How long does it take to get braces?

How long does the braces appointment take?

Healthline says getting braces on takes about one to two hours, and that depending on your teeth and the type of braces it may be done in one visit or two. It involves some pressure but generally is not painful. If your back teeth are tightly packed, the dentist may place small spacers about a week beforehand, which can leave the back teeth and jaw sore.

Appointment times vary by office and by braces type. Lingual braces, which sit behind the teeth, may take longer and need a specially trained orthodontist, according to Healthline. Ask the office how long to expect and whether your case is planned as one visit or two.

What happens during the appointment

For conventional metal or ceramic braces, Healthline describes the steps.

• Your teeth are thoroughly cleaned and dried.
• Glue is placed on each tooth, hardened with a blue light, and a bracket is attached to the center of the tooth.
• Metal bands are fitted onto the back molars using the same glue-and-light method, which can involve some twisting or pinching that you should mention.
• The archwire is threaded through the brackets and secured with small colored rubber bands, and the end is trimmed so it does not poke your gums.
• Clear aligner trays need no brackets or wires, although they may require attachments, buttons and small elastics, and new trays are typically needed every one to two weeks.

How sore will you be afterwards?

Soreness usually begins within an hour or two of the appointment. Healthline says it may appear only when you eat, or may cause a general headache or jaw ache for several days, and that cheek irritation from brackets typically settles within about a month. The NHS says teeth may be sore for a few days after fitting and recommends soft foods and painkillers.

Pain relief advice differs between sources, so ask your orthodontist what to use. Cleveland Clinic suggests acetaminophen and says ibuprofen and other NSAIDs can interfere with tooth movement, while Healthline lists ibuprofen, naproxen and acetaminophen as options. Orthodontic wax over irritating parts, and warm salt water rinses, can also help.

How long do you wear braces?

Sources give broadly similar ranges. The American Association of Orthodontists says most people wear braces for 12 to 24 months, that slight corrections may take a few months, and that complex cases involving many teeth or jaw repositioning can take years. Cleveland Clinic says treatment takes about two years on average, with some people finishing in under 12 months and others needing up to three years. Healthline and ADA MouthHealthy say one to three years, and the NHS says fixed braces usually stay on for one to two years.

• AAO: most people 12 to 24 months.
• Cleveland Clinic: about two years on average, from under 12 months to three years.
• Healthline and ADA MouthHealthy: one to three years.
• NHS: usually one to two years.

What makes treatment longer or shorter

Healthline says treatment length depends on how crooked, crowded or spaced the teeth are, and that bite problems such as open bites, deep bites, underbites and crossbites take longer to treat than misaligned teeth alone. Extra tools such as rubber bands, palatal expanders and headgear can lengthen treatment. Cleveland Clinic says braces are generally most effective between ages 9 and 14, when the jaws are still developing, and that adults can get good results but it may take longer.

Your habits matter too. Healthline says breaking appliances, not following instructions and eating restricted foods can slow treatment, because sticky, hard or crunchy foods can break parts of the braces and mean extra visits. The AAO adds that delays in fixing a loose bracket or wire can prolong treatment.

How often you will be seen

Sources differ slightly. The AAO says adjustments are typically every 4 to 12 weeks in its braces overview, and every 6 to 10 weeks in its guide to living with braces. The NHS says you will see your orthodontist about every 6 to 8 weeks. Your own schedule depends on your plan, so ask at the fitting.

After the braces come off

Every source we read expects a retainer after braces, to keep the teeth from moving back. Cleveland Clinic says everyone who wears braces needs one, and the NHS says your orthodontist will tell you how long to wear it. Plan for retainer visits as part of the overall timeline.

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