Duration of orthodontic treatment

The duration of orthodontic treatment depends on several factors such as :

• the age of the patient;
• the remaining growth (patient’s growth potential);
• the severity of the malocclusion to be treated and the treatment plan; what is the type and complexity of the case (a simple case of anterior tooth alignment will be faster than a complex case requiring jaw surgery, extractions, interventions by other specialists (inter-disciplinary cases), etc.);
• the treatment objectives (is it a complete treatment, compromise, limited,…)? Will all corrections be made or only part of them? Will the treatment correct the entire malocclusion, only one dental arch, only the front, a few teeth, etc.
• the appliances used; some orthodontic appliances are more effective and efficient than others in making certain types of corrections;
• the patient’s cooperation during treatment; the treatment can be excessively long if the patient does not cooperate (wearing elastics, broken devices, oral hygiene, attendance at appointments, etc.);
• Individual variations between patients; teeth, periodontium, musculature, teeth (missing, abnormal teeth etc.), etc.
• the patient’s budget; this will influence the choice of devices, the duration of treatment, the treatment plan and indirectly the duration of treatment. A patient with more limited financial resources may choose a compromise treatment that remains an acceptable option but may take much less time than a full treatment.