How Long Will Braces Take To Straighten My Teeth?

Braces are a classic orthodontic treatment — and for good reason. They can treat severe cases of misalignment and even bite issues. Versatility is perhaps traditional braces’ most significant advantage. Even with newer, faster treatments on the market, braces are still the most recommended orthodontic treatment.

Searching online, you’ll find that the average treatment time for braces is about two years. In reality, your exact treatment time will depend on several factors, and no two people will have the same experience. In this guide, we’ll discuss the major factors that can affect how long your treatment will take, and help you decide if braces are the right choice for your teeth.

How Long Does It Take To Start Treatment With Braces?

The first step in your braces treatment is choosing an orthodontist. You can get a referral from your general dentist if you’re not sure where to start. However, keep in mind that you’ll need a full dental exam before starting any orthodontic treatment. During your initial consultation, your orthodontist will take photos and x-rays to evaluate your teeth and determine the severity of your case. Once the evaluation is complete, they’ll create your custom treatment plan.

After approving your treatment plan and making payment arrangements, you can schedule an appointment to have your braces installed. Typically, you can schedule your appointment within about a week, but this varies depending on your orthodontist. The entire process takes 1-2 hours, and it’s virtually painless, so you can return to work immediately if you’d like.

Getting started with braces is almost always faster than getting started with competing clear aligner treatments. Clear aligners need to be manufactured off-site, then delivered, which can take up to a month, depending on the brand. With braces, it’s not uncommon to start treatment in as little as a week.

Does It Take Longer To Get Specialty Braces?

Although traditional metal braces are the most popular and “tried and true” choice, they are not the only option. There are two other types of “specialty” braces to choose from: ceramic/clear and lingual.

Ceramic or “clear” braces consist of clear brackets and tooth-colored wires, so they’re much more discreet than traditional metal braces. They’re suitable for most cases of crowding and spacing, and even most bite issues.

However, ceramic braces tend to be less durable than traditional braces and may break more easily.

Lingual braces are very similar to traditional braces, but they’re placed on the back surface of your teeth, as opposed to the front. They’re almost invisible when you talk or smile, so they’re perfect for patients who want a more discreet treatment option. Lingual braces can treat nearly any misalignment that ceramic or traditional braces can. However, patients with a severe bite issue may not be a good fit.

There are two different types of lingual braces: standard and custom. Standard lingual braces look exactly like traditional braces, but the wires and brackets are placed on the back of your teeth. Unfortunately, standard lingual braces often cause irritation and may be difficult to get used to. As an alternative, most orthodontists offer custom lingual braces.

Custom lingual braces are customized to fit your teeth and are more comfortable to wear. 

Unfortunately, they need to be manufactured in a dental lab, which adds about 4-6 weeks to the overall startup time. Ceramic braces don’t require any customization, so you can start treatment right away.

How Can I Ensure My Treatment Time Is As Short As Possible?

Your cooperation is crucial to ensure your braces treatment is safe and goes according to plan. You’ll need monthly appointments to tighten your braces and check your treatment progress. If you miss appointments, your treatment could be delayed. Consistency is critical for both orthodontist appointments and treatment instructions.

Most orthodontists recommend avoiding any foods that could break or damage your braces.

For instance, eating very sticky, crunchy, or hard foods may damage your brackets, which could make your treatment last longer. It’s also smart to limit drinks like red wine, which tend to stain teeth and braces alike. You should continue seeing your general dentist regularly throughout treatment and maintain a good oral hygiene routine.

You should see a dentist for a professional cleaning twice per year. Since braces can make it difficult to keep your teeth clean, consistent cleanings will be even more important during your treatment. Your general dentist can clean your teeth more efficiently to prevent decay or infection and treat any cavities, if necessary.

Healthy teeth move the fastest and most effectively, so good oral hygiene is essential to ensure your treatment is as short as possible.

It’s best to brush your teeth in the mornings, evenings, and after meals to prevent food and/or plaque buildup. You should also floss daily, which may present a challenge at first. But, your orthodontist will give you tips to thread floss under your wires and keep your teeth clean.

Is There a Faster Option?

Braces are an excellent option for people with severe cases of misalignment, but if that’s not your situation, there are faster options available. Depending on your preferences, several treatments could be a better fit. Today, we have both in-office and at-home treatments to choose from. So, you should be able to find one that suits your needs. Here are our top picks for treatments that are faster than braces:

Invisalign

Invisalign is the first and leading clear aligner brand, both in-office and at-home. Clear aligners are popular because they’re much more discreet than braces and offer a shorter treatment time. Although you’ll still need to schedule regular check-up appointments, treatment with Invisalign only takes 12-15 months to complete.

Invisalign also offers both Lite and Express options for patients who have more minor cases of crowding or spacing. These plans drop the average treatment time to just 6 months – about the same as home aligners (more on that later). However, as we previously mentioned, Invisalign includes regular appointments. So, you can still have one-on-one time with your dentist.

Most people are good candidates for Invisalign. It can treat almost any condition that braces can, including most cases of crowding and spacing, and some bite issues. Invisalign is also very popular, so it won’t be hard to find a provider in your area.

Six Month Smiles (~$4,000)

You may know Six Month Smiles for their clear braces. However, they recently began selling clear aligners as well. Their clear braces are made with clear brackets and translucent wires, so they’re not as noticeable as traditional metal braces. Their clear aligners, on the other hand, are just as discreet as Invisalign and offer a much more convenient treatment option.

Six Month Smiles is best for mild-to-moderate misalignments, so it won’t be able to treat the same cases that Invisalign can. As the name suggests, the average treatment time for Six Months Smiles is 6 months. However, your treatment may last longer if your condition is more complex.

You’ll also still need to visit your dentist regularly for treatment, so if you’d prefer to see a dentist in-person, Six Month Smiles will provide the one-on-one attention you’re looking for, without sacrificing treatment time.

At-Home Invisible Aligners (~$1,900)

Home aligners are very similar to Invisalign, but they don’t require office visits, so you can complete treatment entirely from home. They’re best for mild-to-moderate cases of misalignment, and you’ll need to be approved for treatment before receiving your custom aligners.

For most providers, you’ll need to order an impression kit to take a mold of your teeth and determine your candidacy for treatment. However, some companies, like SmileDirectClub, currently have retail locations where you can get a free 3D scan of your teeth instead.

Home aligners are popular because they offer a cheaper and faster alternative to Invisalign. Most people complete home aligner treatment in about 6 months for around $1,900, regardless of the brand. However, unlike Invisalign, home aligners are not meant for more complex or severe misalignments, so not everyone will be a good fit.

For more information about at-home clear aligner treatment, visit our review of the top 5 home aligner services.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the biggest factor that will affect your treatment time is the severity of your condition. More complex misalignments simply take longer to treat, so some patients will always have a longer treatment time. Follow a good oral hygiene routine and schedule your check-up appointments consistently to make sure your treatment is as fast as possible.

If you’ve been considering braces to straighten your teeth, schedule an orthodontist appointment to discuss your options and find out if they’re the right option for you.