How Long Does It Take to Put on Braces

How Long Does it Take to Get Braces?

The entire process of getting braces, from your initial consultation to the actual placement, typically involves several appointments spread over a few weeks.

Consultation and Evaluation

The first step is a consultation with your orthodontist, where they will assess your teeth and discuss the different types of braces available. This session may include taking X-rays and making molds of your teeth to understand your specific needs.

Dental Preparation

Depending on your dental health, you might need cleaning, extractions, or other treatments before getting braces. This preparation ensures that your teeth are in optimal condition.

Braces Fitting

The actual appointment to get your braces put on usually takes about one to two hours. During this visit, your orthodontist will clean and dry your teeth, apply a bonding adhesive, attach the brackets, and then connect the archwire and secure it with elastic bands.

Follow-up Appointments

After your braces are installed, you’ll need regular check-ups every four to six weeks for adjustments, which are crucial for the progress of your orthodontic treatment.

How Long Does it Take to Get Braces Put On

Getting your braces put on is typically a one-time, straightforward procedure that takes about one to two hours. Here’s what you can expect during the appointment:

Cleaning and Preparation

First, your orthodontist will thoroughly clean and dry your teeth. This ensures that the teeth’s surface is optimal for the braces.

Applying the Adhesive

A special dental adhesive is then applied to your teeth. This glue will hold the brackets in place.

Placing the Brackets

Each bracket is carefully positioned on the predetermined spots on your teeth, using precise measurements to align and straighten your teeth effectively.

Curing the Adhesive

Once the brackets are in place, the orthodontist uses a high-intensity light to cure the adhesive, securing the brackets firmly to your teeth.

Attaching the Archwire

The archwire, which applies pressure to the teeth to move them, is threaded through the brackets. It’s held in place by small elastic bands.

Final Adjustments

The orthodontist may make some final adjustments to ensure the wire’s tension is appropriate for your treatment plan.

While the process takes one to two hours, it’s pain-free, although you might feel some pressure or slight discomfort. 

What to Do Before Your Braces Appointment

Before your braces appointment, taking a few preparatory steps can help ensure a smooth and comfortable experience. Here’s what you can do:

Eat a Good Meal

Once your braces are on, you might experience some discomfort and need to stick to softer foods for a few days. Eating a substantial meal before your appointment can keep you comfortable since you might not feel like eating immediately afterward.

Brush and Floss Thoroughly

Clean teeth are crucial for the bonding process of the brackets. Brush and floss your teeth meticulously before your appointment to remove all food particles and plaque.

Take Pain Relievers If Necessary

Some patients choose to take an over-the-counter pain reliever before their appointment to preemptively manage any discomfort that might occur after the braces are put on.

Wear Comfortable Clothing

You’ll be sitting in the dentist’s chair for a while, so wear something comfortable. Also, consider bringing a lip balm as your lips may get dry during the procedure.

Prepare Mentally

Knowing what to expect can ease any anxieties. Understand that it’s normal to feel a little discomfort after the braces are applied, as your teeth begin to shift.

Arrange Transportation If Needed

If you expect to feel overwhelmed or fatigued after the appointment, consider arranging a ride home.

Ask Questions

Write down any questions you might have about the braces procedure, care routine, or follow-up appointments to ask your orthodontist before getting started.

How Are Braces Put On?

Putting on braces is a precise and carefully planned procedure, performed by a dentist or orthodontist to ensure that each bracket and wire works effectively to move the teeth into the desired position. 

Here’s a detailed breakdown of how braces are typically put on:

Cleaning and Preparing the Teeth

The orthodontist starts by thoroughly cleaning your teeth to ensure that there is no plaque or debris on the surface. This step is important because the brackets need a clean surface to adhere properly.

Applying the Conditioner

A conditioner is applied to the teeth for a few seconds to get the surface ready for the adhesive. This helps improve the bond between the brackets and the teeth.

Drying and Priming

After rinsing off the conditioner, your teeth will be dried, and a primer is applied to help the adhesive bond to the surface of your teeth.

Applying the Adhesive

Adhesive is then applied to the back of each bracket.

Placing the Brackets

The orthodontist places each bracket on the predetermined position on each tooth. This positioning is crucial as it dictates the direction in which each tooth will move. Brackets are usually placed in the center of each tooth.

Curing the Adhesive

Once all brackets are in place, the orthodontist uses a special UV light to cure the adhesive, which hardens it and secures the brackets to the teeth. You’re halfway through having your braces installed.

Attaching the Archwire

The orthodontist then threads the archwire through each bracket. The wire is what applies pressure to the teeth and guides their movement.

Securing the Wire

Finally, the wire is secured using elastic bands or small metal ties. These can be colored, offering a way to personalize the look of the braces and also hold the wire in place. Read more: What Do Rubber Bands Do For Braces

Final Adjustments

The orthodontist makes any necessary adjustments to the wire tension and checks the overall placement of the braces to ensure everything is set correctly for effective treatment.

This entire procedure is typically painless but can cause some pressure and minor discomfort as the teeth begin to move. The process usually takes about one to two hours, depending on the complexity of the case and the type of braces being installed. 

Different Components per Type of Braces

Braces come in various types, each with unique components tailored to specific orthodontic needs. Here’s a breakdown of the different components for each type of braces:

Traditional Metal Braces

• Brackets: Made of high-grade stainless steel, attached to each tooth using a special dental adhesive.
• Archwire: A thin metal wire that runs through each bracket, applying pressure to guide teeth into position.
• Ligature Elastic (Rubber Bands): Small colored bands that hold the archwire to the brackets. They can be changed during adjustment visits.
• Bands: Sometimes, metal bands are wrapped around the molars to provide additional support for the brackets.

Ceramic Braces

• Ceramic Brackets: Similar to metal brackets but made from a ceramic material that blends in with the color of the teeth, making them less visible.
• Archwire: Often tooth-colored or clear to further reduce visibility.
• Ligature Elastics: Usually clear or tooth-colored, these elastics hold the archwire to the brackets.

Lingual Braces

• Lingual Brackets: Custom-made from metal and attached to the back side of the teeth, making them invisible from the front.
• Archwires: Customized to match the shape of the back of the teeth.
• Ligature Elastics: Used to hold the archwire in place, these are also on the inside and not visible from the outside.

Self-Ligating Braces

• Self-Ligating Brackets: Made from metal or ceramic, these brackets have a built-in clip that holds the archwire, eliminating the need for ligature elastics.
• Archwire: Similar to those used in traditional and ceramic braces but interacts differently with the self-ligating brackets for potentially quicker adjustments.

Clear Aligners (e.g., Invisalign)

• Aligner Trays: Custom-made, clear plastic trays that fit over the teeth, gently pushing them into the correct position over time.
• Attachment: Depending on the case, small tooth-colored attachments might be placed on the teeth to help the aligners grip and move the teeth more effectively.

Hybrid Braces

• Combination of Components: Hybrid systems might combine elements from different types of braces. For example, using ceramic brackets on the most visible teeth and traditional metal brackets on others.

What to Expect After Having Braces Placed

After having braces placed, you’re likely to experience a mix of sensations and changes as you adjust. Initially, you may feel general discomfort or soreness in your teeth and gums because the braces begin applying pressure to move your teeth. This discomfort is typical and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

Eating might also feel different as your teeth could be tender; sticking to soft foods and liquids like soups, smoothies, yogurt, and mashed potatoes can help during this period.

Oral hygiene will become more challenging due to the brackets and wires, so it’s essential to use a soft-bristled toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, and tools such as orthodontic flossers or water flossers to effectively clean around the braces.

You might also notice an increase in saliva production initially, but this will subside as you get used to the braces. The brackets and wires can cause irritation inside your lips and cheeks, but applying orthodontic wax to the brackets can help reduce this.

Some people experience slight changes in their speech, particularly with lingual braces. However, this generally improves as you adapt to the braces. You’ll need to visit your orthodontist regularly for adjustments, about every 4-6 weeks, to ensure your teeth are moving as planned and to make any necessary adjustments.

While you might feel self-conscious about the appearance of your braces, especially if they are traditional metal, many people quickly adjust and even gain confidence from seeing improvements in their smile.

Maintaining open communication with your orthodontist and following their recommendations will help you manage the braces effectively, and soon, the initial discomfort will diminish, making the entire experience more comfortable.

What Will Change Once You Wear Braces

Once you start wearing braces, several changes will occur in your daily life, primarily revolving around dental care, eating habits, and a bit in your appearance and sensations. These changes are all part of the process to achieve a better-aligned and healthier smile.

Dental Care: Oral hygiene becomes more critical and also more time-consuming with braces. You’ll need to brush after every meal to ensure no food particles are stuck in your braces. Flossing is also essential but more challenging, requiring special flossers designed for braces. Regular dental check-ups and cleanings become even more crucial to prevent issues like cavities and gum disease.

Eating Habits: You’ll need to adjust your diet to avoid foods that could damage your braces. Hard, sticky, and chewy foods are typically off-limits because they can break wires and brackets or become stuck, leading to potential dental problems.

Soft foods for the first week, and you might also find that you need to cut your food into smaller pieces to make chewing easier. Read more: What To Eat With Braces The First Week

Physical Sensations: Initially, you may experience discomfort or soreness as your teeth begin to shift. This feeling usually subsides after the first few weeks, but it can recur briefly after each adjustment appointment. The inside of your mouth might feel irritated as it gets used to the braces, but dental wax can help ease this.

Aesthetic Changes: Braces are visible when you talk or smile, which can affect how you feel about your appearance. Some people might feel self-conscious initially, but many also feel more confident knowing that they are on the path to improving their smile.

Speech Adjustments: Some people find that their speech is slightly altered when they first get braces, especially with lingual braces which are placed on the back of the teeth. This usually improves quickly as you adapt to the braces.

These changes require adjustments and a bit of patience, but the end result—a healthier, more aligned smile—is well worth the effort.

Foods to Avoid While Wearing Braces

While wearing braces, avoid hard, sticky, and chewy foods. Specifically, steer clear of popcorn, nuts, hard candies, gum, and chewy candy like caramel. Also, crunchy foods such as apples and carrots should be cut into small pieces.

Foods that require biting into, like corn on the cob, should be avoided unless the kernels are removed from the cob.

These foods can damage braces by bending wires or breaking brackets, leading to unplanned dental visits and potentially prolonging your treatment.

Read more: What Candy Can You Eat With Braces

What Are the Reasons to Get Braces?

Getting braces can significantly benefit both dental health and personal confidence. They are primarily used to correct crooked or overcrowded teeth, enhancing the overall appearance and making it easier to maintain good oral hygiene.

Braces also correct various bite issues, such as underbites, overbites, and crossbites, which can lead to improved eating and speaking functions. Additionally, straight teeth can reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease.

Beyond health benefits, achieving a straighter smile can boost self-esteem and improve social interactions. Furthermore, proper alignment prevents undue stress on jaw muscles and joints, helping to avoid long-term issues like TMJ disorders.

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