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How Long Will my Teeth Take to Straighten?
asked 1 year ago by Nieki in Everywhere
Latest answer by Brian Povolny, DDS, PhD
Question viewed 867 times
Tags: female, straighten, timing
I have braces for a month now to correct my 4 front teeth so I can smile nicely. I have no problems with my bite, it's just my crooked front teeth, even my orthodontist says so from my x-rays. My orthodontist says my treatment is just to improve my smile and it will take 3 years to straighten out. However, I have heard people with similar cases as me who have their treatment using metal braces in less than a year. I would like a second opinion.. How long would my teeth take to straighten out?
4 answers to How Long Will my Teeth Take to Straighten?
+1
Time required for tooth straightening with braces
If you have a good bite as you and your orthodontist say (and it appears you do from your photos), then three years seems a little long to simply align the teeth. However, I can see from the photos that after your front teeth are straight they will be more prominent and create an "overbite" relative to your bottom teeth. Correcting this will take longer than just aligning the teeth. In general, most orthodontic cases take longer than just the...
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+1
How long
Straightening teeth is usally a rather rapid part of treatment...less than a year usually. It is the other things like fixing the bite, closing extraction spaces etc. that takes time....I'm guessing that this is where the 3 years come from. I'm always suprised by a lot of these questions...you SHOULD be able to talk to your orthodontist and understand exactly what is being done and why it takes the time it takes!
Robert Waxler, DMD, MS
Saint Louis Orthodontist
Saint Louis Orthodontist
+1
Orthodontists often correct more than we see
While I am surprised with the 3 year estimation, most of the time an orthodontist will correct many things at once. Unless told otherwise, they will strive for "perfect" and often get it! Uprighting roots, perfecting a slightly off bite, etc...
You will likely be satisfied in a few short months, but your orthodontist will still see a bigger picture. It is not WRONG, it simply a different goal.
see video
+1
How Long to Straighten Teeth
Sometimes a dentist or orthodontist will maximize the estimated treatment time so that you are pleasantly surpised when it takes less time. If indeed your back teeth are already in good position and you're only straightening front teeth it should take less than a year. Braces are often worn up to 3 months AFTER the teeth are straight in order to stabilize the new position of the teeth and provide better long-term stability. Hope this helps...GOOD LUCK!
Brad Lockhart, DDS
Tustin Cosmetic Dentist
Tustin Cosmetic Dentist