How Long Will I Need Braces?

Hello again, El Paso! Dr. Teng is back with you for another orthodontic deep dive. This week, we’re tackling a question I hear all the time: “How long will I have to wear these things?”

I know, I know. Braces aren’t exactly known for being a quick fix. But the truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Treatment time varies from person to person depending on a number of factors.

What Impacts Treatment Time?

Here are some of the key things that influence how long you’ll need to wear braces:

Severity of Your Case

Simply put, the more complex your orthodontic issues, the longer your treatment is likely to take. A minor overbite might only require 12 months of treatment, while a severe underbite could take 24 months or more.

Your Age

While we can successfully treat patients of all ages, younger patients (especially children and adolescents) tend to respond to treatment more quickly than adults. This is because their jaws are still growing and developing.

Your Compliance

This is a big one! Following our instructions carefully, including wearing your elastics as directed and maintaining good oral hygiene, can significantly impact the efficiency of your treatment. Missed appointments or broken brackets can also cause delays.

The Type of Braces

Traditional metal braces are often the most efficient option, but we also offer clear aligners (like Invisalign) and ceramic braces, which may have slightly different treatment timelines.

The Average Timeline

While every case is unique, most patients wear braces for somewhere between 18 and 30 months.

Making the Most of Your Time in Braces

Here are a few tips to help ensure your treatment stays on track:

Keep those appointments! Regular check-ups allow us to monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments.
Be a diligent brusher and flosser. Braces create more nooks and crannies for food to get trapped, so maintaining excellent oral hygiene is essential.
Wear your elastics as instructed. Elastics help to correct your bite and ensure proper alignment.
Avoid sticky and hard foods. These can damage your braces and prolong your treatment time.

Have More Questions?

We’re always happy to discuss your individual treatment plan and estimated timeline in detail during your consultation. Come see us at one of our two convenient locations:

Westside: 5551 N Mesa, Suite A, El Paso, TX 79912. Call us at (915)-581-5476.
Eastside: 3030 Trawood Drive, El Paso, TX 79936. Reach us at (915) 855-6616.

See you soon!

Warmly,
Dr. Teng JT Orthodontics

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Very easy and accessible to get my Invisalign! They explained everything and guided me through the online app to get set up 😃

Karol Magallanes

Very friendly staff!! They were able to answer all of my questions and get started with a treatment plan that was reasonably priced. Overall great and easy process

Nicole Embury

Treatment with Jt orthodontist was a great experience, everything was explained well and all the treatments went as planned. I am very happy with the results and would definitely recommend them.

Arturo Crociata

Dr. Teng is great, he is very meticulous about his treatment plans and will find the best solutions to ensure I have the perfect smile. All his staff from front desk to dental assistants are all very sweet and professional. I always love going to my appointments, there’s never any wait to be seen and the appointment itself is very quick. The office runs very efficiently. I love the progress I have had with my smile and I am very happy that I chose JT Orthodontics

Updated:
Utterly ecstatic about my orthodontic completion. My teeth and especially my bite feel fantastic. I did not notice how bad my actual bite affected me. I no longer bite down harder on one side and I’m able to bite an apple or carrot using my front teeth without struggling. I actually stopped biting my tongue as well which would happen during eating. The staff has always been superb! They’re super kind and accommodating. They are also very thorough with each exam and great with their explanations. It was worth driving to from out of town. Dr. Teng is very professional, efficient, and meticulous to get that perfect smile and bite. Thank you!

Jacqueline Barrera

I've been with JT Orthodontics for a year now and I've been seeing excellent progress! Doctor and his staff are very friendly and knowledgeable, would highly recommend stopping by to see them for your Orthodontic/Invisalign needs!

Steve Concha

We are truly grateful and thankful that we came to JT Orthodontics for my our daughters second round of braces since the first round of treatment was not a success….. but now with her second round on braces 😬 we are extremely happy with her results and her care was the best in town love them…..! I would highly recommend them!

Gabriela Rincon