Deciding to get braces to straighten your teeth is a commitment, so you want to be informed about your decision. Part of your curiosity relates to braces treatment time and what will affect that. As your orthodontist in Richardson explains, some of the factors in required orthodontic time you can control, but not everything is up to your actions. Keep reading to learn more.
How Well Do You Follow Instructions?
You may think the main responsibility for treatment is on your orthodontist, but the truth is that you play a major role in the success of braces. It’s imperative you follow the rules your orthodontist gives you. Otherwise, you could run into complications.
For instance, if you eat foods you shouldn’t, you could break off a bracket. Orthodontic emergencies like this can slow down your progress toward a straight smile. Even something as simple as properly cleaning your teeth when you have braces can impact your treatment timeline. If you develop a cavity or other problem from poor oral hygiene, that issue needs to be addressed before you can move forward with orthodontic treatment, potentially adding to your required duration.
Are You Consistently Attending Your Adjustment Appointments?
Realigning your teeth consists of many small steps. Every few weeks, your orthodontist will need to adjust your braces, which will apply gentle force on your teeth and move them steadily where they should be. These frequent appointments take just a few minutes, but they are important if you want to stay on track. Skipping them prolongs your treatment time.
What Level of Misalignment Are You Trying to Treat?
Small problems, like gaps between teeth, can be fixed relatively quickly. However, if you have rotated teeth or other severe issues, the treatment process can extend significantly. So, the more misaligned your smile is, the longer it will likely take to correct it.
The good news is that no matter the current condition of your teeth, traditional braces can address the problem. Unlike Invisalign which can only be used for mild to moderate cases, braces can treat patients with severely crooked or misaligned smiles.
In the end, when you and your orthodontist work together, you can achieve your straight smile efficiently with minimal braces treatment time. The results will be worth your time and patience! In a few years, you can look back and be glad you invested in your oral health.
About the Author
Dr. Megan Hanson attained her dental doctorate from The University of Texas at Houston and remained there to earn a Master of Science in Dentistry and her Certificate in Orthodontics. She is a member of the American Academy of Orthodontists. She offers traditional braces, clear ceramic braces, self-ligating braces, and Invisalign. Schedule a free consultation on her website or call (972) 238-7101.