What age should Braces be placed The age for correction of alignment differs from case to case, but in general, it is best done after the child has completed 12 years and all the permanent teeth have erupted. Many times early commencement of treatment gives better results, but treatment is possible at an older age also . The length of time it takes to move the teeth to the desired location varies from person to person. The average is from 18 months to 30 months for children and may be longer for adults. The time depends on the difficulty of the case, the amount of room available, the distance the teeth must travel, the cooperativity of the patient and the bone and the age of the patient.
Orthodontists sometimes overcorrect the alignment, anticipating the rebound.
Retainers may also be used to help keep corrected teeth in alignment. A retainer is a custom-made, removable appliance that helps keep teeth in their new, straightened position after braces have been removed. Retainers can also be used to treat more minor orthodontic problems. A retainer may need to be worn for years. Text has been reformatted to enhance viewability.