How accurate is the treatment time the ortho tells you?

[umdylan]

I had my first orthodontic consultation today. According to the orthodontist: Class 1 malocclusion, 4 gaps total in front top teeth and incisors, and my midline is off by 2 mm.

They told me treatment is going to take 12 - 16 months. Do you think this is an accurate treatment time? For people who've gotten braces, did the treatment time match when you got them off?

Also, how is a midline corrected? Rubber bands?

[Tyrantblade]

Theres no telling until you have had braces for a while as sometimes teeth move faster or slower than normal.

Midlines can probably be fixed a number of different ways, elastics being one of them.

[Welshrarebit]

At my consultation I was told 18 months. At my fitting I was told 2 years. At my first adjustment I was told 2.5 years +/- 6 months.
So I think the time is hard to predict, maybe because it depends on the individual receiving treatment as well as the orthodontist conducting it, and the method they use.

[testimony777]

I began as an open bite case, with an overbite, four gaps to close on the top and slight crowding as well as a slightly rotated tooth on the bottom. At my consultation I was told 24 mos. After my first adjustment, the time was changed to 18 mos. At my last adjustment (which was my third) the time was not officially changed but both my orthodontist and her assistant commented several times about how fast my teeth were moving and mentioned that I would likely be out of braces sooner than predicted. For comparison, my husband had severe crowding and had to have four extractions. He was initially quoted 24 mos. as well. He has been in braces now for over three years and the end is not in sight. Our orthodontist said there is a good chance I will be out of braces before him ; his teeth are extremely stubborn .

[djspeece]

I think it's an educated guess based on your skeletal and dental issues, overall health, sex, and age. What they don't know of course is your physiology/biology or how you will respond to braces. I had a two year estimate that stretched to three because of a couple of reluctant gaps. I know I have very dense bones -- when I was in Officer Indoctrination School for the Navy back in the day, I sank like a rock when they asked us to float during the swim test (which I had passed with flying colors). Same in the ocean! And the whole remodeling process takes longer with dense bones. Also, I think I recall reading that older patients require longer -- and I am 65. On a positive note, I am hoping that this reluctance of tooth movement will help keep things in order now that I am debraced and using a Vivera retainer.

[SinkFullOfDinner]

If Vegas offered odds, I'd bet the "over."

My dentist claims that most of her adult patients tend to run longer than original estimate, and it sure seems like there are more posters here that go over rather than under. Personally, it looks like it will be "over" as well, but hopefully not by much.

[angelina]

I'm not an expert however I guess I just assumed they look at how difficult our case may be and make an estimate from there - and it's how compliant we are and how our individual mouth responds can throw it out. I have heard that children's teeth move much faster, and now that my son has broken his wrist I've also learned they heal and move much faster with a lot of things because their bones are still growing.

I'm in my 30's and on round 2 of braces, had them as a young teen, and they're moving much faster this time around and I suspect it's mostly because I'm complying with elastic-wearing and keeping my teeth clean. I'm looking to have them off well before my estimate if things keep progressing this smoothly, I only have a few appointments left and I've only had them on for 10 months and was told 18-24 months as an estimate.

[metalliKa]

Each case varies. And remember, the timeline your ortho gave you is only an estimate. Your treatment may finish early, on time, or get extended depending on many factors. For me personally, I was quoted 12-15 months and I finished in 14 months.

The only thing I found accurate throughout my braces journey is the payment!

[SinkFullOfDinner]

The only thing I found accurate throughout my braces journey is the payment!

@metallika, that's hilarious.

The other thing that's predictable is being the oldest kid in the chairs.

[Felina Grimm]

In the office I go to, even payment isn't predictable. You have six months past your estimated treatment time to finish treatment. If you don't, you have to keep paying until you're done. The ortho originally said I was going to finish early. But due to two stubborn right canines, I'm going past my estimated time.

[mmkay]

In the office I go to, even payment isn't predictable. You have six months past your estimated treatment time to finish treatment. If you don't, you have to keep paying until you're done.

Well that's BS.

I'm rather over time...but I am philosophical. Starting position was a shocker. Just happy the ortho isn't rushing to deband given the time overrun.