Why Do Braces Take So Long - T-Tees - Your Answers Await, Life's Questions Unraveled

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Patients are often excited to get braces. After all, they’re going to end up with a beautiful, new smile! After a while, though, they sometimes get impatient. They want to know why braces take so long.

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We totally understand the desire to see the final effect, but we also know how important it is to do your braces treatment right. That means taking the time to ensure your teeth move correctly and slowly, so further damage doesn’t occur.

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Wilson & Hendrickson Orthodontics prides itself on providing exceptional braces treatment in the Topeka, KS, area. We customize your braces treatment to the smallest detail so we can give you the best smile possible.

Sometimes, though, that treatment can take quite a while. How long does it take for braces to work? That’s a complicated answer, but one we’re happy to explain.

Why Are My Braces Taking So Long to Work?

You may think the braces process is a simple one: add some brackets, string a wire through, then wait. The truth is, it’s a complicated process that involves mapping detailed movements of each tooth. Why so meticulous? Moving a tooth too fast or at the wrong time can cause damage to the tooth, a nearby tooth, or even your jawbone.

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Do you know how braces work? Your braces apply gentle pressure that causes the jawbone to break down, allowing the tooth to move. As it moves, the bone builds up again behind it. If it didn’t work like this, your teeth would probably fall out!

That’s why we move your teeth slowly and carefully — so your jawbone has time to break down and rebuild itself. The bone keeps hold of your teeth, allowing them to move slowly but still keeping a tight grip.

How Do You Plan My Braces Treatment?

As we mentioned, part of the reason why braces take so long is because of the detailed movements planned for every tooth. Here’s what you can expect when you request an evaluation from us.

We start with detailed digital x-rays and scans of your teeth using high-tech scanners. This technology allows us to get up-close details of your teeth and gums, far better than the old x-rays and goop-filled trays your parents had to use! We can even see the structure of your mouth and airway.

We take those scans and put them into our high-tech software that crafts a detailed plan on how to achieve the smile of your dreams. The software plots the movement of each tooth, when we might need to make adjustments, and when we might add rubber bands for added movement. Using this plan, we’re able to tell you how long your braces will take to work, and we can even show you what your smile may look like in the end.

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How Long Does It Take for Braces to Work?

How long you have to wear braces will depend on the type and how many dental issues we are repairing and how severe those dental issues are. On average, braces treatment takes 12-24 months. If we’re just fixing an overbite, the amount of time may be on the shorter end of the scale. If we’re fixing an overbite, a crossbite, and several crooked teeth, it may take longer.

We also may need to prepare your mouth for braces by installing appliances that make space for tooth movement. We may need to put spacers between your back teeth so we have room to slip bands around them for the braces. You might need a wider upper jaw to make room for all your teeth, so we may have you wear a palate expander for a few months.

You’re probably wondering, “Why do braces take 2 years?” Again, that goes back to making sure we give your bones time to repair themselves as your teeth move.

We have good news! Wilson & Hendrickson Orthodontics offers advanced metal braces designed to give you better treatment in less time than other types of braces like traditional metal braces. So while your braces treatment could take 12-24 months, it could take less than that with our braces! We’ll give you an estimated orthodontic treatment time during your initial consultation.

How Much Are Braces and How Do I Pay?

The cost of braces can vary depending on how complex your case may be. On average, braces cost about $3,500. How do you pay for that? Wilson & Hendrickson has several financing options to help you pay!

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We offer a discount on your braces if you pay in full at the beginning of your treatment. We also offer a discount if you bring in a family member to get treated by us. What if you can’t pay in full? No problem!

We offer in-house financing with 0% interest, and we can set you up to make monthly payments until the braces are paid off. We even offer payment plans that extend beyond the length of time you wear your braces.

We also will work with you to determine how much braces with your insurance will be. We accept major dental insurance providers, so there’s a great chance your dental insurance plan can help cover the cost!

Getting Braces in Topeka, KS

If you’re in the Topeka, KS area or near our Seneca, KS, satellite office, we’d love to hear from you and will be happy to answer any questions you may have. We know that braces are a big deal, and we can’t wait to share the experience with you!

If traditional metal braces aren’t your thing, we also offer clear braces and treatment with Invisalign clear aligners. In fact, we are a Top 1% Invisalign Diamond Provider! That means we are among an elite group of orthodontists nationwide who work with and are proficient with Invisalign.

Whichever way you choose, Wilson & Hendrickson Orthodontics is dedicated to providing exceptional care, comfort, and compassion while creating the smile of your dreams. Contact us today to find out what we can do for you!