Those who have been in braces for 3 years or more

[prairiehouse]

It seems like many people are in braces for 2 or fewer years, some up to 3 years, but not very often more than that.

I have question for those of you have been, or are projected to be in braces for 3 years or more. Was this the initial projection given to you by your orthodontist? Or were you originally given a shorter estimation, and then they kept on adding additional months during subsequent visits? Or was the additional treatment time given in years beyond what your original plan was?

What was the cause of your extended stay in braces? How long have you been in them?


Thanks. I'm just interested in knowing these stories.

[Nozzelnut]

Not me but a guy I worked with had braces for 17 years!

From age 5 to 22. He did have a cleft palate. Not sure why they started so young though.

[prairiehouse]

Oh, you've reminded me. I don't mean for those that had braces for years as a teenager, but if you started as an adult, say 18 and over. It seems like teens might on average have a longer stay in braces.

[lambchop]

My original estimate was 18-24 months, which seems to be the norm, at least according to many posters here. I am currently 37 months in, and growing a bit anxious, lol. I had a sizeable overbite and overjet, and much overcrowding on top, but never really noticed any issues with my bite. I had two top pre-molar extractions before being braced, and it took forever for these gaps to close. When they finally did, I developed two new gaps, in front of my canines. These also took forever to close; in fact, as recently as last month! (The ortho said I have dense bone, but I'm not sure if he's just making stuff up now!) I haven't worn elastics in several months, so that's good, and I've been going in every two to three weeks for adjustments. I thought I might get a debracing date at my last appointment, but he decided he didn't like how two teeth were looking, so he repositioned two brackets. I'm still in a double powerchain on top, but my last molars aren't tied in to anything, hoping to get them to settle and improve my bite. My bite is slowly improving, but still feels a little wonky. I'm hoping things settle out, as I'm told they will after getting these things off. They've been paid for for over a year, so I know the ortho will be glad to be done with me, too. I'm hoping he's just being a perfectionist, lol. Honestly, it's the people I work with who are driving me insane..my husband has been very patient, just asking after every adjustment if there's any good news. The folks at work pester me every other day, asking when they're coming off, what's taking so long, why didn't I go to her daughter's ortho....argh!

[JumpTheDitch]

Estimated 'about' 3 years. Second round of braces to 'undo' retraction following extractions to treat overjet. Such a long process as we had to re-open the extraction spaces (with a fixed expander), stabilise the expansion, then start the 3 year braces journey (this all after splinting the retracted mandible with a TMJ splint for 4 months!). Once my bicuspids have finished dragging forward to join the front six teeth, the molars all have to come forward one-by-one to close up the extraction gaps (instead of implants). The molars also need to be super-erupted to replace the current molar build-ups, and prevent the over-closing of the jaw. Molars are multi-rooted (unlike the front teeth), so it's a slow process. Once I hope will return my 'normal' jaw function and 'undo' some of the damage my first round of braces caused.

[LeedsTiger]

My experience sounds similar to lambchop. An original estimate of 18-24 months and I am now at 41 months treatment time (next appointment is this Wednesday actually). I had mild overcrowding of the lower incisors - not attractive to look at and the real driver for me to investigate the possibility of adult orthodontic treatment. Of course during my online research I learned what an overbite and an overjet was, subsequently realising that I also suffered from those conditions. I believe my overbite was 5mm at the beginning of my treatment. Also similar to you I had the first upper premolar (on both sides) extracted to create the space for my upper teeth to be retracted.

Now I look back with regret knowing that I didn't ask my orthodontist the correct questions at the outset. I think my case is complicated because I have wisdom teeth on the right side of my jaw only (not due to wisdom teeth being extracted on the left side, they just never grew there). Perhaps I also haven't been sufficiently strident with my ortho when enquiring about my overall progress. I still think there's a way to go yet :(

[ejverx]

I was estimated 12 months at aged 18 and they ended up on for 3 years because they kept finding more hidden problems!

[Davidlusive]

I'm doing only 6 month smile

[razorz20138aA]

[quote="Nozzelnut"]Not me but a guy I worked with had braces for[b][i][u] 17 [/u][/i][/b] years!

From age 5 to 22. He did have a cleft palate. Not sure why they started so young though.[/quote]
17 years wow!

[smiley1011]

To jumptheditch, I am not sure you are still active and cannot send a pm yet. I was wondering what your final results are? I have a consult for my son to get the FAGGA appliance which is very much like the CD advancer, maybe the same. I was wondering if you are pleased with your smile and if you had any facial changes? Desperate for answers. I am a mom whose sons face was ruined by braces.