How long will my child have to have braces?

Posted on January 27, 2022 | Hot Topics | Orthodontics

That’s a pretty broad question, since each mouth is unique. Let us say this: getting braces is a big commitment of time, money, and lifestyle changes. It can take a decent amount of time to move teeth into the desired positions and there are a number of reasons that teeth may need to be moved.

A very important thing to consider is the desired outcome of the child getting the braces. To understand how long your child will need to have braces there are a number of factors to consider.

It sort of depends…

You have to evaluate the situation and think about why your child needed braces in the first place. Many kids need braces because their teeth do not fit together correctly and their bite has to be manipulated. This is a process that can be fairly involved and can take a few years to come to fruition. Then, you have to consider both the top and bottom arches of teeth. Are they like a complex puzzle of peaks and valleys that have to all fit together properly? That might end up taking longer, but even minor changes can take some time to fix.

When the bite isn’t an issue and all that is required is some “smile beautification,” the amount of time required can be significantly shorter. One thing to consider when thinking about pushing for early removal of braces is relapse in tooth position.

If you opt to have your child’s braces removed before the recommended time your orthodontist suggests, there is the possibility that their teeth could move out of place again. This is a discouraging issue and we will always make sure you know any risks associated with early removal.

Definitely no longer than…

There is a maximum amount of time that braces are typically allowed to stay on teeth. It’s pretty rare that braces will need to remain on teeth for longer than 5 years.

In the end…

In the end, your child (and you) will be happy that they had braces. Remember, braces do serve an important function! It’s often much more than just creating a beautiful smile. In the end, a beautiful, healthy smile is your kid’s reward for sticking with their braces and allowing them to do their job.