How Long Does Orthodontic Treatment Take For Adults?
Orthodontic treatment for adult patients
Straight teeth are possible at any age
If you’re an adult looking to straighten your teeth or address other dental concerns through orthodontics, you are not alone. While there remains a common misconception that braces are only for kids, the reality is that 25% of all orthodontic patients today are adults. Adult patients will also be relieved to learn that advancements in orthodontics and dentistry have made orthodontic treatment more comfortable and efficient than ever before. With braces, clear aligners, or other forms of contemporary orthodontic treatment, straightening your teeth and achieving your best, healthiest smile is possible at any age.
One of the biggest concerns an adult patient may have when considering braces or aligners is the amount of time their treatment will take. Every patient is different, and how long treatment lasts depends on a variety of factors. Read on to learn more about what influences the timeline for braces or aligners for adults.
Common orthodontic problems for adults
An older patient may seek treatment for a variety of reasons. For some, getting braces is a way to address long-standing cosmetic concerns, while for others, orthodontic treatment is primarily a way to improve oral and overall health. All are valid reasons for pursuing braces or clear aligner treatment. The reasons you need care and the severity of your current oral condition all play a part in the projected duration of your treatment.
Even if Drs. Hutta & Hutta estimate a longer treatment duration, the benefits of investing in care are manifold. In addition to straightening teeth and boosting self-assurance thanks to a sparkling, confident smile, orthodontic treatment like braces can resolve issues with your bite that may impede speaking or chewing, as well as ease jaw pain or discomfort.
Whatever your reason for making an appointment at our office, your orthodontist will conduct a thorough examination of your teeth to determine your necessary treatment and options for proceeding.
How long will treatment take?
How long do adults need to wear braces or aligners for treatment to be effective?
The long answer: Orthodontics is not one-size-fits-all and neither is treatment time. The time your orthodontic treatment takes depends on a variety of factors, including the amount of correction your teeth need, whether other treatment appliances like palatal expanders are necessary, and your current health. The time treatment takes could fall anywhere between 1 and 3 years, though 18-24 months is the average for most patients. That said, if you had braces before or require minimal correction, treatment can be faster.
The short answer: Book an appointment with your orthodontist. Every patient is different, so you can get the best answer to this question by completing a consultation.
How are adult teeth different from kids’ teeth?
Though both deliver excellent results, treatments for adults and kids will be different. The main difference between adult teeth and kids’ teeth is that adults have stopped growing. If you get braces as a child, your body is still changing, and your tissues are relatively malleable. For older patients, teeth are denser and more mature, just like all bones, which can make repositioning teeth take a bit longer. Adults may also have developed habits like smoking or grinding their teeth, which can impact the overall health of their teeth and the outcome of services like braces or aligners.
Factors that impact treatment time
Your current smile
Your experience as a patient won’t be like anyone else’s—this is because your mouth and teeth are unlike anyone else’s! The structure of your mouth and the current condition of your teeth have a major impact on the duration of treatment and are largely out of the control of the patient. Teeth that are severely crooked, crowded, or misplaced, and bites that require a high degree of correction will take longer to treat.
Dental hygiene and healthy habits
Proper teeth cleaning is a vital component of your treatment with braces or aligners. And the cleanliness of your teeth doesn’t only affect treatment time—it also impacts the result of your treatment. Without proper cleaning, your teeth can become stained, which leads to white spots when braces come off. It’s also important to pay attention to your doctor’s list of foods to avoid while you’re in braces, as hard, sticky, and crunchy foods can damage braces and prolong treatment. And finally, if you play sports, remember to wear a mouthguard during practices and games to protect your braces. Broken brackets and wires require more office visits to repair braces, which can extend your treatment time.
Delayed or missed office visits
If you frequently delay or miss office visits, you are also delaying that exciting moment when you can get your braces removed! If you have braces, you must maintain your regular appointment schedule so your doctor can make necessary adjustments to your braces and continue the gradual process of repositioning your teeth. If you’ve opted for clear aligners, you must return to the office regularly to get fitted for your new trays. The efficiency and effectiveness of orthodontic treatment depends in large part on the patience, compliance, and commitment of the patient. Patients who stay on top of hygiene, care for their braces, and keep up with their appointments are more likely to experience smoother, quicker treatments.
Treatment options for adults
Gone are the days of bulky metal braces and arduous, uncomfortable treatment methods. Braces technology has progressed tremendously, and your orthodontist can now transform your teeth more inconspicuously, with less pressure, and in less time. While Damon Braces remain the most trusted and effective treatment method for straightening teeth for patients of all ages, orthodontics has embraced additional treatment options like the clear aligner.
Modern braces: quick and comfortable
Getting braces no longer means signing up for months or years of discomfort. Advancements in braces technology have made braces treatment much more comfortable and efficient than it was in the past. Plus, braces patients now have the option of choosing clear, tooth-colored brackets, making braces less noticeable.
Damon Braces are considered the gold standard in modern braces. Damon Braces use a self-ligating system that eliminates the need for the elastic ties of traditional braces and reduces pressure on teeth. Patients with Damon Braces can also choose clear brackets. At Hutta & Hutta Orthodontics, we only offer the very best in braces technology, so we only offer Damon Braces.
Aligners: discreet and convenient
Clear aligners straighten teeth using a series of trays made from a comfortable, medical-grade plastic. Clear aligners have many benefits—they are a more discreet appliance and, because they are removable, they do not require the temporary lifestyle changes associated with braces. For many adults, clear aligners are an appealing, modern method for straightening teeth. At Hutta & Hutta, we are delighted to offer this revolutionary treatment for adults and teens.
Which is more efficient—braces or aligners?
Only your doctor will be able to determine the best approach for achieving the smile of your dreams. For many patients, the ease and discretion of clear aligners makes this an ideal treatment, while for others, only braces will deliver the degree of correction needed. During your first office visit, your orthodontist will discuss all your treatment options and determine your best course of action based on your goals, lifestyle, and preferences.
When to see your orthodontist
Age is not a prohibitive factor when it comes to orthodontic treatment. While adult teeth are different from children’s and may require a little more time to be repositioned, braces or aligner treatment can be effective at any age. If you’re ready to discover the health benefits and the confidence boost that comes with a beautiful smile, it’s time to see your doctor.
Expert care for all patients at Hutta & Hutta Orthodontics
You deserve the best; we deliver it
When you make an appointment at Hutta & Hutta Orthodontics, you’re signing up for world-class services provided by award-winning doctors. Our Westerville office is always on the cutting edge of dental braces technology, and our doctors are recognized for their contributions to orthodontics and for their dedication to their patients. We offer a range of treatments for patients of all ages, including braces and aligners. During your first visit to our office, your orthodontist will be able to share more information about your individual estimated treatment time with braces.
In our expert hands, you’ll be smiling your most radiant smile in no time. Reach out today.