Getting braces is a multi-step process that starts with a consultation, moves through diagnostics and treatment planning, and ends with a bonding appointment where the brackets are actually placed on your teeth. The whole journey from first phone call to braces on your teeth typically takes two to four weeks, though it can be faster or slower depending on your case. Here’s what each step looks like.
The Consultation Visit
Your first appointment is mostly about gathering information. You’ll fill out paperwork covering your medical and dental history, then meet the orthodontist for an exam of your teeth, jaws, and bite. They’re looking for crowding, misalignment, gaps, and how your upper and lower teeth fit together.
To get a full picture, the orthodontist uses several diagnostic tools. X-rays show the position of your tooth roots and jawbone structure. Photos of your face and teeth help with treatment planning and give a baseline to measure progress later. You’ll also get impressions of your teeth, either traditional molds or a digital scan, which create a 3D model the orthodontist uses to map out how your teeth need to move.
After the exam, the orthodontist walks you through what they found, what type of treatment they recommend, how long it should take, and what to expect. You’ll also have a financial consultation covering cost, insurance, and payment plans. If you’re ready to move forward, the next appointment gets scheduled right then.
Who Needs Braces
Braces correct problems with how your teeth are aligned and how your bite fits together. The most common issues include crowded or overlapping teeth, teeth that stick out too far forward, gaps between teeth, and crossbites where upper and lower teeth don’t line up properly. Orthodontists classify bite problems into three categories based on how your back molars meet: a normal molar relationship with crowding or protrusion in front, an upper jaw that sits too far forward relative to the lower jaw, or a lower jaw that juts out past the upper jaw. Each type calls for a different treatment approach.
You don’t need a referral from a dentist to see an orthodontist, though many people get one. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7, but braces work at any age.
Children vs. Adults
Kids between 8 and 14 have a biological advantage: their teeth and jaws are still developing, so braces can guide teeth into position as they grow. This generally means less force, less discomfort, and shorter treatment times. Children’s braces typically take 18 to 24 months.
Adults can absolutely get braces, but the process takes longer because fully developed teeth are harder to move. Adult treatment often runs up to 36 months. The pressure needed to shift adult teeth is higher, which can mean more soreness after adjustments. None of this makes adult treatment less effective. It just requires more patience.
Types of Braces
- Metal braces are stainless steel brackets bonded to the front of your teeth. They handle every type of orthodontic problem, are the most durable option, and cost the least. The tradeoff is visibility. You can customize them with colored bands. Cost: $3,000 to $6,000.
- Ceramic braces work the same way but use tooth-colored or clear brackets that blend with your teeth. They’re effective for moderate to complex cases and look much less noticeable. The brackets can stain if you’re not careful with cleaning, and they’re more fragile than metal. Cost: $4,000 to $7,000.
- Lingual braces attach to the back of your teeth, making them completely invisible from the outside. They’re custom-fitted for each patient and work for a wide range of cases. They can temporarily affect your speech, are harder to clean, and cost significantly more. Cost: $8,000 to $10,000 or higher.
- Clear aligners (like Invisalign) are removable plastic trays you swap out every one to two weeks. They’re nearly invisible and let you eat without restrictions. They work best for mild to moderate cases. Cost: $3,500 to $7,500.
What Happens at the Bonding Appointment
This is the appointment where your braces actually go on, and it typically takes one to two hours. The process is painless, though it can feel awkward keeping your mouth open for that long.
First, your teeth get a thorough cleaning to remove any plaque or residue that could weaken the bond. The teeth are dried and isolated to keep them free of saliva. Then a dental adhesive is applied to each tooth, and a bracket is carefully positioned on the surface. A blue LED light is used to harden the adhesive within seconds, locking the bracket in place. Once all the brackets are set, the orthodontist threads an archwire through them and secures it with small elastic bands. This wire is what actually applies the pressure to move your teeth.
You won’t feel pain during the appointment itself, but within a few hours your teeth will start to feel sore as they begin responding to the pressure.
Managing Soreness After Placement
The first week is the most uncomfortable. Your teeth will feel tender, especially when chewing, and the brackets and wires may irritate your cheeks and lips. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen help with the soreness. Taking a dose before or right after your appointment can get ahead of the discomfort before it peaks.
Orthodontic wax is your best friend during this adjustment period. If a bracket or wire is rubbing against your cheek, roll a small piece of wax between your fingers to soften it and press it over the problem spot. It creates a smooth barrier that prevents irritation. Most orthodontists send you home with wax after your bonding appointment. Stick to soft foods for the first few days: yogurt, soup, mashed potatoes, smoothies, and pasta. The soreness fades noticeably after the first week, though you’ll experience a milder version of it after each adjustment visit.
How Long Treatment Takes
Most orthodontic treatment falls in the range of 18 to 30 months, depending on the complexity of your case. Straightforward cases with mild crowding can wrap up closer to 18 months. More complex cases involving significant bite correction or severe crowding often take 30 months or longer. Research using a standardized scoring system for case difficulty found that cases scoring above the complexity threshold lasted an average of 30 months, while simpler cases averaged 22 months.
You’ll visit the orthodontist every four to eight weeks for adjustments, where the archwire is tightened or replaced to keep your teeth moving on schedule. Missing or delaying appointments can add months to your treatment time.
Paying for Braces
Many dental insurance plans cover a portion of orthodontic treatment, but the coverage is typically limited. A common structure is a lifetime orthodontic maximum, often in the range of $1,000 to $2,000, which means insurance pays up to that amount and you cover the rest. This is separate from your annual dental maximum, so regular dental work doesn’t eat into your orthodontic benefit. Some plans cover 50% of the cost up to the lifetime cap, while others pay a flat amount.
Most orthodontic offices offer in-house payment plans that let you spread the remaining balance over the course of your treatment with no interest. Health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) can also be used to pay for braces with pre-tax dollars, which effectively saves you 20 to 30 percent depending on your tax bracket. Ask about all of these options during your financial consultation, and check whether your office offers a discount for paying in full upfront.
What Happens After Braces Come Off
Removing braces is quick and painless. The brackets are popped off, the adhesive is cleaned from your teeth, and you’ll likely get a final set of impressions or scans for your retainer. But getting braces off is not the end of treatment. Without a retainer, your teeth will gradually shift back toward their original positions.
It takes up to 12 months for the bone and tissue around your teeth to fully stabilize in their new positions, which is why consistent retainer wear during that first year is critical. There are three main types: removable clear retainers (similar to aligner trays), Hawley retainers (the classic wire-and-plastic design), and fixed retainers (a thin wire bonded behind your front teeth). Research shows that nighttime-only wear of removable retainers is equally effective as full-time wear, so most orthodontists prescribe full-time use for the first few months and then transition to nights only.
Many orthodontists now recommend wearing retainers indefinitely, at least at night, because teeth naturally shift throughout your life. Fixed retainers, which stay bonded behind your teeth permanently, are the most reliable option for preventing long-term relapse since they don’t depend on you remembering to wear them.