It never fails. When you get new braces, you check the mirror every five minutes to see if they’re working yet. Well, maybe not every five minutes, but you do wonder, “How long does it take to see a difference with braces?” Unfortunately, that question does not have a standard, cut-and-dried answer. We can explain that a little better.
How Long Does It Take to See a Difference with Braces?
While some people may notice a difference in as little as one month, most will not see any change for three to four months. Some people may never notice a difference until their braces are removed.
The reason for the huge difference is that each patient is different. Some people respond very quickly to braces shifting their teeth into alignment. A different person may respond much slower to adjustments. This is based on jaw, tooth, and bone structure, and other factors not easily explained.
The shifting of your teeth with braces is a gradual process. Each time the orthodontist adjusts your braces, your teeth are shifting into better alignment. Although the orthodontist will undoubtedly notice the subtle changes, you may not be able to see them in a mirror. While this gradual process may seem to be taking forever, it really isn’t.
How Do You Know Your Braces Are Working?
Don’t let the snail’s pace of the process of straightening your smile discourage you, though. If you are feeling slight discomfort with each adjustment, that means that the braces are doing their job. The discomfort you feel is your teeth shifting into the correct alignment. Whether you have traditional braces or Invisalign, each adjustment or tray change will probably cause slight discomfort for the first couple of days.
If the orthodontist moves your teeth too quickly, the recovery time between adjustments will actually be longer. Braces and Invisalign work by gradually shifting your teeth. After the first couple of days following an adjustment, your teeth begin to settle into their new positions. The slight discomfort you feel will lessen when the teeth start settling.
If, at any point, you feel extreme pain following an adjustment, please contact Amboy Orthodontics immediately. While the process of moving your teeth will cause minor discomfort, it should not cause extreme pain. If you feel that you need anything stronger than an over-the-counter pain reliever, please call the office to discuss your pain level with us.
Good Oral Hygiene Helps Your Braces Work Better
To help your braces do their job more efficiently, follow the dietary recommendations you were given, and practice good oral hygiene. The largest benefit of the diet restrictions is to avoid damaging your brackets and wires. While some things may not seem bad, it doesn’t take much to dislodge the delicate wires, which can slow down your treatment.
If you have additional questions about your braces or your treatment plan, please call Amboy Orthodontics. Our staff will be happy to answer all your questions and give you suggestions for food and oral hygiene.
Phone: (732) 442-7300
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