According to the American Association of Orthodontists, kids should have an initial orthodontic screening at age 7. Often it isn’t necessary to begin treatment right away but if orthodontic work is needed, we can monitor your child’s growth patterns until we see that it’s time for treatment to begin. This gives us an opportunity to get the best results in the most efficient way, and to help prevent future problems.
The most common time for orthodontic treatment is during the preteen and early teenage years. We often plan treatment around a teenagers growth spurt especially if there are any jaw discrepancies that we need growth to help correct.
Average treatment time
The amount of time it takes to treat your smile and bite with braces depends on three key factors:
- The extent of the problem: The amount of treatment needed to correct a problem will determine how long the process takes. Each person reacts to treatments differently, so while it may take one patient only 12 months to complete their treatment, it may take another patient 24 months. Treatment times can vary, depending on how quickly your body responds and how much work is needed to give you an ideal bite and the beautiful smile you expect.
- Cooperation: Your willingness to use the appliances and elastics your orthodontist gives you plays a major role in the length of time it takes to complete your treatment. Always remember to take care of your braces and appliances as this will help make your treatment shorter!
- Oral Hygiene: The cleaner you keep your teeth and braces, the faster your teeth will move and the better your teeth will look when the braces come off!
