“How long is this going to take?” We hear this question at almost every single consultation. It’s completely understandable. Whether you’re a parent scheduling orthodontic treatment for your child or an adult thinking about straightening your own smile, you want to know what you’re signing up for. There’s no one answer for everyone. But we can give you a realistic picture of what to expect.
At Garlington Orthodontics, we’ve been helping Long Beach families with this decision for over 35 years. Here’s what we tell every patient about treatment time.
The Average Timeline
For most patients, orthodontic treatment takes between 12 and 24 months. That’s the general range for both traditional braces and Invisalign. Some cases finish faster. Simple crowding or minor spacing might wrap up in under a year. Complex bite issues or significant crowding can take closer to two years or occasionally a bit more.
Every smile is different. That’s why we create a customized plan for each patient.
What Affects Treatment Time?
Several factors play into how long treatment takes.
- The complexity of the case: Moving a few slightly crooked teeth is faster than correcting a severe overbite or rotating teeth that have grown in at odd angles.
- Patient compliance, especially with Invisalign: Aligners need to be worn 20-22 hours a day. Patients who follow that rule religiously stay on track. Those who forget to wear them? Their treatment takes longer. It’s that simple.
- For braces, wearing rubber bands as directed and keeping appointments on time: Skipping elastics for a few days might not seem like a big deal, but it adds up.
- Age: Younger patients whose jaws are still growing can sometimes see faster results. Adult teeth move a bit more slowly, but modern technology helps bridge that gap.
How Technology Helps Speed Things Up
We use state-of-the-art digital technology in our Long Beach office. That’s not just marketing talk; it actually helps patients finish faster.
Digital scans replace goopy impressions. They’re more accurate, which means better-fitting appliances. 3D imaging lets us plan treatment with incredible precision. We know exactly where each tooth needs to go before we even start. For some patients, we offer virtual monitoring. That means fewer office visits, which is more convenient. And because we can check progress remotely, we catch any issues early.
Dr. Garlington’s years of experience matter too. When you’ve treated thousands of cases, you learn what works and what doesn’t. We don’t waste time on methods that don’t produce results.
What Patients Can Do to Stay on Track
Treatment time isn’t just up to us. Patients play a big role too.
Wear your aligners or rubber bands as directed. Keep your teeth clean, as gum problems can slow down tooth movement. Don’t skip appointments. And avoid foods that break braces.
Think of it as a partnership. We do our part with expert planning and care. You do your part by following through at home. When we work together, treatment stays on schedule.
What About Retainers?
The active treatment phase might be 18 months, but retainers are forever. After braces come off or aligners finish, teeth want to shift back to their old positions. That’s just how biology works. Wearing a retainer as directed keeps everything in place.
We tell patients to think of retainers like a “lifetime commitment,” but it’s a small one. A few minutes each night to keep a smile that took over a year to build.
Improve Your Smile Today
Most orthodontic treatment takes one to two years. That might sound like a long time, but it flies by. And the result of a healthy, straight smile that lasts a lifetime is absolutely worth it.
Every patient at Garlington Orthodontics gets a personalized timeline at their consultation. We walk through the details, answer every question, and make sure everyone knows what to expect.
Ready to find out what your timeline might look like? Give our Long Beach office a call. We’d love to talk with you.