“Doctor, how many months?” It is usually the first question after someone decides to get braces, and the most honest answer is a range, not a number. Still, a range based on real data is far more useful than a vague “it depends”.
So how long do braces take? Research on fixed braces puts the average at a little under two years. How long do braces take to straighten teeth in your own case? Your braces duration can be shorter or longer, and a surprising amount of that difference is in your hands. This guide explains the average, what makes treatment run long, why “6 month braces” promises need a closer look, and how to stay on schedule.
How Long Do Braces Take on Average?
The best single number comes from a 2016 systematic review in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics by Tsichlaki and colleagues. It pooled 22 studies with 1,089 patients treated with fixed braces and found an average treatment time of 19.9 months, with an average of about 18 visits.
Two things to keep in mind about that number. First, all the studies were done in university or hospital settings. Second, it is an average, so many patients finish sooner and others take longer. Our own orthodontic treatment page gives a typical range of 12 to 24 months, depending on severity, age and the appliance used.
| Case type | What the time usually depends on |
|---|---|
| Mild crowding or spacing | Often towards the shorter end of the range |
| Moderate crowding, rotated teeth | Close to the average |
| Bite correction (overbite, crossbite) | Often longer, the jaws need to be coordinated |
| Cases needing tooth extraction | Usually longer, the spaces must be closed |
What Happens Month by Month
Knowing the stages also answers part of the question of how long do braces take, because each stage has its own pace.
Braces do not move all your teeth at once in a straight line. Most treatments pass through a few broad stages, and knowing them makes the long middle stretch less frustrating.
Levelling and aligning
Light, flexible wires start untwisting rotated teeth and lining them up. This is when visible changes come fastest, and when the first week of soreness happens. Our guide on whether braces hurt covers that week.
Closing spaces and correcting the bite
Stiffer wires, and often rubber bands between the jaws, close gaps and bring the upper and lower teeth into the right relationship. This is usually the longest stage, and the one where patients feel nothing is happening.
Finishing and detailing
Small adjustments fine-tune each tooth’s position. Then the braces come off and the retainer phase starts.
The retainer phase is not counted in braces duration, but it is part of the deal. Our guide to retainers after orthodontic treatment explains why it matters.
What Makes Braces Take Longer?
If you are asking how long do braces take in your own case, the factors below matter most.
A prospective study of 134 patients, published in The Angle Orthodontist in 2021, tracked which factors were linked to longer treatment. Five stood out:
- Tooth extraction. Patients who needed extractions averaged 28.75 months, compared with 23.92 months for those who did not.
- Not wearing rubber bands as told. Each recorded instance of poor elastic wear was linked to longer treatment.
- Missed appointments. Each missed visit was linked to a longer total time.
- Poor oral hygiene. Problems with cleaning were also linked to longer treatment.
- How severe the problem was at the start. More complex bites took longer.
Three of those five are habits, not biology. That is the encouraging part.
In that study, age and sex were not significant factors, which is good news for adults. Read our guide on adult orthodontic treatment in Kolkata if that is your situation.
Does the Type of Braces Change How Long Braces Take?
Less than most people expect. In the same 134-patient study, bracket type (self-ligating or conventional) was not a significant factor in treatment time. A separate UK randomised trial found 25.12 months for self-ligating brackets and 25.80 months for conventional ones, a difference the authors judged clinically insignificant. Our article on self-ligating braces goes through that evidence.
The choice between metal, ceramic braces, lingual braces and clear aligners is mainly about appearance, comfort and lifestyle. With aligners, though, the time depends heavily on wearing the trays for the hours your orthodontist asks.
What About 6 Month Braces?
You have probably seen offers for “6 month braces” or braces on the front teeth only. These are usually short-term cosmetic treatments that straighten the visible front teeth and do not aim to correct the whole bite.
A 2020 article in Dental Update describes short-term orthodontics as cosmetically motivated, limited treatment, and notes that the six-month claim is a marketing point. In 2015, the UK dental defence organisation MDDUS reported complaints and refund requests from patients whose short-term treatment did not turn out as expected. It advised dentists to explain the limits in writing and to offer conventional orthodontics, which it said usually takes about 18 months to two years, as an alternative.
Our main clinic site has a broader guide to getting braces in Kolkata if you are still comparing options.
5 Habits That Keep You on Schedule
How long do braces take is partly up to you. These five habits help keep treatment on track.
Do not miss adjustment visits
Book the next appointment before you leave the clinic. If you must reschedule, do it within the same week.
Wear rubber bands exactly as told
Elastics only work when they are in. Keep a spare pack in your bag.
Keep your teeth and gums clean
Brush around every bracket and clean between teeth daily. Our main clinic site has practical braces care tips.
Protect your brackets
Avoid hard and sticky foods. A loose bracket stops working on that tooth until it is fixed.
Ask for your progress at each visit
Knowing which stage you are in keeps you motivated through the slow middle months.
References
- Tsichlaki A, Chin SY, Pandis N, Fleming PS. How long does treatment with fixed orthodontic appliances last? A systematic review. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop, 2016.
- Factors influencing treatment efficiency: a prospective cohort study. The Angle Orthodontist, 2021.
- Ismail H-A, Misra S. Short-Term Orthodontics: Reasons for Treatment and their Associated Risks. Dental Update, 2020.
- MDDUS. Manage expectations with orthodontic treatment, 2015.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do braces take on average?
A 2016 systematic review of 22 studies found an average of 19.9 months with fixed braces. At Teeth Care, most treatments fall between 12 and 24 months depending on the case.
How much time do braces take to straighten teeth?
Visible straightening often starts in the first few months, during the alignment stage. Completing the full treatment, including bite correction and finishing, usually takes much longer than that first visible change.
Why are my braces taking longer than expected?
Common reasons include tooth extractions, missed appointments, not wearing rubber bands as instructed, poor oral hygiene and a more complex bite at the start. Ask your orthodontist which stage you are in.
Can braces really work in 6 months?
Short-term treatments usually straighten only the front teeth and do not aim to correct the full bite. For many people, a complete correction takes much longer. Ask exactly what will be corrected before you decide.
Do self-ligating braces finish faster?
Clinical studies have not found a meaningful difference. One UK trial found 25.12 months with self-ligating and 25.80 months with conventional brackets.
Do I need a retainer after braces come off?
Yes. Teeth tend to drift back without one. Your orthodontist will explain how long to wear it and which type suits you.
Also Read
Want to Know Your Own Timeline?
Book an orthodontic consultation at any Teeth Care branch in Kolkata. After examining your teeth, we will give you an estimated treatment time for your case.
Book an AppointmentCall +91 98315 26251Available at our Chinar Park, New Town, Ballygunge, Dunlop and Charnock branches. This article is for general information and does not replace a clinical examination.