dental units becomes correct, and it may seem to him that the treatment has stopped and is not giving a positive outcome.
The older the patient, the more often the treatment of pathology is limited only by the ability to displace some teeth. The reason for this may be either the absence of neighboring teeth that help move the problematic ones into the correct position, or the excessive resistance of adjacent dental units.
Read also: Mesial occlusion (progenia). Causes of appearance and methods of treatment
At this stage, the specialist clearly sees the quality of the defect correction and can make accurate forecast regarding the further course of treatment. This stage sometimes involves refastening individual braces. This is done in order to improve the effectiveness of treatment and speed up the time to obtain the desired effect.
The process of wearing braces for 8-12 months
As a rule, by the 8th month of wearing braces, the teeth are already quite straight. The second stage begins, which consists of starting to correct the bite. Of course, normalization begins and continues throughout the entire treatment, but this is the more important stage.
To correct the bite, orthodontists during this period place very rigid arches, thus improving the result of treatment. Due to the fact that the power of pressure on the teeth increases significantly, patients very often report severe pain in the oral cavity. At this stage, it is recommended to use an elastic, which is placed between the jaws. This device greatly helps to change the bite from a defective one to a correct one. The effect is visible immediately after three months after installing such an elastic band.
Result after one year of treatment
12 months after the start of treatment, the correction of the bite does not stop. A stage begins that is even more complex and painstaking than before. Do not forget that the duration of treatment is directly proportional to the level of defects in the dental system: some are lucky to wear it for about six months, others need to wear it for about a year or even more. At this stage, the small gaps between the patient's teeth begin to decrease - the rows gradually take on an ideal shape.
Final stage
This stage involves fixing the location of the teeth, establishing a high-quality relationship between them so that they remain in a stable position. Here it is important to think about purchasing retainers; they will be needed at the final stage of treatment. In fact, the final effect depends on how correctly the patient uses this device.
Invisible braces. Result before and after treatment
Now you need to visit a specialist more often: one visit/month to achieve the goal set at the beginning of treatment. Sometimes clients ask to be allowed to remove their braces more quickly because they experience fatigue associated with wearing them. Haste in this case is a bad help. To ensure that the efforts made over a long period of time are not in vain, the patient should be patient and force himself to hold out until the moment when the orthodontist, based on the findings of the next examination of the oral cavity, decides to stop using the braces system.
Treatment may last longer than planned. It is necessary to take into account the fact that braces are removed by specialists only when the person conscientiously followed all the instructions, methods of maintaining cleanliness and quality of work, and came to all the checks that were discussed in advance - all this in most cases cannot be clearly foreseen in advance.
Read also: What is a trainer for correcting teeth bite?
Does removing braces mean the end of treatment?
After removing the braces, the treatment of malocclusion in no case ends, but flows into the final stage, which is called retention. During it, the achieved result is consolidated.
The period is characterized by the fact that the orthodontist and the patient make every effort to fix the result obtained. A specific orthodontic design, called a retainer, helps with this. The use of a retainer is really necessary because the roots of the teeth have a special muscle memory, which, after removing braces, forces them to return to their original location.
Retainer - what is it and how does it work?
This device is shaped like an arch, which the doctor attaches to the inside of the dental row. Using a retainer lasts quite a long time: about four years for adult patients and two years- for children. In addition, we can note the fact that the period for which a retainer is placed depends on the stage and complexity of the pathology diagnosed in the patient.
Don’t forget that adults, after finishing treatment with a retainer, may need or
When the decision is made and the long-awaited braces are installed on the teeth, the question arises - how long will you have to wear this design. Modern braces allow for complete reconstruction of the dentition and elimination of any defects and malocclusions within several years. But even the attending orthodontist cannot answer unequivocally how long a patient needs to wear braces.
After all, for each person, depending on the initial degree of changes in the bite, correction of the position of the teeth and the shape of the dentition will take a different period of time. That is why, after installing braces, the patient is seen by his dentist regularly, visiting the doctor once a month or several months, depending on the type of braces chosen. Such consultations are needed to monitor the speed and dynamics of bite correction and correction of the brace structure, replacement of fixing elements or bracket plates in case of damage or detachment.
Therefore, in order to answer the question of how long you need to wear braces, you need to know the patient’s clinical situation and have data from regular examinations, at which the doctor evaluates the speed of bite correction and calculates the approximate completion date of the correction.
Photos showing before and after wearing braces
But how can you calculate how long you need to wear braces to straighten your teeth? In some cases, this issue is very important, especially in situations where it is proposed to use braces to correct the bite of children or adolescents. Therefore, we will analyze all the nuances that determine how long wearing braces will be. And we will also answer parents’ questions about how long children under the age of 15 wear braces on their teeth, and how many years older children wear braces. And if you choose braces to correct your child’s bite, is it painful to wear them?
Factors that influence the speed of bite correction:
- Degree of bite deformation. With slight changes that may not even be visually noticeable, with the help of fixed orthodontic systems it is possible to correct all defects within six months. For children under 7 years of age, removable structures may be offered instead of braces, which will also help correct crooked teeth and maintain the bite. If there are serious bite anomalies, after a complete diagnosis, the doctor will suggest the most optimal type of braces and then the correction period will be longer, within several years.
- Torsion of dental units. If you have excessively twisted teeth, removal of some dental units is recommended to install braces. This is due to the fact that when the teeth are twisted, there are no normal spaces between the teeth and installing braces will be problematic. Therefore, the period of dental correction for this pathology will also be longer.
- Condition of oral tissues, gums, periodontium. If you do not have problems with gums and periodontal disease, you have not previously treated gingivitis, periodontitis and periodontal disease, and you have never had dental units removed or implanted, you will not wear braces for as long as patients who have these problems
- Patient's age. Currently, braces can be installed at any age; there are differences only in the types of braces that are more effective for different cases. However, in children under 13–14 years of age, it is possible to correct the bite much faster than in adults. And this is due to the incompletely formed permanent bite, because children’s teeth are more amenable to correction and curvatures are corrected faster.
- Types and models of bracket systems. Each braces model has its own advantages and disadvantages. Due to modern mechanisms, some models of braces allow you to correct your bite in a shorter period of time. And an experienced orthodontist will always be able to correctly advise the patient which braces are preferable and which will be more effective.
Therefore, an experienced orthodontist always takes these factors into account and conducts full examination patient and monitors the dynamics of dental correction. This is the only way to more accurately say how long adults or children wear braces on their teeth.
Timing of bite correction for various pathologies
When a patient gets braces, the wearing time depends primarily on the degree of deformation of the teeth and dentition. Orthodontists identify a clear relationship between the degree of pathological changes and the timing of bite correction.
- The period of bite correction with braces is up to 1 year - in the presence of defects in several dental units. If there are single defects, the minimum period of wearing braces is 7 months.
- The period of bite correction with braces is 1.5 years - in the presence of malocclusions, defects of more than 3 dental units
- The period of occlusion correction with a brace - design is 2.5 years - in the presence of serious pathological changes in the occlusion, jaws, changes, facial asymmetry
These pictures show the stages of wearing braces
Depending on the type of braces chosen, doctors also allocate certain periods for wearing each braces. This list shows how long braces of different models are worn:
IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW:
- Metal braces are a classic model. The correction period in most cases takes 1-1.5 years
- Modern lingual braces are a new type of invisible braces - structures that are invisible on the teeth. The correction period in most cases takes 1.5 - 2 years
- Plastic braces are an economical option for braces systems. The correction period in most cases takes 1 - 2.5 years
- Sapphire transparent braces are quite expensive, but at the same time extremely aesthetic. The correction period in most cases takes 1 – 2.7 years
- Ceramic braces are classic white braces that match the color of natural teeth.
The correction period in most cases takes 1–3 years
Of course, the speed of teeth correction is individual for each person, and the doctor cannot always say exactly how long the patient will have to wear braces. However, the general rule for all is that in children under 15 years of age, it is possible to correct the bite with braces faster by 5 to 7 months. And after removing the braces, the retention period will also proceed much faster.
Many people ask how long adults wear braces. For people over 25 years of age, teeth can only be corrected with braces – a design that lasts for several years. Also, doctors often hear the question, is it possible to wear braces during pregnancy? Currently, installing braces is not contraindicated, and the only thing that can stop a doctor is the woman’s nervousness and fear of the procedure.
The question - how long to wear braces - does not have a specific answer, it all depends on the individual characteristics of the patient. An experienced orthodontist will always be able to tell you how to wear braces, how to care for the structure and teeth, and schedule regular examinations, but it is impossible to predict the time by which the teeth will become perfectly straight. Therefore, a guarantee of successful bite restoration is compliance with visits to the attending doctor for correction of the brace system and compliance with all doctor’s recommendations.
Do your teeth hurt after getting braces?
After installing braces, almost every patient asks whether wearing braces really hurts and what to do to prevent teeth from hurting? Also, many parents ask, does it hurt to wear braces for children?
After installing braces, it is important for the first few weeks to eat a gentle diet and not drink too cold or hot drinks. At first there will be discomfort in the oral cavity, and, as a rule, all patients adapt by the second week. But if painful sensations continue, you should contact your treating orthodontist to find out the cause of the pain.
What do you wear after braces are removed?
Before installing braces, each patient is warned that after removing the structure, there will still be a stage of consolidating the result obtained with the help of special retainers. But not everyone understands what we are talking about and what they wear after braces. Currently, orthodontists, after removing braces, install a special retention arch that will prevent the teeth from returning to their previous, incorrect position. However, for many it is still not clear how long to wear retainers after braces, or how long to wear mouth guards after braces.
For retainers, the rule is simple - the period of wearing the device should be twice as long as the period of wearing braces. But after removing the retention arch, you can already use trays or plates at night. This is the only way to fully maintain the achieved result and prevent the bite from changing back.
Braces are the only orthodontic fixed structures that can completely restore and correct the bite at any age. If you decide to install braces, but do not know how long the teeth correction will take in your case, please contact experienced doctors, and after undergoing a full examination, you will be able to find out the expected time frame for smile restoration.
Contact the Dentistry Guide - and we will find the best solution for you. Our specialists will provide up-to-date information about the best dental clinics in the city, and you can choose for yourself the best doctor and make the right decision about bite correction.
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One of the most popular treatment methods in dentistry, namely orthodontics, is braces. They are diverse, both in shape and in the material from which they are made (read more about the types of braces in our articles). For each patient and each individual clinical case, the orthodontist selects a suitable brace system. Of course, just like her choice, the period of wearing braces is strictly individual. In this article we will look at how long you need to wear braces, what you wear after removing braces, and what are the stages of wearing braces.
Who needs braces and for how long?
Why do they wear braces at all? This question is of interest to those lucky people who do not have problems with their teeth. In fact, even healthy-looking people who do not have dental pathologies wear braces. Often, wearing braces is indicated for those who have problems with their bite and dentition in general. And this, by the way, is almost 80% of the entire world population! Another thing is that many people do not go to the dentist because nothing bothers them. But the absence of pain and discomfort does not mean that the disease does not exist. This is one of the unspoken rules of medicine in general. Therefore, if you want to warn yourself and make sure that you have absolutely healthy teeth and bite, visit an orthodontist.
And yet, how long do you wear braces? To answer this question, let’s figure out what determines the duration of wearing braces.
- The complexity of a particular clinical case and the individual characteristics of the patient’s disease
Perhaps this is the most main factor, which determines how long you need to wear braces. So, for example, if a patient has only crooked teeth, then he will have to wear braces less than someone who has a malocclusion or misalignment of the dentition in general. That is why questions like “how long do you need to wear braces to straighten your teeth?” you need to give an answer only taking into account how crooked these teeth are and whether there is any concomitant pathology.
Age anatomical and physiological characteristics and the ability to move teeth directly affect how long you need to wear braces. So, an adult will still need a little more time for treatment and wearing braces than a child with a similar disease.
- Bracket system used
The bracket system, as we said earlier, can be made of various materials and have different designs. For example, ceramic braces need to be worn a little longer than classic metal alloy braces. Wearing lingual braces also takes longer than wearing vestibular braces due to more complex design and installations. 
In addition to the characteristics of the braces system, the period of wearing braces is also influenced by the manufacturer of them. Various companies specializing in the manufacture of orthodontic equipment and materials offer their own treatment periods.
- Accuracy of installation and correct wearing and care of braces
When installing a brace system, it is important to observe three parameters that are determined during the diagnosis and selection of braces: width, height and angle of inclination. If the orthodontist was able to correctly install the brace system, then its wearing time will be significantly reduced. Also, the treatment period will depend on how the patient himself cares for his braces: how thoroughly and how often he cleans them, what he eats, and whether he follows the recommendations of his doctor.
This is another important aspect that directly affects how long braces are worn. If a patient, for example, has malocclusion and crooked teeth, but he asks the orthodontist to just straighten his teeth, then treatment will take almost half as much time as a full range of treatment measures.
- Qualification and professionalism of an orthodontist
The quality of workmanship cannot be underestimated medical procedures and the skills of the orthodontist himself. Obviously, what more professional doctor, meanwhile, the time of wearing braces will be an order of magnitude shorter.
Considering all these aspects, the average time to wear braces is 1.5-2 years. With proper installation and proper care, as well as the initial stages of orthodontic disease, the treatment period can last up to a year, and in more difficult cases- up to 3 years. 
Stages of wearing braces
How long to wear braces is determined by your attending physician. But the stages of wearing braces remain unchanged for absolutely all orthodontic patients. So, here is what awaits a patient who is indicated for installation of a braces system:
1. Initial consultation and diagnostic procedures
This stage consists of collecting anamnesis, complaints, external and instrumental examination of the patient. An orthodontist may also order an x-ray to determine the presence of invisible changes in the dentition and jaws. These are: an orthopantomogram (a panoramic photograph of the upper and lower jaws) and a teleroentgenogram (a photograph of the skull in a lateral projection). Besides these instrumental studies, take impressions and photograph the patient’s face from the front and side.
2. Development individual plan treatment, according to protocols approved by the Ministry of Health.
At this stage, the orthodontist collects all the material about the patient, selects a suitable brace system and determines how long the patient needs to wear braces. 
3. Dental treatment and cleaning the oral cavity
The braces system can only be installed on healthy teeth. That is why, if a patient has accompanying illnesses Basically, they first of all need to be cured. To do this, the orthodontist prescribes a consultation with a periodontist and a dental therapist. Sometimes the patient has to visit a dental surgeon to remove teeth that interfere with the installation of braces.
4. Direct installation of the bracket system.
The installation of the braces system is carried out by the attending orthodontist. This procedure often does not take more than 1 hour.
5. The process of wearing braces.
Earlier in this article, we looked at how long braces are worn. At this stage, the patient must visit his doctor once every 1-2 months so that he can monitor the correct displacement of the dentition.
6. Removing braces and installing retainers.
Before removing braces, special wires are installed - retainers - which fix the dentition. We will talk about them a little later in our article. 
Bracket system: care and nutritional habits of patients while wearing
We figured out how long braces are worn. Another key point that concerns many patients is proper care and appropriate nutrition during this treatment. You can read about methods for cleaning braces and all the accessories necessary for this procedure in our article “Brush for braces.” And we offer an answer to the most common question of all orthodontic patients: “What can’t you eat when you wear braces?”
So, while wearing braces it is contraindicated to use:
- Solid vegetables and fruits.
- Viscous confectionery products (taffy, sweets) and nuts.
- Coffee, tea, sparkling water (but only if the patient wears ceramic and sapphire braces, which may stain slightly).
- Too hot and too cold food.
- Meat can be eaten, but with great caution.
These recommendations do not mean that you will have to give up all of the above products. First of all, you need to limit the amount of them in your diet. Vegetables and fruits can be baked or boiled to make them softer, and meat can be chopped into steamed cutlets or for meat casseroles. The main principle of nutrition while wearing braces is gentle food. 
What after braces?
It is a mistaken belief that after wearing braces, treatment ends. In fact, the patient faces a long period of adaptation and recovery period. It is important for all orthodontic patients who previously had braces to know what to wear after removing braces.
It doesn’t matter how many years you wear braces, in any case, after they are removed, you need to install so-called retainers. These structures, as we have already said, have the appearance of ordinary wire. They are placed on the inner (lingual) part of the teeth. Retainers are completely invisible and extremely comfortable. They are designed to prevent reverse displacement of the dentition.
Now our readers know how long to wear braces, how long adults wear braces, how to eat while wearing braces, and what to wear after removing braces. If you are interested in other information about braces (sapphire and ceramic, lingual and vestibular), read our articles and subscribe to updates.
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How long to wear braces for a perfect smile
The duration of the course is influenced by many factors: age, clinical picture, system design model, desired end result. On average, it may take a year for minor deviations and up to three years if we are talking about various types of pathologies. An experienced orthodontist will determine how long to wear braces in each specific case and draw up a step-by-step treatment program.
What determines the duration of wearing braces?
If you are serious about correcting your bite, you cannot stop halfway. The question of how long to wear braces is one of the most frequently asked questions among patients. At the same time, everyone should prepare for the fact that the therapeutic period can be long, the required minimum is about a year.
Let's consider the factors that determine the time of fixation of the orthodontic structure on the teeth:
- Original picture. The first thing a specialist looks at is the neglect of the condition. Real deadlines are set after diagnosis - if pathology is present, it is especially important to ensure the proper condition of the gums;
- Crowding. When this anomaly is detected, patients often worry about how long they need to wear any braces to straighten their teeth. Indeed, the course may be delayed due to the need to expand the row by removing some molars;
- Age. You can install the system at almost any age - it is advisable to do it before the age of 30, but during puberty changes occur much more quickly;
- Design. Today, preference is given to modern brace systems, which demonstrate a better effect, although this does not reduce treatment time.
Comparison of modern braces
The first braces appeared at the beginning of the 20th century; today there are many varieties of this device. Each has advantages and disadvantages, in in this case It is the period of wearing the system that is being considered - let’s figure out which of them operate in a shorter period of time:
- Metal. It takes from a year to a year and a half to correct the situation, this is the best result. Disadvantages include unaesthetics and the possibility of gum irritation;
- Plastic. It may take from a year to 2.5 years, the main disadvantage is fragility, in terms of budget they are comparable to metal ones;
- Sapphire. Duration of therapy - from one to three years, comfortable and aesthetic, but fragile at a fairly high cost;
- Ceramic. Service life - 1 - 3 years, durable and safe, but not cheap, can negatively affect diction, are not prescribed for complex treatment;
- Lingual. The first improvements occur after a year and a half of treatment, the maximum duration of the course is 2.5 years. It is a durable, comfortable design with high cost and limitation for patients with short front teeth.
Pathologies requiring a short course of therapy
At physiological pathology bite, the period of treatment with braces may not be very long. We are talking about the characteristics of individual molars, when there is no need to radically influence the development of the entire jaw. The minimum period for wearing braces is about a year; factors that can make adjustments are the age of the patient and the design used.
As an example of such a pathology, we can take the presence of a middle diastema - a small gap between the incisors - or tremata that disappear after the eruption of permanent molars. That is, the first developmental defects can be visible even before the onset of adolescence, upon reaching which the orthodontist will advise putting on braces.
And in case of dystopia or tooth eruption in the wrong place, surgical intervention is performed before installing the system. The nature of this pathology lies in the initially incorrect formation of tooth germs, diseases suffered by the mother during pregnancy, and sometimes in birth injuries. The treatment program depends on how much the molar with pathology has had time to affect the neighboring units.
When will braces have to be worn longer?
If abnormal development concerns the entire jaw, accordingly the process of aligning the dentition becomes more complicated and the time required for this increases. It is difficult to say how much it will cost to correct the entire bite; not only the timing and complexity of the situation are taken into account, the amount also varies according to the region of residence and the pricing policy of dentistry.
Complex bite pathologies
There are five common jaw development abnormalities:
- Distal bite. Due to insufficient development of the lower jaw, the upper jaw overhangs over it. How long a patient with this problem wears braces is decided individually, it is about 2 years;
- Mesial type. Here, on the contrary, we are talking about pushing the lower jaw forward; in addition to the fact that the defect spoils a person’s appearance, problems arise with diction and rapid grinding of the enamel;
- Cross type. There is a horizontal displacement of the lower jaw relative to the upper jaw - with a slight degree of change, the course can take no more than a year and a half;
- Deep incisal overlap. With uniform development of both jaws, there is an overhang of the upper dentition over the lower one. Optimal age to correct the bite there could be a period of 5 to 9 years, but experts talk about a different figure - 12-15 years;
- Open bite. It is characterized by incomplete closure and occurs in children at an early age; among adults this type is much less common. To straighten teeth, braces, plates, trainers, Frenkel and Andresen-Goipl apparatus are used.
Why treatment may take longer
Often, a patient who is faced with the need to install an orthodontic structure for the first time has a lot of questions. Let's say which braces to choose, how long to wear, or what can go wrong and how to speed up the process. And proper nutrition plays an important role in the success of therapy. Here is a list of products that will have to be excluded:
- Chewing gum;
- Nougat, toffee (sweets with a sticky and viscous texture);
- Baking;
- Red wine, coffee, berries - coloring products not compatible with clear braces.
There is also no need to explain the importance of proper hygiene - the use of floss, irrigator, balms, brushing your teeth after every meal. Otherwise, instead of shining after removing the system snow-white smile, you will have to go to a specialist to treat your gums or fill advanced caries.
Duration of pediatric braces therapy
It is worth repeating once again that you can put on an orthodontic device no earlier than 12 years. It's all about the not fully formed maxillofacial tissues; after a complete change of temporary molars, there is no risk for further interventions. To avoid having to install braces in adulthood, when it is much more difficult to influence the initial data, it is better to contact an orthodontist in time and follow his advice.
When prescribing a therapeutic course, the personal characteristics of the young patient are taken into account: how much bone is susceptible to external influences and what scale of changes in the bite one has to deal with. A good immune system of adolescents copes with its tasks; the main thing is to properly monitor oral hygiene. They often enjoy wearing braces, especially if it is a colored model.
Returning to the question of how long children need to wear braces, this is at least one and a half to two years, if we are not talking about a serious pathology.
How long does treatment last for adult patients?
The occlusion is finally formed by the age of 25; until this point, the likelihood of the most effective changes remains. Although age is not a determining factor, the duration of the course increases by 6-8 months and the question arises whether it is worth wearing the system after thirty.
The answer is definitely positive; the choice you make will definitely pay for itself. At the same time, with age, metabolic and regenerative processes in the body slow down, the tactics change - first the size of the dentition is adjusted, then the effect on individual molars occurs. How long adults need to wear braces also depends on the clinical picture.
The duration of wearing the braces system may increase due to the choice in favor of less effective, but more presentable designs. This is a short-sighted strategy; sapphire and ceramic systems will make life more comfortable, but efficiency may be reduced. For example, due to an increase in wearing time, patients begin to neglect careful hygiene.
The answer to the question of how long adults wear braces may not be optimistic, but 2-3 years is not such a long time.
When to expect the first changes
Regardless of how long you need to wear braces in each particular case, there are general standards. In the first month, small improvements are noted, in three months - more significant ones, indicating the correctness of the chosen treatment program.
If no visible changes occur within the specified period, do not rush to get upset. A specialist determines how long to wear braces after a thorough diagnosis and selection of a design; the main thing is to get into a positive mood.
Please note that improvements occur gradually, which means they are invisible to your eye. There is a good solution - ask to evaluate the situation loved one, from the outside, perhaps it will become more understandable. Remember that if you are not a teenager, you should not expect quick results, be patient.
How to consolidate success after removing the system
The retention period is a full-fledged part of bite correction therapy, designed to obtain a stable effect. If before this you were thinking about how long you need to wear braces, multiply this period by two - this is exactly how long it takes to wear retainers.
What it is? A special orthodontic device in the shape of an arch is attached to the inside of the jaw; mouth guards are often additionally prescribed to straighten the teeth. The new design is removable, for an adult this is a guarantee that there will be no rollback to the previous state; in some cases, a retainer can be prescribed for preventive wear throughout life.
It is worth mentioning that the duration of the retention period does not always depend on how long the braces are placed. In children with their strong root system, a consistently positive effect is observed after 2-3 years.
On the other hand, if the patient is over 35 years old and has a tendency to relapse, a non-removable fixation structure is prescribed. Required condition - regular visit orthodontist, you can’t stop halfway.
How does a mouth guard work?
This orthodontic equipment completely matches the patient’s bite, is transparent and does not cause discomfort during fixation. It is made of transparent plastic and is completely hypoallergenic. Sometimes a patient may have a retainer in place, but a mouth guard is used at the same time to achieve maximum results.
The wearing period is about a year; for the first few months it is recommended to use the device every day at night. After a further visit to the orthodontist, a decision may be made to use the mouth guard every other day, and then periodically as a preventative measure.
Records as an alternative
It happens that there is no need to wear retainers; orthodontic plates that are simpler in design are prescribed. This is a custom-made plate made of polymer and wire that is fixed to the gum and palate. It is impossible to say unambiguously how many years therapeutic orthodontic plates are worn; it depends on the recommendations of a specialist, but no more than two years.
Counting the months and years: the minimum and maximum period of wearing braces
Today, braces are the most popular treatment method in orthodontics. They differ in their shape and material of manufacture.
For each patient, the orthodontist individually selects the most suitable brace system.
Many patients wonder how long they need to wear braces to achieve desired result?
Quite an interesting question, because each case is individual, requiring a separate approach and period of wearing bite-correcting structures. Today we will talk about this topic in more detail.
What circumstances can affect the duration of wear?
Most often, these devices are prescribed to people who have dental abnormalities, which is approximately 82% of the total population of our planet. Of course, not all people pay attention to congenital pathology of the oral cavity, and for this reason they do not consult a doctor.
Many people are sincerely confident in the question of how many years they wear braces on their teeth, that they need to be with them almost all their lives in order to achieve the desired result. This is a fairly common misconception. To dispel it, let's determine what affects the period of wearing braces.
The duration of wearing braces is influenced by the following factors:
Minimum term
The use of braces is completely based on the natural processes and mechanisms of the human body.
Braces only put pressure on the teeth, and it is important that this pressure is correctly determined by the orthodontist. Because of this, the teeth acquire the correct position.
The pressure level should be adjusted so that the patient does not experience severe discomfort. Teeth straighten rather slowly, since this process cannot be artificially accelerated.
If you want to speed up this process, you must first consult with your doctor about the type of orthodontic structure. For example, by sacrificing the aesthetic component, you can give preference to metal braces over ceramic ones. This will speed up the process of teeth restoration and straightening.
Most often, experts call optimal time use of orthodontic structures - 1 year.
This is the minimum time in which a minor dental defect can be corrected.
In such a short period of time, you can straighten the shape or bite of teeth at the age of 12-16 years. Regarding older age, during this period only minor anomalies in the curvature of the teeth can be corrected.
Maximum term
First of all, a long period of wear is associated with serious defects in the dentition, which are difficult to correct. This treatment can last 3 years.
Within such a period, it is quite possible to get rid of complex deformities that interfere with the natural movement and closure of the jaws.
However, such long terms are caused exclusively by complex clinical cases in orthodontics. In this case, the doctor first prescribes a classic braces system, which is eventually replaced with plates or transparent aligners at the discretion of the orthodontist.
The specialist prescribes an individual course for removing dental deformation strictly on an individual basis. Only after examining the patient can he give a more accurate conclusion on the timing.
It is also worth mentioning additional nuances, which may increase the maximum period of wearing braces. We are now talking about possible breakdowns. Patients often encounter various breakdowns of the braces design.
There can be many reasons why a bite-correcting structure may fail:
- in the process of aligning the dentition, significant pressure is exerted on the structure, as a result of which a defect or unforeseen breakdown of individual parts of the system may occur;
- careless use of briquette care accessories can also lead to breakage;
- Eating too hard foods can deform the entire structure or its individual parts.
If the patient notices that the integrity of the system is compromised, you should immediately contact a specialist. Only in special clinical settings You can fix broken braces and adjust them properly.
How long do adults wear braces on their teeth?
The course of correction of defects in adults takes much longer than in children.
The increase in treatment period is directly related to the changes that occur in the human body after 30 years of age:
- slow metabolism;
- complete stop in the development of the skeletal system;
- reduced ability to regenerate tissue cells.
All existing defects in the oral cavity are corrected solely due to the forceful displacement of teeth by the orthodontic system. There are cases when adults have to remove certain teeth so that the dentition can take its place.
Also, in rare cases, surgical interventions can be used to change the size of the jaw. This method is quite developed and popular in Western countries. In most cases this method associated with changes in facial shape.
For long-term wear, ceramic or lingual braces are mainly used. Aligners can also be used to correct dental defects, but most orthodontists do not consider these removable systems to be effective enough.
As for adults, there are no age restrictions for using braces. They can be installed either at 25 or at 50.
The main obstacles are some pathologies and diseases:
- mental imbalance;
- weakened immune system;
- venereal diseases;
- absence of most teeth;
- discord endocrine system, blood disease.
Duration of bite correction in children
Doctors advise starting to use orthodontic construction at a time when the teeth are still quite pliable. This period is from 11 to 14 years.
It is from this period that the growth of the jaw system stops, the teeth are able to withstand the stress of braces.
The presence of second molars is also necessary; without cutting through them, it is impossible to begin treatment, since they can come out at the wrong moment, when the entire structure is attached to the teeth.
How long does a child or teenager need to wear braces to straighten their teeth? In most cases, children and teenagers wear braces for 8-9 months less than adults. Moreover, in young patients, the retention period is significantly reduced, which requires the use of removable aligners to consolidate the main effect.
The decision regarding the need to install an orthodontic structure is made on the basis of x-rays taken.
Video on the topic
The director of one of the dental clinics about the duration of wearing orthodontic structures:
So, you probably now understand how long you need to wear braces on your teeth, and all the myths and misconceptions about this have been dispelled. If you want to shorten the wearing period of the structure, make it a rule to strictly follow all the orthodontist’s recommendations and not eat too hard foods in your diet. Periodically inspect the structure for damage and deformation. At the first suspicion of a violation of its integrity, immediately consult a doctor.
How long can I tolerate this? How long do adults and children need to wear braces on their teeth?
Braces
What determines the duration of wearing braces?
The duration of wearing braces is individual for each person. The duration is influenced by many factors:
- Age – the older the patient, the more difficult it is to change the position of the teeth
- Features of the bite - the more complex the case, the more time it takes to correct the position of the teeth
- Individual reaction - some patients experience severe discomfort when wearing braces due to strong pressure, which is why they have to be loosened, which increases the time it takes for the bite to change
- Braces Design – Different designs of orthodontic braces change the bite at different rates.
How do wearing periods depend on the choice of brace systems? (terms for each type of system)
Metal braces
The most common type of construction. It is popular due to the optimal combination of strength and price. Unfortunately, this design is quite noticeable to others, so if you do not want to draw attention to your teeth while wearing braces, it is better to choose a different type of braces. The wearing period of such a system is minimal compared to others - from one to one and a half years.
Lingual
This type is suitable for those who are embarrassed to wear braces. The bracket is installed on the back surface of the tooth and is completely invisible to others. But there are also disadvantages: such a system is expensive and not suitable for everyone (if you have short teeth, it will not be possible to install it), and can also cause short-term problems with diction. If your work requires you to communicate a lot with people, then it is better to install this type of braces at the beginning of your vacation so that you have time to get used to the new sensations. This design will help correct your bite in one and a half to two and a half years.
Plastic
The design differs from metal in that the plates attached to the teeth are plastic. Because of this, this type of braces is quite fragile. The good thing is that the plates can be ordered in any color you choose, making them great for kids compared to boring metal braces. You need to wear such a system from a year to two and a half.
Sapphire
Sapphire braces, like metal ones, are attached to the outside of the tooth, but due to the transparency of the material, they are less noticeable to others. They are also perfect for people with weak mucous membranes; they have almost no traumatic effect. Such a system is quite expensive and requires special, careful care. The wearing period of this system can last from one to three years.
Ceramic
The system is attached to the outside of the tooth. Despite this, they are almost invisible to others due to the plates, the color of which is individually selected to match the color of the enamel. This type of braces is highly durable and does not cause allergies at all, which allows anyone to wear them. This design also has a number of disadvantages: first of all, it is the size of the structure, which can cause short-term disturbances in diction; secondly, ceramics can change color under the influence of food coloring. Another disadvantage is the high cost of installing such a bracket system. Correcting a bite with this design takes from one to three years, depending on the individual characteristics of the patient.
The length of time you wear braces depends on their type.
How long should adults wear braces on their teeth?
As mentioned above, the period of wearing braces also depends on the age of the patient. This is due to the fact that over the years our body does not regenerate as quickly as in childhood and adolescence, metabolism becomes slower, and bones stop growing. It often turns out that there is no room to move incorrectly positioned teeth, and the doctor is forced to remove healthy tooth to free up space and allow the teeth to move into an even position.
All this prolongs the process of wearing braces by 6 – 8 months. Fortunately, there is no upper threshold for getting braces, and you can improve your bite at any age.
IMPORTANT! Not everyone can have braces installed. There are contraindications for its installation. These include:
- Mental illness
- Tuberculosis
- Venereal diseases
- Immune system diseases
- Blood diseases
- Absence of a large number of teeth
How long do children wear braces?
Still, it is better to get braces as early as possible. In childhood and adolescence, it is easier to correct the position of teeth due to rapid tissue regeneration and greater bone plasticity.
But don’t rush and install the system too early. The optimal age is 10 - 13 years, when the last painters have erupted. If you hurry and do not wait for this event, then the replaced teeth can again ruin the bite, and all your efforts to change it will be useless. Moreover, placing braces too early can affect the roots of young teeth, leading to serious problems later on.
The period of wearing braces for children is 7 months less than for adults, and the retention period is 50% less.
Children are able to straighten their teeth faster
How long if the teeth are not very crooked?
Mild bite pathologies include:
- The presence of gaps between the teeth (diastema - a gap between the incisors, the so-called gap; trema - a gap between any teeth except the incisors, often observed in children before the change of milk teeth)
- Crowding of incisors. This is common in people with a small jaw, causing the teeth to lack space.
- Incorrect tooth eruption. In this case, this tooth is removed, and when wearing a brace system, the neighboring ones take its place and fill the space.
In case of mild malocclusion pathology, braces can be worn for up to a year. The duration will vary depending on age, the design of the system and the individual response of the patient.
IMPORTANT! Do not try to determine the degree of malocclusion on your own. This can only be done experienced dentist, and only he can set the period for wearing the braces.
Maximum period of wearing braces
With more complex occlusion pathologies, the period of wearing braces may be greatly increased, and it may also be necessary to surgery. Such pathologies include the following:
- Insufficient development of the lower jaw, or distal bite. With this pathology, the patient's upper jaw is larger than the lower jaw.
- The upper and lower dentitions do not meet in any part of the jaw. Dentists call this pathology open form bite
- Lonely development of the upper and lower jaw despite the fact that upper teeth overlap the lower ones quite strongly. This type is called a deep bite.
- Underdevelopment upper jaw, or mesial type. A person with this type of bite can be distinguished by the protruding lower jaw.
- Crossing of incisors when closing jaws.
In complex cases of malocclusion, its correction can take a maximum period of three years, and the retention period in rare cases can last a lifetime.
How long does the retention period last?
The retention period is the time it takes to fix the result of wearing a brace system.
To secure changes in the position of the teeth, a special structure (retainer) resembling an arch is installed in the jawbone. This device is fixed on the inside of the teeth, therefore it is invisible to others. Wearing a retainer cannot be neglected; without it, the teeth may return to their original place, and the result of installing braces will be reduced to zero.
Wearing a retainer is a long process and is approximately equal to two periods of wearing braces. If you wore a brace system for six months to correct your bite, then the retention period will be a year; if you wore braces for two years, then the retention period is four years, etc. For a child, the retention period is usually two to three years. For rare occasions severe forms malocclusion, this period can last a lifetime.
Wearing braces has long ceased to be a luxury and has become a common practice for treating malocclusion. All more people people who are dissatisfied with their smile correct their bite and become more confident and happy. If you also want to install a bracket system, contact your dentist, he will help you choose the optimal bracket design for you and advise on the timing, because they are individual.
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), Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department maxillofacial surgery And surgical dentistry KSMA, assistant to the head. department of educational work. Awarded the medal "Excellence in Dentistry" in 2016.
How long do you wear braces on your teeth? This is one of the main questions that patients at a dental clinic ask after a diagnosis of malocclusion is established. But no one can indicate the exact timing of wearing the structure, since this is determined by many factors, namely: the degree of pronounced anomaly, the chosen model of braces, the age of the patient, compliance with all the rules for using the orthodontic structure, and the accuracy of the selection and installation of the system. Let’s try to analyze all these factors that influence the timing of wearing braces, so that we can at least know approximately how long braces are worn.
In Orthodontics, all bite pathologies are divided into 3 classes (according to Engel), depending on the position in which the dentitions close. The first class is physiological, when the dentition has the correct relationship, but minor defects in the arrangement of individual teeth can be observed.
- The presence of a middle gap is a small gap that is located between the incisors. During the period of early mixed dentition, this pathology is considered normal, but by the age of five the patient should close the gap. If this does not happen, the pathology is corrected by wearing a brace system or using mouth guards.
- Crowding of the anterior incisors. Pathology is formed when the size of the teeth does not correspond to the size of the arch - the lateral permanent molars and premolars erupted correctly, but the front incisors did not have enough space. In this case, the orthodontist may suggest solving the problem by removing one incisor, and then using a braces system to align the remaining ones.
- The location of all the teeth is correct, but there are gaps between them - three. This is considered normal for a milk bite. Baby teeth deliberately move apart, making room for permanent molars, premolars, incisors and canines, which are larger in size, which means they will need more space. But if the bite has already been formed, and there are gaps left, food debris will get clogged between the spaces, provoking the development of caries and gum inflammation.
- The eruption of a tooth is not in the place where it is supposed to be – dystopia or transposition. The reasons for the development of such a pathology can be very diverse: initially incorrect location of tooth germs, illnesses suffered by the mother in the first trimester of pregnancy, injuries to the child during childbirth - often due to the use of special forceps, which are used during obstetrics. To correct the pathology, an incorrectly located tooth is removed, and all adjacent teeth are moved to the correct position using a braces system.
To correct all of the above anomalies, the period of wearing braces is about a year. But other factors also matter here, such as the patient’s age and the correct design (we’ll look at it later).
The period of wearing braces increases significantly in case of more serious malocclusion pathologies - 2nd and 3rd class according to Engel. These forms of pathology development are more serious. During their formation, not only a certain tooth has an incorrect location, but also disturbances occur in the development of the entire jaw.
Second and third class of pathologies
- – underdevelopment of the lower jaw, where the upper jaw begins to prevail over it.
- – underdevelopment of the upper jaw. In this case lower jaw moves forward a lot, which is why the patient’s face has a depressed shape.
- – the dentitions do not close together in the front or lateral parts of the dentitions.
- – the upper rows of teeth significantly overlap the lower ones. It differs from the mesial type in that the jaws are equally developed.
- – when the dentitions close, the incisors intersect.
These 5 forms of malocclusion require longer-term correction. Here you will not only need to correct the position of a certain tooth, but also form the jaw arch itself. Wearing the brace system can last up to three years, after which it will take another 4–6 years to record the results obtained.
Wearing periods associated with the selected design model
Many patients choose brace systems that will be less noticeable on the teeth, and not everyone takes into account the fact that the period of correction of the pathology greatly depends on the design model. To better understand what we are talking about, let's try to compare the characteristics of all existing models.
| Construction type | Positive sides | Negative sides | Terms of wearing |
| Installation occurs on the inside of the tooth. This allows the structure to be invisible to others. They have good durability. | High price. Installation is not possible with short front teeth. | One and a half to two and a half years. | |
| Variety of colors. Low cost. | Can be colored with food coloring. They are fragile. | A year - two and a half. | |
| Good strength. Low price. | Very noticeable to others. May rub and irritate the oral mucosa. | A year - a year of confession. | |
| The transparency of the material used allows the design to be less noticeable. They do not stain and do not injure the mucous membrane. | High price. Special care. Fragility of the material. | 1–3 years | |
| Ceramic braces | Good strength. Invisible due to the ability to match the natural color of tooth enamel. Safe for health (does not cause allergic reactions). | High price. Can be colored with food coloring. Due to the large volume, problems with diction may occur. Unable to correct serious violations. | 1–3 years |
How long do adults and children wear braces?
The permanent bite is formed before the age of 25, when the outer molars (wisdom teeth) erupt. Over the course of these years, the jaw arches and the teeth themselves develop and take their position. This period is considered the most suitable for correcting malocclusions. The length of time to wear braces directly depends on the patient’s age, but let’s take a closer look at how exactly.
Duration of wearing braces in children and adolescents
You can install a braces system for a child only from 11 years old. A structure installed before this age can be harmful. The formation processes slow down from 11–13 years and completely stop at the age of 25. During this period, the teeth are already sufficiently developed to withstand the massive orthodontic structure and its load. But besides the age category of the patient, there is one more important point - the mandatory eruption of the second molars. As a rule, treatment does not begin without them. If these teeth erupt while wearing braces, then all the results achieved will be reduced to zero.
If a brace system is used before a child is eleven years of age, this can cause disturbances in the development of the entire root system, and in some cases, tooth loss. But in order to prepare the teeth for proper formation, before using heavy structures, they are prescribed to wear special aligners. In the future, this will help to significantly reduce the time spent wearing braces themselves.
Duration of wearing braces for adults
There are no age restrictions for installing braces for adults. The only obstacles can be existing general diseases, such as mental disorders, HIV, existing pathologies in immune system, tuberculosis, diseases of the endocrine system and blood, as well as the absence of a significant number of teeth.
The period of wearing braces for adults increases by 6–8 months. The reason for this is the natural processes that occur in the body of an adult after 30 years.
- all metabolic processes slow down;
- the growth of the skeleton, and therefore the dental system, stops;
- Tissue regeneration occurs more slowly.
The consequence of this is the ability to correct malocclusion pathology only by changing the size of the dentition and then displacing incorrectly positioned teeth. Most often, in order to achieve positive result, an adult has to have one or more teeth removed. Thus, space is freed up for the rest, where they are moved using an orthodontic structure.
Another factor in increasing the period of wearing braces in adults is an incorrectly chosen design. Many patients choose sapphire or ceramic systems to hide the entire treatment process. They are less noticeable to others, but significantly increase the treatment time.
In children, the period of wearing structures is reduced by 5–7 months. The retention period is also reduced by 2 times - the time when removable aligners are used after braces to fix the result and prevent the teeth from returning to their original position.
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.
The period of wearing braces goes into the retention period
The retention period is a mandatory stage of treatment for correcting occlusion pathology during which the result is recorded. This happens with the help of a retainer - an orthodontic device that has the shape of an arc. It is installed on the inside of the jaw and is a removable structure. Every patient should understand that by neglecting the retention period, the teeth will return to their original position.
To record a positive result, the period of wearing retainers is equal to two periods of wearing the braces system. Sometimes the patient has to use this design all his life to prevent recurrence of the pathology. These indicators apply only to the adult category of patients. Everything is easier for children. Thanks to an even stronger root system, positive results are recorded faster. For a child, the retention period will be 2–3 years.
The minimum period for wearing braces is 6 months, and the maximum is 3 years. The difference in these periods depends on the age of the patient, how severe the bite pathology is and how the treatment is carried out. Often the doctor himself cannot indicate the exact timing. It happens when at the beginning of treatment one deadline was set, but then the entire correction process has to be adjusted and the deadlines increase. Sometimes teeth after successful treatment occupy the original position, you have to start all over again. All this is individual, so the question of how long to wear braces remains without an exact answer.
Sources used:
- Borkowski R.N. The biologically based case for truly light-force mechanics, Clinical Impressions, Vol 13 (1), 2004
- V. N. Trezubov, A. S. Shcherbakov, R. A. Fadeev. Orthodontics. - Nizhny Novgorod: Medical book, 2001.
