Dental Braces

Treatment lengths vary from person to person, but typically people wear braces for 12 to 24 months. The amount of time you wear braces will also depend on your treatment needs. For problems that are harder to fix, or for older patients, treatment may take up to three years.

During your initial consultation, our specialist orthodontist will provide you with an estimate of the length of your orthodontic treatment.

There isn’t a particular age that’s best for getting braces. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just children and teens who are ideal candidates for braces. Adults of all ages can be viable candidates for braces to achieve their desirable smiles and correct dental issues.

However, the teenage years and early adulthood are more or less the ‘sweet spot’ for most orthodontic treatments. During the adolescent stage, the jawline and underlying tissue are still developing. Your teeth tend to respond more quickly to pressure from orthodontic treatments at this period. We recommend a consultation with our specialist orthodontists who can guide you about the right treatment for you.

Once your braces are removed, your teeth have been moved into their new, correct positions. However, the structures that support the teeth — the gums and underlying jaw bone — need more time to adjust to this new positioning. This is why wearing a retainer post-braces is so important.

A retainer is a custom-made appliance designed to keep your teeth in place. The length of time you’ll need to wear a retainer varies. Some people may need to wear it full-time for a while, while others may only need to wear it at night. The duration depends on your individual treatment plan. Over time, your orthodontist may reduce the hours per day you need to wear your retainer, but it’s often recommended to continue nighttime wear indefinitely to prevent any future shifting. Regular check-ups with your orthodontist post-braces are also necessary to ensure your teeth are maintaining their new position.

No, wearing braces will not interfere with playing sports or playing instruments. You can continue playing any sport or instrument you like while undergoing orthodontic treatment, but you do need to take precautions to keep your braces and mouth safe.

Mouthguards are the single best way to protect your teeth when playing sports, especially high-contact ones such as football, hockey, and boxing.