<p>So I went to the ortho and he told me I need about 3 years. I was fine with that but when I went to the other ortho he told me 2 years. Can someone explain why one would take longer than the other? Or could it be that the ortho who said 3 years Could be wrong and it would only take 2 years.</p>
<p>Sometimes there is treatment, such as palate expanding, before the braces go on. Whatever you are told, it can change. Sometimes patients do not comply and the treatment takes longer.</p>
<p>Because one of them is an optimist and the other is a pessimist. Braces take different amounts of time and everyone is different in their response.</p>
<p>2 of my kids had braces. The older one took 2 years and the younger one 18 months. Are they going to space the visits out the same? My older son was quoted a longer time at a different dentist but they were going to wait longer in between each visit.</p>
<p>You can move teeth really fast actually, but the problem is that the bone does not form as fast as the teeth move. Depending on the severity and complexity of movements required it might take a while for an ortho treatment to be completed. Three years seam a big long but again it all depends if you have other problems that have to be addressed first, like removal of teeth, any gum problem,etc. Some orthodontists will remove the braces but still make you wear retainers full time until the bone is fully formed. Facial muscles are mostly responsible for teeth migration and those cannot be changed so even after the treatment you will need to wear retainer at night. When in doubt ask. Health professionals are there to answer questions. If you cannot trust them enough to ask them questions you should not trust them with your health.</p>
<p>In our experience treatment time varies anywhere from two to three years. Depends on many factors, so both dentists were correct in their predictions.</p>
<p>I had braces at age 39. The first ortho I went to said that it couldn’t be done without pulling teeth. I wasn’t willing to do that so I waited a while and then went to another ortho who said it would take two years. No teeth pulling needed.</p>
<p>I went ahead and it was indeed two years with no pulling of teeth. Six months of full time retainers after that. I do need to wear my retainers every night, even now, as bone has more “memory” when you are older.</p>
<p>Eleven years later, I’ve never regretted it.</p>
<p>Thank You guys for the response. I definitely do trust the ortho. He put braces for my mom and cousins and his office is always packed. So I’m not worried just curious. I guess he gave me a higher number than the other ortho cuz he didn’t want to give me a worse case scenario.</p>
<p>It’s all dependent on the time the ortho feels is necessary. </p>
<p>My original told me 24-36 months. </p>
<p>His partner took over my city’s office. My first appointment with him he chuckled and said, “This will be a lot shorter. 18 months at most.”</p>
<p>I have my braces off and it took 10 months. :D</p>
<p>I had large spaces in my teeth and no other jaw, palate, bite problems. My teeth moved relatively fast. My first visit they put a power chain on my front two teeth. I remember two or three days later it was closed. I was 17 at the time they were put on so I would imagine slower teeth movement for an older adult.</p>
<p>My spacing isn’t too bad, the problem is that my upper jaw is slanted. It isn’t to severe where u would notice it tho. I actually never noticed till the ortho pointed it out. So hopefully it takes two years.</p>
<p>I have been wearing my retainer for 30 years. When you pay for the second round of braces yourself it is easier to remember to wear your retainer.</p>
<p>Wow, 30 years? I thought that you only had to wear them until your face/jaw stopped growing.</p>
<p>Retainers are forever. </p>
<p>The amount of time you have to wear them for your teeth to remain straight decreases over the years.</p>
<p>Your facial muscles are the ones that cause your teeth to move in the first place( most of the time) those do not change with the treatment so if you do not use retainers your teeth with shift with time.</p>