At My LA Braces in Montebello, most patients wear braces for one to two years, according to our braces FAQ. Where you land in that range depends on how complex the bite is and what you want treatment to achieve. A personal answer to "how long do braces take" comes from an estimate at a free Smile Assessment.
A one-to-two-year range is wide, we know. The rest of this page narrows it down, first stage by stage and then for children, teens and adults, all of whom we treat at our Montebello, CA office.
How long do braces usually take?
Most braces treatment lasts one to two years. Our braces FAQ explains: "Each of our plans is unique, so every timeline varies a little. Most patients wear braces for one to two years, but it depends on the extent of their oral health problems and your expectations for treatment."
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) gives similar figures. As of October 2026, its patient guide says mild crowding or spacing can often be resolved in eight to twelve months, while more complex bite issues may take a couple of years.
Teeth can look straight well before treatment is finished. A finished case also has a correct bite and roots in stable positions. Your orthodontist decides when braces come off based on all of that, and timelines and results vary from one patient to the next.
What happens at each stage of braces treatment?
Braces treatment follows a predictable order, and a typical case moves through seven stages.
- Your first visit is a free Smile Assessment with an orthodontic exam, digital x-rays, a consultation and same-day records. It covers your treatment options and an estimate of how long treatment will last.
- On bonding day, brackets are attached to the teeth and connected with the first wire.
- During leveling and alignment, the early wires gradually straighten crowded or rotated teeth.
- Bite correction focuses on how the upper and lower teeth meet, sometimes with elastics (small rubber bands) to help correct an overbite, underbite or crossbite.
- Finishing and detailing fine-tunes tooth and root positions so the final bite comes together.
- On removal day, the brackets come off and the leftover bonding material is polished away.
- Retention starts once braces are off, with retainers holding the teeth in place while the surrounding bone and tissue adjust.
We don't attach month counts to the stages, because each case moves through them at its own pace.
| Stage | What happens | What can slow it down |
|---|---|---|
| Consultation and records | Exam, digital x-rays, records, timeline estimate | Putting off the start of treatment |
| Bonding day | Brackets and first wire placed | Cavities or gum problems that need care first |
| Leveling and alignment | Teeth straighten and line up | Missed visits, loose or broken brackets |
| Bite correction | Upper and lower teeth guided into proper contact | Elastics not worn as prescribed |
| Finishing and detailing | Small refinements to tooth and root position | Rescheduled visits near the end |
| Braces off | Brackets removed, teeth polished | A bite that isn't finished yet |
| Retention | Retainers hold the new position | Skipped retainer wear, which lets teeth shift |
How does age change a braces timeline?
Age changes when treatment starts and how quickly teeth respond.
For children, the first step is usually an evaluation rather than braces. We suggest a first orthodontic visit around age 7, in line with the AAO's advice that children see an orthodontist by age seven. That visit may show that no treatment is needed yet or that the child should be monitored. Sometimes it finds a problem that would benefit from early treatment, such as an expander for a narrow upper jaw. Our guide on what age your child should see an orthodontist has more detail.
A braces timeline for teens usually begins once most of the permanent teeth are in, and teens control the habits that keep a case moving. Harvard School of Dental Medicine notes that patients who keep their teeth clean, wear their rubber bands and avoid missing appointments usually complete treatment on time. Our page on braces for teens covers what that looks like day to day.
Treatment may run longer for adults. The AAO's adult orthodontics guide explains that adult teeth are more firmly set in the jaw, so moving them takes more time and pressure. Plans for adults also account for existing dental work and gum health. If you're leaning toward aligners, our article on age limits for Invisalign answers that question.
Why do some cases finish early or run long?
Cases tend to stay close to their estimate when nothing interrupts treatment. They run long when tooth movement stalls, usually for ordinary reasons:
- Missed or rescheduled adjustment visits
- A loose or broken bracket that goes unreported for weeks
- Elastics or aligners worn less than prescribed
- Cavities or gum problems that come up during treatment
The AAO notes that a lost aligner or a loose bracket can set things back. A case can also finish ahead of its estimate when the teeth respond well and every visit stays on track, though the braces still stay on until the bite is finished.
An estimate can't tell you which way your own case will lean. How fast a particular set of teeth responds only becomes clear once treatment is underway.
Is Invisalign faster than braces?
Not automatically. The AAO says aligner treatment can take just as long as braces and that neither option has a built-in speed advantage. So how long Invisalign takes depends on the same thing as braces: what needs to move.
Aligners do add one variable. They only move teeth while you're wearing them. If you've already fallen behind, read what to do if you missed a week of aligners.
We offer Invisalign and in-house clear aligners alongside traditional, clear and Damon braces.
What can patients do to stay on schedule?
Most of what keeps braces on schedule happens between visits.
- Keep every adjustment appointment, typically every six to ten weeks, and reschedule right away if you miss one. We're open two Saturdays a month to help families fit visits around school and work.
- Call us when a bracket comes loose or a wire starts poking, rather than waiting for the next visit.
- Wear elastics or aligners exactly as prescribed.
- Brush, floss and keep up with regular dental cleanings.
Some soreness and a slightly loose feeling are normal while teeth move. Our article on why teeth can feel loose with braces explains when to call.
If you want to know where your case stands, our 100% Consultation Satisfaction Guarantee lets you ask for a complimentary treatment progress consultation at any point during treatment.
What happens after braces come off?
Braces coming off starts the retention stage, which lasts long after the brackets are gone. The AAO notes that teeth can gradually shift after braces are removed if they aren't supported, and that most people need a retainer in some form for the long term. At first, your orthodontist may recommend wearing it most of the day and night.
Our in-house lab makes retainers on site, so your retainer comes from the same team that planned your treatment. We also use iTero digital scanners and in-office 3D printing for shorter appointments and more accurate appliances. We've also written about why retainers matter after braces.
This article is general information, not dental advice for your or your child's situation.
Frequently asked questions
How often are braces appointments?
Braces adjustment visits are typically scheduled every six to ten weeks, according to the American Association of Orthodontists. At each visit, the orthodontist checks progress and makes adjustments, such as changing wires or elastics. Showing up for each one is one of the simplest ways to keep a braces timeline close to its estimate.
How long do I need to wear a retainer after braces?
For most people, retainer wear is long term. The American Association of Orthodontists says a retainer is typically necessary for a lifetime, though how often you wear it may decrease over time. The schedule often starts with more hours of wear and tapers as teeth settle, and your orthodontist decides when to cut back.
Can an estimated braces timeline change once treatment starts?
Yes. A consultation estimate is based on your exam and records, but teeth don't all respond at the same pace. Missed visits or inconsistent elastic wear can add time, while a smoothly running case often stays on track. The orthodontist reviews progress at each adjustment and updates the plan when needed.
Can braces be planned around a wedding or graduation?
Often, yes, if you start early. Mention the date at your consultation so the orthodontist can tell you whether it fits a realistic timeline. The teeth still set the pace, so an event can't shorten treatment. Clear braces or aligners may suit patients who want treatment to be less noticeable in photos.
How we can help
At My LA Braces, every timeline starts with a real exam. Your free Smile Assessment includes a thorough orthodontic exam, digital x-rays and same-day records, and it covers your treatment options and an estimate of how long treatment should take for you or your child. We treat kids, teens and adults with traditional, clear and Damon braces, Invisalign and in-house clear aligners, so the recommendation from Dr. Shahab Parsa, our board-certified orthodontist, fits your case rather than a single appliance. Our in-house lab makes retainers and expanders on site, and our team serves patients in English and Spanish. You'll find us at 3533 W. Beverly Blvd., Montebello, with weekday hours plus two Saturdays a month. Find out your own timeline at a free consultation, or call or text us at 323-726-8300.