When Do I Get My Braces Off?

Irvine, CA-   One of the most common questions an orthodontist receives is “When do I get my braces off?” Treatment plans vary between patients and their circumstances, but there are a few similar factors that could help determine whether or not you are close to getting your braces off. Dr. Sophia Updike, an Irvine orthodontist, discusses her criteria for determining when a patient is close to getting their braces off.

There are three main phases of treatment that every patient must pass before their braces can be removed, and that is: crowding, arch alignments, and bite alignment.

1. Crowding

   One of the main concerns when a patient first gets braces is either because they have gaps in their teeth that need to be closed or have overcrowding of the teeth.  Typically, when a patient has overcrowding, teeth need to either be removed or the arches need to be expanded. The main goal is to create enough room for the teeth to move and realign into the proper position.

2. Alignment of the Teeth

   Once there is enough room for the teeth to move into their proper positions, this is when wires, elastic chains, and possibly other supplements are used. This process takes some time, depending on the patient’s case and how quickly or slowly their teeth move. It is important to note that it is common for some teeth to move quicker than others, especially when there are gaps that need to be closed due to teeth removal.

3. Correcting the Bite

While the other two steps may take time to show results, correcting the bite typically feels the longest of them all.  This is usually the time when the question of “When do I get my braces off?” comes up more frequently.  At this point in treatment, the patient may be wearing their rubber bands properly and consistently and see that their smile looks perfect and their teeth are aligned. However, from an orthodontist’s perspective, it is important to determine whether or not the teeth have aligned, and the bite is stable.  If a patient had an underbite or overbite, it is important to determine whether or not that has been corrected.

To simply answer this question, it all depends on what stage you are in the treatment process.  Stay patient and your smile will be worth it in the end! It’s best to wait until your orthodontist decides whether or not your braces are ready to be removed, as they want to provide the best result.  If you have any other questions regarding braces, feel free to contact our office at (949) 870- 9713 and our staff will be eager to help!