Most fixed braces stay on for about one and a half to two years. This guide explains what the research found and why your own timeline may differ.
Key points
- Fixed braces usually stay on for 18 to 24 months, and NHS patient information gives one to two years.23
- The problem itself, your age, your cooperation, the plan and how your teeth respond all affect the length.
- For most people the type of fixed brace makes little difference to the length of treatment.2
- Treatment does not end when the brackets are removed. A retainer is needed, because teeth tend to move back without one.
- Be careful with claims of much faster treatment, and ask your orthodontist for a range and the reasons behind it.
The most common question at a braces consultation is "how long?" The honest answer is a range, because teeth differ. Here is what is known.
The usual length of treatment
Fixed braces usually stay on for 18 to 24 months.2 NHS patient information gives one to two years.3 In a review of 22 studies, the average length was 19.9 months, so a little under two years, and in five studies the average was about 18 visits in total.1 You come back every six to eight weeks to have the braces adjusted.3
These are averages. Some people finish in a year, and some need longer, particularly if the problem is complex.
What makes treatment shorter or longer
The problem itself. Mild crowding or spacing takes less time than severe crowding, a large overbite or an underbite, or a case where teeth must be taken out first.
Your age. Teeth can move at any age, but treatment in teenagers and in adults is planned differently.
Your cooperation. Keeping appointments, wearing elastics if they are prescribed, cleaning well and avoiding breakages all help treatment keep to schedule. Missed visits and breakages can add to the length.
The plan. Some plans have stages, for instance with a preliminary phase to correct growth, or extra appliances.
How your teeth respond. Some teeth move readily and others do not. This is not something you can control.
Is the type of brace important?
For most people, the type of fixed brace makes little difference to length. The British Orthodontic Society says that ceramic fixed appliances can be as effective as conventional ones at moving teeth, and that there is no evidence that self-ligating brackets produce a better result.2 In one network meta-analysis, alignment was about 10 days faster with active clips, but total treatment time was no different.7 Our guide to choosing a type of brace explains the options.
How long do aligners take?
Aligners are removable trays worn day and night except at meals.4 A review found no difference in treatment duration between aligners and braces, and another found shorter treatment and less chair time in mild to moderate cases.56 Aligners suit mild to moderate problems; for more complex ones braces or additional techniques may be needed. Our page on clear aligners describes the process.
What happens after the braces come off
Treatment does not end when the brackets are removed. All fixed brace treatment is followed by a retainer, because teeth tend to move back without one.2 The retainer phase is long, often years, so plan for it. See our article on why wear retainers after orthodontic treatment.
Can treatment be speeded up?
Be careful with claims. Some products and procedures promise much faster treatment, but evidence is often limited. Practical things that help are:
- keeping every appointment;
- cleaning well, so you do not need to pause for gum or decay problems;
- avoiding hard and sticky food that breaks brackets;
- wearing elastics or other appliances exactly as directed;
- telling the clinic about any breakage straight away.
How to get a realistic idea of timing
At your assessment, ask:
- How long do you expect my treatment to take, and why?
- How many visits will I need?
- What might make it longer?
- What happens if the plan needs to change?
- How long will I wear retainers afterwards?
A careful orthodontist gives a range and explains the reasons, rather than a single number.
Planning around your life
If you have a wedding, exam or move in the next year, tell your orthodontist, because it may affect the plan. If you travel often, ask how appointments can be arranged. Our pages on braces for adults and braces for kids explain how timing differs by age.
Reading your own treatment plan
When you receive a plan, look for four things: the expected length, the number of visits, the stages and what happens after the braces. A good plan gives a range, and it explains what could change it. If your plan says nothing about retention, ask.
Questions about age
Children and teenagers. Braces are often recommended once all the adult teeth have come through.3 Timing is planned around growth, and some young patients have a first stage earlier.
Adults. Braces are not only for children and teenagers.3 Adult teeth can move, though some adults need extra attention to gum health, earlier dental work and bone.
When treatment seems to stall
Sometimes progress slows, and it is not always a cause for worry. Common reasons include a tooth that is slow to respond, a wire that needs changing to a different thickness or an appliance that has broken. Do not hesitate to ask your orthodontist what is happening and what the next step will be.
A realistic mindset
Braces are a long project with many small steps. People who do well tend to treat the treatment as a partnership: they attend appointments, clean well, report problems promptly and wear retainers afterwards. If you do, the timeline is more likely to match the plan.
A summary of what affects timing
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Mild problem | Often shorter |
| Severe crowding or bite problem | Often longer |
| Extractions in the plan | Extra phase to close spaces |
| Breakages and missed visits | Can add time |
| Good cleaning and cooperation | Helps keep to schedule |
What a typical year of braces looks like
If treatment lasts about two years, it can help to picture the rhythm.
| Period | What usually happens |
|---|---|
| Fitting | Brackets bonded, wire placed, a few sore days |
| Early months | Thin wires level and align the teeth, with visits about every six to eight weeks3 |
| Middle months | Thicker wires and elastics, if needed, work on the bite |
| Later months | Fine adjustments and bite checks |
| Removal | Brackets taken off, teeth polished, retainers fitted |
The visits are short, and most of the work happens between them, so how you look after the braces matters. If you are due for a long journey, an exam or a wedding, tell the clinic early, because small changes to the schedule are easier to plan in advance.
The retainer phase
After the braces come off, the retainer phase begins, and it is a long one. Retainers are usually worn full-time at first and then at night, as your orthodontist advises, and many people wear them for years.2 This is not a sign that treatment has failed. Teeth tend to move back without a retainer, so wearing it as directed protects the result.
Ask what kind of retainer you will have, how to clean it, what to do if it breaks or no longer fits and how often you should have it checked. Bring it to your check-ups.
Staying motivated for a long project
Treatment can feel slow, so small habits help.
- Take a photograph each month, so you can see the change that is hard to notice day to day.
- Link cleaning to something you already do, such as after lunch or before bed.
- Keep a small kit with your toothbrush, interdental brushes and wax in your bag.
- Write the date of your next appointment where you will see it.
- Ask your orthodontist what has changed at each visit, and what comes next.
People who treat braces as a partnership with the clinic tend to finish on schedule.
Frequently asked questions
Can braces be done in six months?
Some very mild problems can be, but most fixed braces take 18 to 24 months.2
Why is my treatment taking longer than first said?
Teeth may respond more slowly than expected, brackets may have come off or appointments may have been missed. Ask your orthodontist to explain.
Do adults take longer than teenagers?
Not necessarily. The problem, the plan and your cooperation matter more than age alone.
How long will I wear a retainer?
Your orthodontist will advise. Teeth tend to move back without one, so it is usually a long period.2
Does it matter which month I start?
Not for the teeth. It can matter for your plans, for example exams or events, so mention these at the consultation.
Do braces take longer if I have teeth removed?
Extractions are part of the plan for some people, and closing the spaces is a phase of treatment, so they can affect the timeline.
How many visits will I have?
In five studies the average was about 18 visits in total, but your own number depends on your plan.1
Can braces be taken off early?
Sometimes treatment finishes sooner than planned if the teeth move well, but braces should only come off when your orthodontist agrees the teeth are in position. Removing them too soon can leave the result incomplete.
Do adults need braces for longer than teenagers?
Not necessarily. Adult teeth can move, but plans differ, and some adults need extra steps. Your orthodontist can give a range for your own case.3
About the author
Dr Anupam Sinha, BDS, MDS – Orthodontics. BDS (2002), KLE Vishwanath Katti Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum. MDS in Orthodontics (2006), SDM College of Dental Sciences, Dharwad. His thesis work won a national research award in 2005, and he holds a certification in aesthetic dentistry. He sees patients at Orion Dental Clinic in Greater Kailash 1, South Delhi. Read the full profile of Dr Anupam Sinha.
Sources
- Tsichlaki A, Chin SY, Pandis N, Fleming PS. How long does treatment with fixed orthodontic appliances last? A systematic review. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 2016;149(3):308-318. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26926017/
- British Orthodontic Society. Conventional fixed braces (patient information). https://bos.org.uk/conventional/
- NHS website. Braces and orthodontics (patient information). Page review date 29 June 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/orthodontics/
- British Orthodontic Society. Clear aligners (patient information leaflet). https://www.bos.org.uk/Public-Patients/Patient-Information-Leaflets/Clear-Aligners
- Papageorgiou SN, Koletsi D, Iliadi A, Peltomaki T, Eliades T. Treatment outcome with orthodontic aligners and fixed appliances: a systematic review with meta-analyses. European Journal of Orthodontics, 2020;42(3):331-343. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31758191/
- Zheng M, Liu R, Ni Z, Yu Z. Efficiency, effectiveness and treatment stability of clear aligners: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Orthodontics and Craniofacial Research, 2017;20(3):127-133. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28547915/
- Maizeray R, Wagner D, Lefebvre F, Lévy-Bénichou H, Bolender Y. Is there any difference between conventional, passive and active self-ligating brackets? A systematic review and network meta-analysis. International Orthodontics, 2021;19(4):523-538. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34629309/
Medically reviewed by Dr Anupam Sinha, BDS, MDS – Orthodontics, on . General information for patients from Orion Dental Clinic, last updated 23 October 2026. It is not advice for one person, so ask a dentist what suits you. To report an error, contact us.