As a general rule, the total time you'll be wearing braces is between 18 and 24 months. After placement, you may start to see changes in the appearance of your teeth in as little as four weeks. However, the average expectation is two or three months. In about three weeks, you may start to feel that your teeth are looser than usual.
At this point, your teeth will begin to move into the desired position. Although you may not see any difference, you will feel that changes are taking place. Over time, you'll also become more accustomed to wearing braces and the discomfort will be minimal. People often think that braces can only push teeth towards the palate, but they can also pull teeth out towards the lips.
A shape-memory wire arc made of nickel-titanium can be used to pull teeth forward. The wire bends to attach to the tooth support, but eventually returns to its original U-shape and brings the tooth forward. The average amount of time braces are worn is 1 to 3 years. However, depending on your circumstances, you may need them for a shorter or longer period of time.
As soon as you start wearing braces, they will begin to move your teeth into the correct position. In some cases, children or adolescents receiving braces may face resistance from their parents if they want to reduce the amount of time they spend with braces. You may need to wear them for anywhere between six months and three years, depending on the type of dental appliances and how misaligned your teeth are. If this is the case, your orthodontist may be able to loosen your braces and refer you to a dentist for any dental problems that could be causing additional pain. When braces move a tooth to the right, the ligament on the right compresses and new bone forms on the left side to fill in the space.
