Fixed brace- how long

[Brian9600]

Obviously it varies a lot but I’d very much appreciate it if you would tell me how long your child had to have a fixed brace, and how long a retainer after that? (Obviously assuming they had one 🙂)

Thank you!

It’s about 18 months for a fixed brace and years for retainer or the teeth move.

Fixed braces for about 2 years and then got to teenage years and refused the retainer. Now has wonky teeth again.

DC1: five years fixed braces (a LOT of specialist work going on there though), permanent fixed retainer, removable retainer every night for ever
DC2: just over one year, removable retainer every night (although doesn't, and teeth go wonky again, wears it for a bit, then stops, teeth go wonky, rinse and repeat)
Me: estimated 18 months fixed braces, to be followed with fixed retainer plus removable retainer, which I will wear every night, cos the work the braces I had nearly 40 years ago did has all come undone due to no retainers back in the early 80s!

DD1 fixed brace 2 years. Retainer she stopped wearing at some point in college and as a result her teeth reverted a fair bit.

DD2 removable braces 1 year. Fixed brace 1 year and counting. I will be asking re a fixed wire inside teeth after DD1's failure. (Though DD2 is more sensible tbh)

Fixed brace was 3/4 years after twin block and retainer is ongoing, fixed behind permanently and removeable at night.

Ds15 got his taken off after 3 1/2 years on friday and is now has a removable retainer.

My Dd1 had hers got just less than a year followed by retainers, ds1 looks like it will also be around a year.

They were both told 2 years at the start but their teeth moved very quickly.

Retainers for as long as you want straight teeth. By and large, teeth are programmed to be where they were, without some form of retention, relapse is inevitable. This varies depending on the type of malocclusion.

Dd1 fixed brace for 11months retainer ever since (only nighttime after a few months). Was 13 when braces came off and is now 18.5yrs.

Ds1 couldn't get on with twin block. Teeth removed then fixed braces, which he's had for 2.5yrs - the end is not too far away now he's hoping!

It really does depend on what is being done and how the teeth respond.

Two years and retainer for life.

Retainers are for life. Your teeth will move back if you don't use a retainer as it's not their 'natural' positioning. For children the fixed bonded retainer is usually better as well as the removable retainer. But it does vary on time usually minimum of 2 years I seem to see.

Thanks everyone