Fastest Orthodontic Treatments
Which orthodontic treatment is the fastest?
Orthodontic treatment involves the physiological process of moving teeth. All treatments apply gradual force to your teeth to guide them into the ideal alignment, and this can rarely be accomplished quickly.
Orthodontic treatment has evolved exponentially over the last few decades, and advances in technology have helped standardized treatment time across almost all of the methods. The average treatment time is about 22 months, although this can vary from patient to patient. Factors that can affect the duration of treatment include:
How closely you follow your orthodontist’s instructions on teeth brushing, flossing, cleanings, and diet.
Poor oral hygiene can result in cavities, gingivitis, or tooth decay that impedes your orthodontic treatment. Similarly, not following your orthodontist’s recommendations on foods you should avoid can cause damage to orthodontic appliances, slowing your progress.
Routinely keeping your scheduled appointments, usually every six to eight weeks.
Patient age at the time of treatment.
While there is no age limit to orthodontic treatment, adult teeth are denser and will take longer to move. Additionally, children’s teeth are still emerging and moving into growing jaws and facial structures, so they are a little more malleable.
Condition and severity of the teeth requiring treatment.
The treatment approach for children can depend on the extent of their misalignment, the eruption of adult teeth, or their age when they begin treatment. Adults may have fillings, missing or misshapen teeth, or other dental conditions that can slow down the treatment process.
Patience is imperative for the best results. Realigning teeth takes precise adjustments, around which the bone must harden, and this takes time. Moreover, every orthodontic patient is different, and your treatment is tailored to your specific dental needs. Trying to accelerate your treatment on your own—either by exceeding the wear recommendations for appliances, rubber bands, or other devices—can result in overcorrection, further misalignment, or long-term damage to your jaw, teeth, and gums.
Post-treatment care and maintenance are equally important to ensure the stability and durability of your results. Be sure to follow your orthodontist’s guidance for retainer wear and follow-up appointments. These professionals have the level of training and experience in orthodontic treatment that you need to achieve your best smile.
More important than the type or duration of your treatment is the selection of your orthodontic provider. Some doctors may practice orthodontics, but not all doctors are orthodontists. Orthodontists must have graduated dental school and completed 2-3 additional years of an accredited orthodontic residency program. To avoid costly errors or mistakes, be sure your orthodontist is trained and experienced in your treatment options and is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO).
The 18-24 months typically required of orthodontic treatment may seem like a daunting commitment, but it is a relatively small investment for a beautiful, healthy smile that will last a lifetime. Don’t wait another day for the confidence of a healthy smile. In addition to our routine dental care and cleaning services, Dental Depot provides a dedicated AAO-certified orthodontist at our Oklahoma City metro orthodontic locations. This means you receive the same quality of care from the same committed team no matter what your oral health needs may be.
Schedule an Appointment Today!
For more on our orthodontic treatment options, or to schedule a complimentary consultation, visit our website at dentaldepot.net/find-location to find the office nearest you.
Insights
Celebrating Cheyenne – Everybody Loves ELOs EA
Cheyenne McArthur has always learned by doing. Where others might not risk failure, Cheyenne puts aside that fear and dares to try. Each stumble is just another lesson to learn and will ultimately make her next attempt even better. It’s this same resiliency and willingness to learn that has made such a positive impact on
Counting Ourselves Lucky: Celebrating Our Teams in 2021
Dental Depot has long been dedicated to improving the oral health and wellness of our patients and communities, but every March brings with it a number of celebrations aimed at honoring our teams. Between Employee Appreciation Day, Dentist’s Day, and Dental Assistants Recognition Week (with Dental Hygienists Appreciation Week soon to follow!), there’s a lot
From Class to Career: Dental Depot Academy Equips Students with Tools to Succeed
People pursue careers in dentistry for a number of reasons; they like helping others, they have a love for art and science, they’re fascinated by teeth or oral health, or perhaps they’re just looking for a reliable field of work. No matter why they’re interested in dentistry, it can be agreed that dental assisting is
