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How Long Will I Need Braces? — Free Timeline Estimator
The #1 question anyone asks before getting braces: "How long do I have to wear them?" The average is 18-24 months, but your timeline depends on your particular case, age, type of braces and how complex your dental problems are.
Our timeline estimator provides you with customized estimates based on dental collection information, so you can plan ahead and set practical expectations.
Select your details and click "Estimate" to see your personalized braces timeline.
Average Brace Duration by Issue
- Mild congestion: 6–12 months (fast instances)
- Moderate congestion: 12–18 months (maximum normal condition)
- Gaps / Spacing: 8–14 months (closing gaps is usually faster)
- Overbite: 12–24 months (depends on severity; rubber bands are frequently desired).
- Underbite: 18–30 months (more complicated; may even want surgery in severe cases)
- Crossbite: 12–20 months (may need an expander first)
- Severe crowding: 18–30 months (may require extractions)
Why do adults take longer than adolescents?
Orthodontic treatment for an adult generally takes 6-12 months longer than similar treatment for a teenager. Major motivations:
- Adult bones are denser — teeth flow through the bones, and the person's bones are fully calcified and provide additional resistance against movement.
- No more growth spurts — Teens benefit from natural jaw growth that leads to alignment. Adults do not have this advantage.
- Complications — Adults routinely have additional issues: missing teeth, prior dental work, or gum disease that requires management before or during braces.