How Long Does Orthodontic Treatment Take?

ByDr.O Reading Time: 6 minutes
How Long Does Orthodontic Treatment Take? | Othman Orthodontics in Lombard & Orland Park, IL

How Long Does Orthodontic Treatment Take?

One of the first questions patients ask us is, “How long will I have to be in braces or Invisalign?” It’s an important question—orthodontic treatment is a big commitment of time, effort and resources.

At Othman Orthodontics, with locations in Lombard, IL and Orland Park, IL, we create customized treatment plans for each patient. While no two smiles are exactly alike, there are some general timelines and factors that influence how long orthodontic treatment takes.

In this guide, we’ll explain:

  • Typical treatment times for braces and Invisalign
  • What affects how long treatment takes
  • Differences for children, teens and adults
  • How to avoid delays and keep your treatment on track

Average Treatment Times for Braces and Invisalign

While every patient is unique, most comprehensive orthodontic treatments fall into certain ranges:

Comprehensive Braces (Full Treatment)

For many teens and adults in Lombard and Orland Park, full braces treatment typically lasts:

  • 18–24 months for moderate cases.
  • Sometimes 12–18 months for mild crowding or spacing.
  • Up to 24–30 months or more for more complex bite problems.

This applies to different types of braces, including:

Invisalign Treatment

For many patients, Invisalign treatment times are similar to braces:

  • 12–18 months for mild to moderate alignment issues.
  • 18–24 months for more complex cases.

Treatment can be shorter or longer depending on how many aligners are needed and how consistently they’re worn (usually 20–22 hours per day).

Phase I / Interceptive Treatment

Interceptive (Phase I) treatment for younger children typically lasts:

  • 6–12 months for simple appliance therapy.
  • 12–18 months for more involved expansion or early alignment.

After Phase I, children usually have a rest period while growth continues, followed later by Phase II treatment (full braces or Invisalign) when all permanent teeth are in.

Surgical Orthodontics

For patients needing surgical orthodontics (orthognathic surgery), total treatment time often falls in the 18–30 month range. Braces or aligners are used before and after surgery to position the teeth properly.

What Factors Affect How Long Orthodontic Treatment Takes?

Several key factors influence the length of your treatment:

1. Complexity of the Case

More complex problems usually require longer treatment. Examples include:

  • Severe crowding or spacing.
  • Significant overbite, underbite or crossbite.
  • Impacted teeth that need to be guided into place.
  • Jaw discrepancies that may require surgery.

Mild alignment issues may be resolved more quickly, while complex bite and jaw problems naturally take more time.

2. Age and Growth

Children and younger teens are still growing, which can be an advantage in many cases. We can:

  • Use growth to help correct bite issues.
  • Guide jaw development with appliances like palatal expanders.

Adults can achieve excellent results as well, but we can’t rely on growth, so certain changes may take longer or require different approaches (including surgical orthodontics in some cases).

3. Type of Treatment

While both braces and Invisalign can be efficient, the best option depends on your case:

  • Braces can treat nearly all types of orthodontic issues, including very complex cases.
  • Invisalign is excellent for many mild to moderate issues and can also address more complex problems when carefully planned and used properly.

In some cases, certain tooth movements may be more predictable with braces; in others, aligners may be equally effective. We’ll explain which option is best for your timing and goals.

4. Patient Cooperation

One of the biggest factors you can control is your own cooperation. Treatment tends to move more smoothly when you:

  • Keep regular appointments.
  • Maintain excellent oral hygiene.
  • Avoid repeatedly breaking brackets and wires.
  • Wear elastics (rubber bands) exactly as instructed.
  • For Invisalign: wear aligners 20–22 hours per day and change them on schedule.

Good cooperation can help keep your treatment within the expected timeframe. Poor cooperation can add months or more.

Braces vs Invisalign: Does One Take Longer?

For many patients in Lombard and Orland Park, braces and Invisalign have similar treatment times, especially for mild to moderate cases. The bigger questions are:

  • Which option best fits your lifestyle?
  • How likely are you (or your child) to wear aligners as directed?
  • How complex is your case clinically?

Braces are always working because they’re fixed to the teeth. Invisalign requires consistent wear to be effective and to stay on schedule. During your orthodontic consultation, we’ll explain whether both options can achieve your goals in a similar timeframe.

Treatment Timelines for Different Age Groups

Children (Phase I and Comprehensive Treatment)

For younger children:

  • Phase I (interceptive) treatment usually lasts 6–18 months.
  • A rest period follows while permanent teeth continue to erupt.
  • Phase II (full braces or Invisalign) later on typically lasts 18–24 months, depending on the case.

The benefit of early care is often that Phase II can be simpler, shorter and more stable.

Teens

Teens are often ideal candidates for both braces and Invisalign Teen. Typical treatment times:

  • 18–24 months for full treatment.
  • Shorter timelines possible for milder concerns.

Compliance with elastics and aligner wear (if using Invisalign Teen) is especially important at this age.

Adults

Adults can achieve beautiful results with:

Adult treatment time is often similar to teens for many cases (18–24 months), though complex or long-standing bite issues may take longer or require surgical orthodontics.

What Can Speed Up or Slow Down Treatment?

Things That Help You Stay on Track

  • Wearing elastics as prescribed.
  • Keeping every scheduled appointment or rescheduling promptly if you must miss one.
  • Maintaining excellent oral hygiene, which helps us avoid treatment pauses for dental issues.
  • Following food guidelines to avoid breaking brackets and wires.
  • For Invisalign: wearing aligners 20–22 hours per day and changing them as directed.

Things That Can Delay Treatment

  • Frequently missed or postponed appointments.
  • Broken brackets, loose bands or bent wires from eating hard or sticky foods.
  • Poor brushing or flossing leading to gum inflammation or cavities.
  • Not wearing elastics consistently.
  • Not wearing Invisalign aligners enough hours per day.

Our team at Othman Orthodontics will coach you through what to do—and what to avoid—to keep your treatment moving smoothly.

What to Expect Month by Month

While every plan is unique, here’s a general idea of how treatment might feel over time:

First Few Visits

  • Initial records and consultation.
  • Placement of braces or delivery of your first series of aligners.
  • Getting used to new appliances, learning how to brush, floss and care for them.

Middle of Treatment

  • Regular adjustments or aligner checkups every 6–10 weeks.
  • Gradual changes in alignment and bite.
  • Occasional use of elastics or additional appliances to fine-tune your bite.

Final Months

  • Fine detailing of tooth positions.
  • Final bite adjustments.
  • Planning for brace removal or completion of aligner series.

Once active treatment is finished, you’ll transition to retainers and life after braces to keep your smile stable.

Serving Lombard, Orland Park & the Surrounding Suburbs

Othman Orthodontics provides braces and Invisalign with personalized treatment timelines for patients in:

Lombard Office

Serving Lombard, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Wheaton, Villa Park, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Hinsdale, Westmont, Lisle, Naperville and nearby communities.

Orland Park Office

Serving Orland Park, Tinley Park, Palos Heights, Palos Park, Homer Glen, Oak Forest, Mokena, Frankfort, New Lenox, Lockport and surrounding areas.

Find Out How Long Your Orthodontic Treatment Will Take

The only way to know your treatment time is to have a personalized evaluation. Contact Othman Orthodontics to schedule an orthodontic consultation in Lombard, IL or an orthodontic consultation in Orland Park, IL.

We’ll examine your teeth and bite, explain your options (braces, Invisalign and more), outline an estimated timeline and help you choose the path to a healthy, confident smile that fits your life.

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