The duration of active orthodontic treatment depends on the severity of the orthodontic problem, the type of treatment provided and the patient compliance with the treatment. It may last from 6 months to 30 months. Average orthodontic treatment duration is about 18-24 months.
Patients are seen for regular orthodontic visits every 6-8 weeks to check the treatment progress, make adjustment to facilitate tooth movement and monitor oral hygiene.
Once the active orthodontic treatment finishes, patients are required to wear retainers, which are passive orthodontic appliances, to stabilize the treatment results. Retention protocol is case specific and must be adhered completely for stable results. In our office we provide retainer check appointments for one year following the removal of braces in order to check the compliance with retainers and the stability of treatment results.