Orthodontic treatment aims to correct alignment issues in the mouth. For example, issues such as crooked teeth, an overbite, or an underbite can be corrected by an orthodontist. However, the timeline for the corrections differs from person to person. Some patients get their desired results within six months while some might have to wait up to three years before getting results.
When you visit an orthodontist, they will make sure to properly examine your mouth and jaw to create a treatment plan that will be specific to your needs. This is why you should not assume that you will have the same treatment time as someone else who seems to have a similar issue as yours.
Factors That May Affect the Timeline of Your Orthodontic Treatment
Here are some factors that may lengthen or shorten the duration of your orthodontic treatment:
1. Compliance With Orthodontist’s Instructions
Following your orthodontist’s instructions strictly can help you achieve your desired teeth in record time. By ignoring maintenance instructions and skipping check-up sessions, you are lengthening the timeline for your treatment. It also risks any progress you have made and can leave you with results that you will not be happy with.
2. Age
Younger children tend to get faster results from orthodontic treatment. This is because they are still growing and this makes it easier to shift their teeth in the correct direction. With older patients, the treatment will be slower and require more intensity because their bones have been set.
3. The Severity of the Issue
The level of complication in your case is an important factor that determines the duration of your treatment. Crooked or improperly spaced teeth often take less time to fix than a serious overbite or underbite. If your teeth require extensive correction, the duration of your treatment will most likely be longer.
4. Personal Oral Hygiene
When undergoing orthodontic treatment, it is important to keep up with your personal oral hygiene. Brush and floss your teeth daily to clear any food debris that may be stuck. You should also avoid extremely sticky, hard, or sugary foods.
5. Method of Treatment
Your method of orthodontic treatment may have a significant effect on your treatment timeline. Generally, lingual braces take longer to correct issues because they are placed at the back of the teeth and do not exert a lot of pressure. Metal and clear braces or Invisalign usually work faster.
6. Your Physiology
Your biological makeup plays a huge role in how your body reacts to orthodontic treatment. This can lengthen or shorten your treatment time. However, your orthodontist will take all your peculiarities into consideration when developing a treatment plan for you.
It is important that you visit your orthodontist often if you are receiving orthodontic treatment. This way, you can monitor your progress, and your orthodontist can quickly notice and correct anything that is unusual.
Contact Beauty Smile Orthodontics for a consultation. We provide orthodontic treatment for every member of the family. Reach out to us here to achieve your smile goals.