Counting Down to Orthodontic Care: All About Average Treatment Times

March 13, 2022

Patience may be a virtue, but let’s face it — we all want beautiful smiles sooner rather than later. And when you’re preparing to go undergo orthodontic care, it’s natural that you find yourself wondering…

Just how long will this take?

Don’t worry! If you’re in a rush for answers, we’ll get you up to speed in no time:

Filing Through the Factors and Variations

The amount of time one will undergo orthodontic treatment can vary widely based on their individual situation. For example, clear aligners and braces typically involve different timeframes.

“A comprehensive 2019 study found that people with clear aligners wore them for a shorter amount of time than those with traditional metal braces,” according to Healthline. “But those wearing clear aligners had less severe alignment issues than those wearing metal braces.”

Specifically, treatment involving clear aligners may take up to 12 to 18 months on average.

Other factors that may influence how long treatment will take include:

  • Age
  • Bone density
  • Jaw alignment
  • Overcrowding
  • Teeth gaps
  • Material preference
  • And more

Back to Braces Basics

Generally speaking, fixed braces — which may be traditional metal or ceramic — take a minimum of a year on average. In particular, the Oral Health Foundation specifies that it may take between 12 to 24 months overall, depending on the patient.

“Patients with braces typically visit the orthodontist every six to ten weeks, until teeth are aligned properly,” the American Association of Orthodontics explains (AAO).

Oftentimes, this is because patients who need fixed braces don’t just need an alignment of their teeth, but they may also need a correction of their jaw in the cases of an under- or over-bite. Such patients are not eligible for clear aligners.

Seamless Smiles with SouthShore Orthodontics

Overall, the good news is that “orthodontic treatment often is more comfortable and takes less time than it did years ago,” as reported by the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA).

What’s more, when you choose to see the orthodontic experts at SouthShore Orthodontics, you’ll also get exceptional results in a welcoming environment!

Here at SouthShore Orthodontics, we offer a variety of braces for all ages as well as Simply SouthShore — custom-fit clear aligners made in-house just for you! Regardless of what you need, you’ll find a renewed smile and a relaxing team when you visit.

Learn more or schedule with us today by calling (813) 815-0080!