A large majority of people could benefit from orthodontics at some point in their life. But when is the right time? What type of appliances will be necessary? Will you need braces, clear aligners, expanders, SureSmile®, or Invisalign®? Can we fix your crooked tooth? How long will this all take? Below you will find answers to some of the most common about orthodontics and braces. As always, please don't hesistate to call our orthodontic office with any questions.
The benefits of having braces are numerous:
The rate at which teeth move depends on each patient’s age and biology. In general, the teeth of younger people (teenage and below) move significantly faster than adults. Additionally, the amount of time we need to correct a smile or bite depends on the severity of the issues we see at the onset of treatment. So the range of predicted treatment time can vary anywhere between 3 and 36 months. However, for a typical adolescent patient without severe bite issues, the average treatment takes around 18 to 24 months.
When your braces are first put on, it is normal to be a bit sore for the first week as your teeth, cheeks, lips, and tongue get used to all the new hardware. After that, you may be sore for a day or two after each adjustment. Persistent pain and discomfort are not normal, however. Please contact us immediately if you’re in constant discomfort.
In most cases, the best time to get braces is when all of the baby teeth are lost and all of the adult teeth are in the mouth. This is usually around 11 to 13 years old. However, there are instances when patients as young as 6 or 7 years old would benefit from a limited orthodontic intervention or Phase I treatment. For that reason, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children see an orthodontist by their seventh birthday.
Dr. Ben can treat many cases with either braces or clear aligners (SureSmile® Aligners, 3M™ Clarity™ Aligners, or Invisalign®). The factors to consider are the severity of your bite issues, the goals we have for treatment, and the level of cooperation we can count on from each patient. Give us a call to set up a FREE consultation so that we can decide what type of orthodontic appliance would be right for you.
We know that paying for orthodontic treatment may seem daunting, so we strive to make it as easy as possible. Here are the ways we make this easier:
