When Do I Get My Braces Off?

Getting braces is an exciting milestone for any person looking for a straighter smile. As our most popular treatment option, braces do a great job of correcting bad bites or malocclusions, so the smile you’ll see at the end of treatment will really wow you. The process of straightening your teeth is what the Bowen Family Orthodontics team loves about braces, but we know that what you love is the end result. You’re probably already asking: when do I get my braces off? 

Although there is no one easy answer to this question, there are many factors that play a role in your expected treatment time. Keep reading to learn more!

What Are The Benefits of Braces?

We’re so glad you asked! Most people believe that braces are just for aesthetics, and while they do work for cosmetic purposes, there are so many more benefits. 

General Health – Braces work wonders for your physical health. A straight smile can improve your digestion, relieve headaches, and even alleviate issues like sleep apnea. 

Cleaner Teeth – 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.

Increased Self-Esteem – 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.

What Factors Affect My Treatment Time? 

When it comes to orthodontic treatment, every smile has its own unique treatment plan, and that means treatment times are different for everyone, too. While there may be many factors that affect how long you’ll wear braces, these are the most common.

Your Treatment Plan

At Bowen Family Orthodontics, braces aren’t your only option! With metal braces, clear braces, and Invisalign clear aligners, you have choices when it comes to treating your smile – and they may affect how long you’ll be in treatment. Depending on your orthodontic condition at your free consultation, Dr. Bowen may recommend one of these options: 

Metal Braces: Metal braces use a system of brackets and wires to align your smile over time. By meeting with Dr. Bowen every six to eight weeks, you’ll get the smile you love. Some patients spend as little as six months in braces, while others can spend up to two years. 

Clear Braces: Ceramic braces work the same way metal braces do. Designed for aesthetics, our clear braces are smaller than ever and are made of nearly invisible, tooth-colored polycrystalline ceramic material that blends in with your smile. Depending on your orthodontic condition, you can expect to wear clear braces between six months and two years.

Invisalign: Invisalign is a system of custom-made, clear acrylic aligners designed to straighten your teeth and align your bite. Each aligner is personalized to fit your unique smile. You’ll get a new set of custom-made aligners every couple of weeks, so you can expect treatment to take between nine and 15 months. 

Your Age

Our Bowen Family Orthodontics team believes that everyone deserves a beautiful smile, no matter how old they are. We offer treatment plans for kids, teens, and adults alike! However, depending on your age, the time you spend in braces could change. 

Adults: If you’re over the age of 18, your treatment might take longer than average. That’s because your jaw is more permanent than your child or teen’s jaw, so treatment requires extra effort to correct misalignment. 

Teens: The most common age for braces falls in the teenage years. That’s because your teen has all of their adult teeth, and their jaw is still flexible enough for orthodontic treatment to take effect. Teens usually require the least amount of time in braces. 

Kids: According to the American Association of Orthodontics, children should visit an orthodontist as early as age seven for their first checkup. Early intervention allows Dr. Bowen to determine whether your child needs two-phase treatment, which requires two rounds of braces over a longer period of time – but don’t worry! The results are worth it. 

Your Role 

Taking care of your braces is a huge responsibility and can affect your treatment time in the long run. If you stay compliant with Dr. Bowen’s instructions, you may shorten your time spent in braces! If you don’t follow all instructions, you could extend it by accident. 

Keep these tips in mind while you’re wearing braces so you can keep your treatment time as short as possible: 

Attend your checkups: 

It’s essential to your treatment plan to attend every orthodontic appointment you can. Dr. Bowen 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. 

Follow instructions: 

Part of following Dr. Bowen’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. Bowen 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.  

Your Treatment Goals

Whether you’re treating your smile for an aesthetic touch-up or a severe malocclusion, your treatment goals play a role in how long you’ll wear braces. If you’re a patient with minor orthodontic issues, you may only wear braces for a short amount of time. If you have more complex problems, however, you might be in braces longer than average. 

Ask Dr. Bowen about your orthodontic condition. This may give you a better idea of how long treatment might take.  

We’re All Smiles In Mullica Hill!

Getting braces should be an exciting experience, and we make sure it is at Bowen Family Orthodontics. If you’re ready to get started on your straight smile journey, schedule your free consultation with Dr. Bowen today!

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram or TikTok to see what we’re up to between appointments!

Posted by Bowen Orthodontics