Starting orthodontic treatment is an exciting step toward the smile you’ve always wanted! Whether you’re getting braces in Holly Springs or choosing clear aligners, seeing that first glimpse of your new appliance in the mirror marks the beginning of an amazing transformation.
But as your journey begins, one of the first questions on your mind might be:
“how long will I have to wear braces or clear aligners?”
Let’s break it down and talk about how long your treatment may take—and how you can help speed things up!
How long will I have to wear braces?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here—every smile is unique. While the average patient spends about 18 to 24 months in braces, your individual treatment time can vary based on several factors:
- The type of braces you choose: We offer custom KLOwen braces, which have each bracket 3D-printed for each individual tooth, allowing for the utmost efficiency in the tooth movement process. These custom braces are known to speed up treatment by 41% on average! (Read more about them below.)
- Severity of your orthodontic condition(s). You may have one or more common orthodontic conditions affecting the beauty and health of your smile. While mild or moderate issues like crowded teeth or gapped teeth can be corrected swiftly, severe cases like underbites or overbites can require more complex treatment which can take much longer to correct.
- Compliance. How long your treatment takes also depends on you! Making sure you attend your adjustment appointments, wear your rubber bands as prescribed, and avoid braces unfriendly foods helps keep your treatment on track.
- Age. While healthy teeth move the same at every age, early orthodontic treatment provides a significant advantage. Why? Because it’s easier to work with the natural growth and development of teeth and jaws to guide them into healthy alignment.
How long do you have to wear clear aligners?
If you’re interested in clear aligners in Holly Springs, good news! Clear aligner treatment typically takes about the same time as braces — usually 12 to 24 months depending on your case.
How many hours a day do I wear my aligners?
To stay on track, you’ll need to wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day. You’ll only remove them for meals, snacks, and brushing. Staying consistent is key—think of your aligners like a gym membership: they only work if you use them!
Speed treatment up with custom KLOwen™ braces!
Custom KLOwen braces offer a modern twist on traditional braces. As reported by KLOwen, these braces’ full custom design and digital 3D treatment planning are proven to:
- Reduce overall treatment time by 41%
- Reduce office visits by 45%
- Reduce the incidents of broken brackets by 49%
- Allow for precise, highly-efficient tooth movement
Patients often finish treatment months faster than with traditional metal braces. If you’re looking for a faster, more personalized approach to braces in Holly Springs, KLOwen might be the perfect fit!
How long does it take to get braces off?
Good news — removing braces is much quicker than getting them on! In most cases, the process takes less than an hour and involves:
- Gently removing each bracket using a special tool
- Cleaning any remaining dental adhesive from your teeth
- Polishing up your smile to make it shine
- Fitting you for your custom retainer to keep your results locked in!
Remember: Wearing your retainer as directed by your orthodontist in Holly Springs is the most important and final step in your smile transformation.
How to get braces off faster
We get it — everyone’s eager to see that final, beautiful smile! While there’s no magic shortcut, there are some tried-and-true tips to keep your treatment moving forward:
- Stick to your treatment plan! Making sure you attend your check-in appointments on time and following your orthodontist’s instructions on wear time for aligners or rubber bands.
- Keep your teeth clean! Not sticking to a strong oral hygiene routine can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. It’s especially important to care for your teeth and gums while in orthodontic treatment as braces offer more places for food and plaque to hide and build up.
- Enjoy braces-friendly foods. Foods on the list to avoid are there because they can lead to broken brackets or wires, extending your time in braces. (This is true with clear aligner attachments too!)
- Wear rubber bands as prescribed. As you progress into your treatment, Dr. Fritz or Dr. Wilson may prescribe you rubber bands to wear with your braces or aligners. Being diligent about changing them out and wearing them in the correct position helps keep the momentum going in your teeth straightening journey.
Still wondering how long braces or clear aligners will take?
Your smile is unique, and so is your treatment timeline. But one thing’s for sure: the best results come from following your plan and trusting your experienced team at Fritz & Wilson Orthodontics.
Whether you’re interested in braces in Holly Springs, clear aligners in Holly Springs, or want to learn more about our high-tech braces like KLOwen, we’re here to help you smile with confidence.
Ready to get started? Request your complimentary consultation at our orthodontic office in Holly Springs today!
