Most people who need to wear fixed braces will need to do so for 18 to 24 months. In some cases, it can take up to three years for more difficult corrections or for older patients. If the problem is less severe, or if the patient is a good candidate for clear aligners such as Invisalign, treatment may take 6 to 12 months. The average amount of time braces are used is 1 to 3 years.
Adults may need to wear braces for a longer period of time than children, as adult teeth are firmer and require more pressure and time to be in the correct position. On average, adults can expect to wear braces for up to three years. However, following all the advice of your dentist and orthodontist can help shorten the duration of treatment.Standard metal braces usually take about the same amount of time to realign the jaw as braces to move your teeth, so you can expect to wear them longer than without additional jaw alignment devices. Alternatives such as Invisalign may take less time, but this depends on the severity of the misalignment.
If you have questions about how long braces take into adulthood or about your current corrective care plan, you can always contact Legacy Orthodontics for more information on how to keep your braces clean.
