It’s hard to be determined when orthodontic treatment starts. Providing orthodontic treatment while a child is growing helps produce optimal results. However, children aren’t the only ones who can benefit from orthodontics. If you’re an adult, it’s not too late to correct problems such as crooked or crowded teeth, overbites, underbites, incorrect jaw position, or jaw-joint disorders. The biological process involved in moving teeth is the same at any age. No matter your age, it’s never too late to improve your dental health and beautify your smile. Just regular dental examinations are important.

Braces (also called orthodontic appliances) can be as inconspicuous—or as noticeable—as you like. Brackets—the part of the braces that attach to each tooth—are smaller and can sometimes be attached to the back of the tooth, making the brackets less noticeable.

Brackets may be made of metal, ceramic, plastic or a combination of these materials. Some brackets are clear or tooth-colored. There are brackets shaped like hearts and footballs, and elastics (orthodontic rubber bands) in school colors or holiday hues such as red, white and blue. And there are gold-plated braces and glow-in-the-dark retainers.

Although treatment plans are customized for each patient, most wear their braces from one to three years; depending on what conditions need correcting. This is followed by a period of wearing a “retainer” that holds teeth in their new positions. Although a little discomfort is expected during treatment, today’s braces are more comfortable than ever before. Newer materials apply a constant, gentle force to move teeth and usually require fewer adjustments.

It is hard to answer simply as there are varying variables in operation. Typically, each implant takes 30 minutes. But if you need a bone graft or any other aid, the surgery will take more time. The entire treatment period is 4~7 months from the first surgery of placing the prosthetic teeth. Depending on the bone condition, it may take more than 1 year.