Factors affecting the duration of orthodontic treatment
If you’re like other patients at our Orthodontic Clinic, the first thing you’re probably wondering is how long your treatment will take. While there is no simple, one-size-fits-all answer, there are many factors that can affect the length of your orthodontic treatment.
At The Brace Place, we know it takes time to adjust to life with braces – but don’t want it to go away. Instead, think of your therapy time as a journey to the smile of your dreams. That said, there are a few things you can do to keep your orthodontic treatment on track. While this doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get your braces off sooner, it at least minimizes delays.
The length of orthodontic treatment comes down to several factors. Some depend on you like how well you take care of your teeth and whether you follow your doctor’s advice. Others, like how complex your case is, are beyond your control. To better understand how long your braces or Invisalign treatment will take, here is a list of common factors that affect treatment time.
- Your oral hygiene habits
As you know, the health of your teeth depends on how well you take care of them. The same goes for braces or Invisalign. The more diligent you are about brushing and flossing, the less delay you will have throughout your Orthodontic Treatment Cost in clinic. So, in many ways, maintaining good oral hygiene will actually help you get your braces off faster!
If you have braces, you should brush and floss at least twice a day, but ideally after each meal so you don’t hide nasty food scraps behind your braces and wires all day. If you have Invisalign, the same rules apply. Brushing your teeth after meals helps keep your aligners (and teeth!) stain-free.
- How well are you following your doctor’s instructions
Believe it or not, there is a way to the madness of orthodontists. When doctors tells you not to eat crunchy foods or exercise without a mouthguard, it’s not because he doesn’t want you to have any fun, but because he wants your braces treatment to go as smoothly as possible. Listening to your doctor and following his or her instructions will mean less time sitting in the orthodontist’s chair and more time enjoying your life. So do what your orthodontist says and your treatment will end before you know it.
- Avoid damaging your braces
When it comes to crunchy foods and mouthguards, any damage to your braces can lead to setbacks in your orthodontic treatment. For those with braces, this means avoiding crunchy, sticky, or chewy foods and anything you have to bite into (like apples or raw carrots), and wearing them during any contact sports Mouthguard. For those using Invisalign, this means taking care of your aligners and washing them only with warm water, as hot water can deform the plastic.
- Missing Invisalign
Invisalign wearer, this one is for you. We get it: At some point during your Invisalign treatment, you may get your aligners wrong. Just call your orthodontist and he will be able to advise the best course of action. This may mean going back to your previous set of aligners or skipping to your next set, depending on your unique situation. However, disrupting your Invisalign program will definitely slow down your progress, so be careful and keep your aligners safely in the box when you’re not wearing them!
- Your present smile
This is easily the biggest factor in how long your braces or Invisalign treatment will take. Your treatment plan is based on your initial smile and is 100% tailored to your specific needs. Some people are working to correct an overbite or underbite, while others are dealing with problems such as crooked or crowded teeth. Determining the length of treatment depends on how far your teeth need to be moved to reach their optimum position. Severely misaligned bites usually take longer to correct than minor problems, such as a few crooked teeth. It all depends on how you smile right now – basically, the less complicated your condition, the shorter your treatment time.
We know you’re excited to see a new smile without braces or Invisalign. For your treatment to go smoothly, make sure to maintain proper oral hygiene, follow your orthodontist’s instructions, and most importantly, be patient. That way, when you’re about to remove your braces or put away your aligners permanently, you’ll be able to recall your treatment experience with a smile.
Why does time matter when moving teeth with Invisalign?
OK, so we’ve established that you have a perfectly fitting set of aligners that gently move your teeth into a straight, perfectly aligned smile. Astonishing! While applying force or pressure is the main factor in moving teeth, another factor is time.
Invisalign needs to be worn long enough to function properly – approximately 22 hours a day, to be exact! Without enough wear, your braces won’t be able to provide the proper force needed to hold these teeth in place. Treatment progress and results will be affected if the appliance is worn for insufficient time.
Always see your orthodontist!
It is important to note that regular visits to your orthodontist (every 6-8 weeks) are part of a successful Invisalign treatment plan. During these check-up visits Orthodontic Specialist in Vancouver they can monitor your progress and whether your aligners will fit and if any changes or mid-course corrections are needed. This ensures you achieve your ideal smile in the fastest, healthiest and most efficient way possible!
