How long does it take to correct teeth?

The technical content of orthodontics is high, the treatment course is long, and the cost of orthodontics is also relatively high. Therefore, orthodontic treatment for dental deformities should be performed by professional oral orthodontists. Only a professional doctor can conduct a comprehensive diagnostic analysis to formulate the most suitable orthodontic plan. The result of orthodontics should be the unity of beauty, coordination, and stability, and not simply the alignment of teeth.

Orthodontics has its own characteristics:

It requires cooperation between the doctor and patient. The force for correction is provided by the orthodontic appliance, and the patient must wear it conscientiously for it to take effect. Especially for patients wearing removable orthodontic appliances, the cooperation between the doctor and patient directly determines the length of the treatment course and the final outcome.

The correction of malocclusion differs from the general treatment of diseases that require injections or medication; it mainly relies on wearing orthodontic appliances inside or outside the mouth to apply appropriate "biological forces" on the teeth, alveolar bone, and jawbone, causing physiological movement, thereby correcting malocclusion.

The treatment course is relatively long. The movement of teeth and jawbones during correction is gradual. During the correction process, the doctor applies appropriate force to the orthodontic appliance, gradually moving the teeth, which makes the treatment course longer, generally around two years, and more complex deformities may take even longer. Patients usually need to revisit the hospital every 3-4 weeks. During revisits, adjustments to the orthodontic appliance are made based on the correction of malocclusion. Frequent revisits for force application in pursuit of "quick tooth straightening" may instead cause periodontal damage, leading to counterproductive results.

Orthodontic treatment has a certain degree of irreversibility, unlike getting glasses where an unsuitable pair can be replaced with another. Especially for those cases involving tooth extraction, if the correction fails, the difficulty of successful re-treatment is very high.

Finally, experts from the Department of Stomatology at the 454th Hospital of the PLA in Nanjing remind you that orthodontic treatment should achieve therapeutic effects while ensuring that the movement of the teeth is as close as possible to a physiological state. This is why orthodontic treatment takes a longer course but benefits the health of oral tissues.

Additionally, it is important to note that orthodontic treatment must be carried out by specialized orthodontists. Attempting corrections without sufficient knowledge can lead to unforeseen serious consequences. There have been many heavy lessons learned in this regard.

If you have any questions about the above content, feel free to consult our online doctors or call 4000-454-678. Our experts will provide you with more detailed and professional answers.