Most patients experience mild tightness or discomfort during the first 2–3 days after braces are placed or adjusted. This is normal and can usually be relieved with over the counter pain medication. The discomfort typically subsides within a few days.

On average, orthodontic treatment takes approximately 18–30 months, depending on the complexity of each case and the patient’s cooperation, such as attending scheduled appointments and maintaining good oral hygiene.e.

Orthodontic treatment can improve facial balance and profile, especially in patients with bite or jaw discrepancies. The extent of change varies depending on the individual’s facial structure and the specific treatment plan.

Not always. Tooth extraction is considered only in specific cases, such as severe crowding, protrusion, or when tooth size is disproportionate to jaw size. Extractions may also be recommended to improve facial profile in cases of excessive dental protrusion. Your orthodontist will carefully evaluate your condition and explain the reasons before proceeding with treatment planning.

Teeth may gradually shift if retainers are not worn as instructed. Wearing a retainer is essential to maintaining long-term results. If a retainer is lost or damaged, it is important to consult your dentist promptly for a new impression and retainer fabrication as soon as possible.

This depends on each patient's pre orthodontic problem. Generally, it should be worn for at least 3-5 years. However, in many cases, if the goal is to maintain the post orthodontic condition permanently, a retainer should be worn for life, albeit with longer intervals between wears, or only at night. After wearing a retainer for more than 5 years, you may consider wearing it only at night, once a week, or once or twice a month for life. It is essential to consult your orthodontist after treatment is complete and maintain consistent retainer use to ensure the longest possible treatment outcome. Patients with a large tongue or gaps between teeth before orthodontic treatment often need to wear a retainer for life to prevent the need for a second round of orthodontic treatment.

Generally, orthodontic treatment usually begins after all baby teeth have fallen out, or around age 10-12.

However, if there are structural abnormalities in the upper or lower jawbone, it may be necessary to stimulate growth for proper and balanced development. In such cases, orthodontic treatment may need to begin in early childhood, around age 6.

But in cases where jaw development is delayed beyond the age of stimulation, orthodontic treatment combined with jaw surgery may be necessary. This may require waiting until an age when facial structure growth has almost ceased.

• For women: Age calculated from the date of onset of menstruation + 5 years.
• For men: 18 years and older.

It is advisable to consult an orthodontist early on if any abnormalities are detected, so that the problems can be addressed promptly.