How long do braces take?
Last updated September 3, 2026.
Usually 18 to 24 months for fixed braces, plus a retainer afterward. NHS inform says good results typically arrive within 18 to 24 months of starting treatment when appliances are worn as instructed, and the NHS braces page says fixed braces stay on for 1 to 2 years. Adjustment appointments run every 6 to 8 weeks, and each one reactivates the movement. What stretches the timeline: missed appointments, broken brackets, not wearing elastics, and poor cleaning that forces pauses. What comes after matters as much: retainers hold the teeth while the surrounding gum and bone adjust to their new positions, and without them teeth drift back.
What to do
- Keep every 6 to 8 week adjustment; rescheduling pushes the finish line out.
- Wear elastics exactly as prescribed if you are given them.
- Protect the brackets: no hard sweets, crusty bread, or biting into whole apples.
- Brush around the brackets carefully so treatment is not paused for gum problems.
- Commit to the retainer before you start; it is the second half of treatment.
Related questions
- Why are my teeth sensitive?
- Why do I get mouth ulcers so often?
- Why is my bite off after the dentist?
- Why do I get a dry mouth at night?