How Long Should You Expect to Undergo Your Orthodontic Treatment?
Posted on: 27 April 2021
People of all ages may require orthodontic treatment for a multitude of reasons. Although this treatment is commonly prescribed for individuals that have developed an overbite or underbite due to the misalignment of their jaw or teeth, it is also necessary for patients that are dealing with crooked teeth, large gaps between their teeth and even protruding teeth. While most people are familiar with the use of traditional metal braces, these are not the only orthodontic treatment available.
Other solutions that your dentist may prescribe include ceramic braces, clear aligners and removable plates. While the orthodontic treatment prescribed works to correct your teeth, it is not uncommon for many patients to want to be done before they have even started. In truth, the duration of this treatment varies from one patient to the next. Keep reading to help you determine how long you should expect to undergo your orthodontic treatment.
How old are you?
Age has a massive influence on the length of one's orthodontic treatment course and this can be attributed to the fact that children are still developing whereas adults are not. For example, if a child's milk teeth are growing crooked, a dentist can easily limit this from happening within a short time since while the child is undergoing the treatment, they could be losing milk teeth at the same time. Hence, their jaw and teeth are much more malleable and by the time the child has their permanent teeth, they will be spaced out correctly.
This is not the same experience for adults, more so if the oral problems they are contending with started when they were still young. In the case of adults, more time is required to correct any abnormalities to their jawbone or the alignment of their teeth. Not to mention that complications such as bone loss in the jaw will affect the treatment too. Therefore, the more severe the misalignment, the longer the orthodontic treatment will take.
How thorough is your oral care routine?
An aspect that some patients take for granted but will have a direct impact on the length and success of their orthodontic treatment is their oral care. This factor is particularly vital to patients that are outfitted with irremovable orthodontic appliances, as they have to be careful about keeping the orthodontics and their gums, teeth and mouth free of any particles that could breed bacteria in their oral cavity.
With that in mind, your dentist will equip you with a comprehensive cleaning regimen that functions to minimise your risk of undue infections. If you do not follow these orthodontic care instructions, you are at a higher risk of developing problems such as cavities, bleeding gums, abscesses and so on. Consequently, you end up having to undergo orthodontic treatment for longer than expected since the dentist has to treat these infections.
Reach out to a professional who provides orthodontic treatments.
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