How do I know if braces are working? (2023)

Is it possible for braces not to work?

Not Following Treatment Recommendations

If a patient is eating the wrong foods and regularly breaking the wire, their braces won't work until the wire can be repaired. During this time, teeth can move back to their old position and some of the hard work is lost.

The most common reason as to why braces have a hard time closing some gaps is because of the size, shape, or position of the teeth. A tooth may be too small to properly fill a space between two normally sized teeth. In this circumstance, it's recommended that the tooth is resized and reshaped in order to fill the gap.

How Long do Braces Take to Work? Results will vary depending on many factors such as bone density, misalignment severity, and even the age of the patient. However, you will generally start to notice changes within four to six weeks. Within a few months, others may notice that your braces are starting to be effective.

Braces No Longer Hurting – Have They Stopped Working? As the body adjusts, a person might not notice the braces too much. When the braces shift the alignment of teeth and jaw; the pain persists for just a few days. But once the discomfort is gone, it does not mean the braces are no longer working.

“The most common cause of crooked teeth after braces is not wearing a retainer as directed,” Songco says. “Dental aligners can help fix this problem if you are a good candidate, meaning the misalignment of the teeth is not too severe.”

“How do I know if my braces are working?” The short answer is that if your teeth are experiencing any discomfort at all, your braces are working. Although discomfort disappears a few days after every adjustment or Invisalign tray change, the shifting of your teeth is a sign that your braces are working.

Your orthodontist needs to regularly adjust your braces in order for them to continue to place the correct pressure on your teeth. Your elastics need changing at each appointment, and your wires may need to be replaced, adjusted or tightened.

There's even a condition called ankylosis where some teeth refuse to move at all. Unfortunately, factors like this aren't something you or your orthodontist can control.

Once your braces are attached to your teeth, there is an adjustment period of about 3-7 days. During that time, you may have difficulty speaking around your braces and closing your lips completely. You may also experience soreness in your cheeks, gums and teeth.

Is there any way to speed up the braces process?

The first way that orthodontic treatment can be accelerated is through the use of low-level laser. With this method, a very low intensity medical laser is used to recruit cells that are responsible for moving teeth. It results in faster turnover of bone, which causes healthy acceleration of tooth movement.

During your first week with braces, you may experience some irritation on the inside of your lips and cheeks. Your mouth will toughen up and after a while, your brackets and wires won't bother you anymore. During the acclimation period, you can relieve the irritation with a salt water rinse.

They should all be touching each other with no overlapping or spacing between them. The upper arch is harder for patients to see, but it should also be well aligned with no spaces or overlapping. The most difficult view for patients to see is the one from the side.

The thing is, soreness after routine appointments is actually a sign that your braces are working. The new wires guide your teeth into their planned positions, gradually working toward a straight smile. Each patient experiences the post-tightening soreness a little differently – and some don't even notice discomfort.

Typically, the lateral incisors or the teeth next to your front teeth are the most challenging to move with Invisalign aligners and traditional braces.

While the average time most people have to wear their braces is between 18 to 24 months, the timeline can vary depending on your unique dental needs.

By the end of the first month, you may see your teeth have moved slightly. From there, each time you get your braces adjusted, your teeth will move just a little more. After several months, there will be significant movement, and people you know may notice your teeth moving.

The third and final phase of orthodontic treatment is the retention phase. This phase occurs once the teeth have moved into the desired position and the use of the dental appliance ceases.

While some people may notice a difference in as little as one month, most will not see any change for three to four months. Some people may never notice a difference until their braces are removed.

What are the stages of braces wires?

There are three general stages of braces and Invisalign treatment: the planning stage, the active stage, and the retention stage. All three phases are super important.

The initial wires used during your brace treatment are thin and gentle in order to achieve initial alignment and correct crowding and rotations (teeth which are crooked or twisted). It's often during this phase of treatment where you will see the biggest changes in your smile.

Speeding up your orthodontic treatment can be done through the use of high-frequency vibrations. High-frequency vibrations can help recruit cells responsible for tooth movement to help get your teeth in place faster. The major benefit is that patients can do this at home.

You should expect to notice minor shifts in your teeth approximately 4 weeks from after bonding. Greater shifts that are more visible require more time as they become noticeable after approximately 2-3 months. The short answer to the question of whether braces move your teeth everyday is yes.