With an increasing number of adults seeking orthodontic treatment, we often get asked the question: “How Long Do Adults Wear Braces?”. At Bovenizer and Baker Orthodontics, we really enjoy treating the adult population and seeing the transformations and confidence that occur once adults finish their treatment. Providing a complimentary new patient exam for an adult is quite different from one of a child. An adult typically comes to our office because they are thinking about or weighing their options for treatment. They may have been contemplating cosmetic intervention with their smile for quite some time. On the other hand, an adult patient may have discussed orthodontic therapy to enhance their overall dental health. They may find that alignment will help with their hygiene, or they may need orthodontics to aid in a restorative plan that could include an implant, veneers or a crown. We always want to at least advise an adult patient when it comes to the latter. Once dental work is performed, especially an implant, orthodontics becomes more difficult.
With this said, “How long are adults in treatment?” is the better question than “How long will I need braces?”. In fact, this is a common misconception when adults come in for their complimentary examination. They automatically think that they are going to be in braces for two years with rubber bands and the whole works. Oftentimes adults are candidates for Invisalign clear aligners and their treatment can be as short as six months, depending on the goals. We can even treat more severe malocclusions with aligners and it may take 9 to 18 months. For fixed appliances and braces, adults are in treatment for an average of 9-12 months. If you are an adult interested in orthodontic treatment, you can set up a complimentary new patient consultation which includes an x-ray, photos of your teeth, an exam by Dr. Bo or Dr. Baker, a treatment plan including options and length and a financial quote. We even verify your insurance for you, so you can walk out the door with an accurate estimate! Call our office at 919.303.4557 or submit this form on our site to get your free consultation set up!
