Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefitsIndicationsOptionsStagesWhat to ExpectCostHow Long It Takes
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Benefits
Indications
Options
Stages
What to Expect
Cost
How Long It Takes
Orthodontics is a specialized area of dentistry that focuses on the alignment of teeth and jaws for function andaesthetic appearance. Orthodontists design and fit fixed appliances, likebraces, and other corrective devices, like clear aligners and expander plates, to bring the teeth or jaws into alignment.
The time it takes for orthodontic treatments to work varies. Depending on the severity of the misalignment, it can take anywhere from six months to three years to achieve the desired results with braces and other fixed appliances.The cost of treatment also varies, although mostdental insurance providersoffer at least partial coverage for medically necessary treatments.
This article covers the types and benefits of orthodontic treatments. It also discusses how long it takes to achieve results, and what to expect from an orthodontic treatment plan.
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Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment
Well-aligned, straight teeth may be desired for aesthetic reasons, but, more importantly, they generally indicate an overall healthier mouth.
Misaligned teeth and jaws can be related to uneven tooth wear, gum problems, breathing difficulty, poor oral hygiene (due to hard-to-clean teeth), speech development, anddamage of the jaw joint.
Orthodontic treatment can often deliver a smile that not only addresses these issues but helps you (or your child) feel more confident.
Alternatively, your dentist may detect a problem that orthodontia can help with, such as:
The teeth and jaw relationship begins right from birth, so it’s important to pay close attention to a child’s jaw development. By the time a child is 7 years of age, it’s usually quite obvious to a dentist/orthodontist if a patient will have orthodontic problems, as most of the adult teeth should be present.
Primary care and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctors may also have a hand in suggesting orthodontic treatment. Your teeth are an indication of how your jaw and face are developing, and a poorly developed jaw may contribute to issues with airway function. Today, orthodontics can be performed to actually help people breathe better.
There are some signs that indicate that you/your child aren’t breathing properly, including:
A doctor may suggest orthodontic work as part of treatment for these concerns, sometimes after other assessments have been completed, such as a sleep study.
Orthodontic Treatment Options
There are many types of orthodontic treatments available. Treatments can broadly be grouped into devices that are fixed to your teeth, and treatments that are removable.
Fixed appliances include:
Removable devices include:
Each of these treatments offers different benefits and may be used to treat different dental conditions. The right treatment for you will depend on a number of factors, including your age, the severity of misalignment, and overall dental goals.
Treatment Stages
Orthodontists typically suggest starting treatment as soon as a problem is identified to prevent problems from becoming more serious or complex.
Ideally, treatment should start at an early age while the child is still growing. Research shows that beginning treatment from an early age:
The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that children get their first orthodontic check-up no later than 7 years of age. This allows orthodontic providers to identify and correct developing orthodontic problems as early as possible.
From start to finish, orthodontic treatment usually involves several stages:
Your orthodontist will meet with you periodically to check the progress of your treatment. Once the correction and/or retention phases are complete, you will also have follow-up appointments to check on the stability of your results.
What to Expect With Braces
Modern braces are vastly improved from what they were decades ago. They can be made from stainless steel, metal, ceramic, or plastic.
In some cases, it may be suitable to use invisible, removable aligners that are changed every two weeks. They allow you to brush and floss normally, unlike traditional braces.
In addition to your orthodontist’s recommendation, you will need to factor in your budget, insurance coverage, lifestyle, and habits when deciding on the type and look of braces you choose.
Fittings and Adjustments
The process of beingfitted with an orthodontic appliancebegins with your orthodontist determining which one is suitable for your mouth. If braces are required, the first step is placing little brackets on your teeth and bonding them to the tooth with a special adhesive. Metal bands are applied to the back teeth, and wires are placed inside the brackets.
What you end up spending can vary depending on the extent of the treatment, what modalities are used, and your insurance coverage.
Traditional metal or ceramic (clear) braces start around $5,000. Behind the teeth, or sublingual, braces range from $5,000 to $13,000. Clear aligners, likeInvisalign, can range from $3,000 to $8,000 depending on how many adjustments are needed.
At your initial consultation, your orthodontist or dentist should discuss options and costs. You should ask any questions during this time so that it’s clear what is required to achieve the final treatment outcome from a time, commitment, and financial investment standpoint.
Many orthodontic offices will allow you to set up a payment plan for treatment.
How Long Do Braces Take?
There is no official consensus for how long braces need to be worn to achieve the desired results. Treatment is highly individual and will depend on you or your child’s unique circumstances.
According to a review published in theDental Press Journal of Orthodontics, the average treatment time for fixed appliances, such as braces, is 14 to 33 months.
This same review found that 41% of adolescents expected to wear their fixed appliances for six months or less, and 43% of adults expected to wear them for six to 12 months.
The review shows that treatment times are commonly longer than expected, which can have an impact on your quality of life.
Summary
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Moresca R.Orthodontic treatment time: Can it be shortened?.Dental Press J Orthod. 2018 Dec;23(6):90–105. doi:10.1590/2177-6709.23.6.090-105.sarHung M, Su S, Hon E, et al.Examination of orthodontic expenditures and trends in the United States from 1996 to 2016: Disparities across demographics and insurance payers.BMC Oral Health. 2021 May;21(1):268. doi:10.1186/s12903-021-01629-6Grippaudo C, Paolantonio EG, Antonini G, Saulle R, La torre G, Deli R.Association between oral habits, mouth breathing and malocclusion.Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2016;36(5):386-394. doi:10.14639/0392-100X-770American Association of Orthodontists.The right time for an orthodontic check-up: no later than age 7.Andriekute A, Vasiliauskas A, Sidlauskas A.A survey of protocols and trends in orthodontic retention.Prog Orthod. 2017;18(1):31. doi:10.1186/s40510-017-0185-xAdditional ReadingAmerican Association of Orthodontics.7 Facts about Orthodontics.American Association of Orthodontics.Understanding Treatment Options.U.S. National Library of Medicine.Orthodontia.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Moresca R.Orthodontic treatment time: Can it be shortened?.Dental Press J Orthod. 2018 Dec;23(6):90–105. doi:10.1590/2177-6709.23.6.090-105.sarHung M, Su S, Hon E, et al.Examination of orthodontic expenditures and trends in the United States from 1996 to 2016: Disparities across demographics and insurance payers.BMC Oral Health. 2021 May;21(1):268. doi:10.1186/s12903-021-01629-6Grippaudo C, Paolantonio EG, Antonini G, Saulle R, La torre G, Deli R.Association between oral habits, mouth breathing and malocclusion.Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2016;36(5):386-394. doi:10.14639/0392-100X-770American Association of Orthodontists.The right time for an orthodontic check-up: no later than age 7.Andriekute A, Vasiliauskas A, Sidlauskas A.A survey of protocols and trends in orthodontic retention.Prog Orthod. 2017;18(1):31. doi:10.1186/s40510-017-0185-xAdditional ReadingAmerican Association of Orthodontics.7 Facts about Orthodontics.American Association of Orthodontics.Understanding Treatment Options.U.S. National Library of Medicine.Orthodontia.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Moresca R.Orthodontic treatment time: Can it be shortened?.Dental Press J Orthod. 2018 Dec;23(6):90–105. doi:10.1590/2177-6709.23.6.090-105.sarHung M, Su S, Hon E, et al.Examination of orthodontic expenditures and trends in the United States from 1996 to 2016: Disparities across demographics and insurance payers.BMC Oral Health. 2021 May;21(1):268. doi:10.1186/s12903-021-01629-6Grippaudo C, Paolantonio EG, Antonini G, Saulle R, La torre G, Deli R.Association between oral habits, mouth breathing and malocclusion.Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2016;36(5):386-394. doi:10.14639/0392-100X-770American Association of Orthodontists.The right time for an orthodontic check-up: no later than age 7.Andriekute A, Vasiliauskas A, Sidlauskas A.A survey of protocols and trends in orthodontic retention.Prog Orthod. 2017;18(1):31. doi:10.1186/s40510-017-0185-x
Moresca R.Orthodontic treatment time: Can it be shortened?.Dental Press J Orthod. 2018 Dec;23(6):90–105. doi:10.1590/2177-6709.23.6.090-105.sar
Hung M, Su S, Hon E, et al.Examination of orthodontic expenditures and trends in the United States from 1996 to 2016: Disparities across demographics and insurance payers.BMC Oral Health. 2021 May;21(1):268. doi:10.1186/s12903-021-01629-6
Grippaudo C, Paolantonio EG, Antonini G, Saulle R, La torre G, Deli R.Association between oral habits, mouth breathing and malocclusion.Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2016;36(5):386-394. doi:10.14639/0392-100X-770
American Association of Orthodontists.The right time for an orthodontic check-up: no later than age 7.
Andriekute A, Vasiliauskas A, Sidlauskas A.A survey of protocols and trends in orthodontic retention.Prog Orthod. 2017;18(1):31. doi:10.1186/s40510-017-0185-x
American Association of Orthodontics.7 Facts about Orthodontics.American Association of Orthodontics.Understanding Treatment Options.U.S. National Library of Medicine.Orthodontia.
American Association of Orthodontics.7 Facts about Orthodontics.
American Association of Orthodontics.Understanding Treatment Options.
U.S. National Library of Medicine.Orthodontia.
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