Extended treatment time

[Johnnyboy]

I haven't posted on here for a long time. It's a year since I first got my braces on for the first time. Yesterday I went for my adjustment and was fitted with top and bottom power chains and new archwires. Originally I was told that my expected treatment time would be about 12 to 14 months, but now she's told me that I should expect to be in braces for another 10 to 12 months. I was really looking forward to getting them off as soon as possible.

[sneed1o1]

Wow! Why such a long extension? I'd be pretty bummed too!

[noodles]

Hi Johnnyboy, this is almost a year more. Did they explain why? But yeah I totally get it why you'd feel disappointed. It's for the better!

[SinkFullOfDinner]

It sucks when they drop that news on you. I can empathize, unfortunately. It seems it's not that unusual with adults. Even my general dentist told me to not be surprised if it took longer than initially expected, and despite the warning I still had a "what did you just say?!!" response. If it helps give you a little schadenfreude mood boost, at least you'll still hopefully wrap up around the 2yr mark, while my overtime started at the 2yr mark. Think of it as an opportunity to try out everything on the powerchain color palette (that's called giving advise that I'm too chicken to follow myself!). If that doesn't make you feel better, then consider that you'll smile more naturally and take better holiday photos the second time around. Still not feeling better? I better stop then. Good luck.

[Johnnyboy]

She didn't really give me a reason for the extended time? I thought that my teeth were looking pretty good and would be more than happy as they are now. Since having having my new wires and power chains I definitely know it! At my next adjustment I'm going to ask why there's been such a extended treatment time.

[maryedenissa]

My orthodontist said the treatment will be for over a year. But i said to myself, expect it to be doubled.

[Beckett]

Even if your teeth look great there can still be bite issues that need adjusting and that usually takes much longer than making things pretty. I'd say mine have looked great since about 6-8 months in and I'm getting close to the 18 month mark and still having fine tuning tweaks done. These last appointments last a lot longer than my beginning ones, tugging the wire out just far enough to put some creative bends, examining my bite alignment very closely with a tiny mirror, even using a Sharpie on some teeth edges to watch how they touch...this is the artistic stage.