(Bursa Orthodontics – Explained by Dr. Begüm Ulaşan)

Almost everyone considering starting orthodontic treatment has the same questions on their mind:

1. "How long does orthodontic treatment take?"
2. "How many months do I have to wear braces?"
3. "Is clear aligner (Aligner / Invisalign) treatment shorter?"
4. "If I go to Dr. Begüm Ulaşan for orthodontics in Bursa, approximately how much time should I set aside?"

These questions are entirely natural. Because orthodontic treatment is not just an aesthetic process; it is a journey that requires time planning, patience, and discipline in one's professional/academic life.

In this comprehensive article, we will answer the most frequently asked questions about orthodontic treatment duration in detail and clear language, based on the perspective of Orthodontic Specialist Dr. Begüm Ulaşan, practicing in Bursa.

1. Why is Orthodontic Treatment Duration Different for Everyone?

One of the most commonly heard phrases is: "My friend finished her braces in 1 year; why will mine take 2 years?"

The reason is simple: No two mouths, no two tooth alignments, are the same.

The primary factors affecting orthodontic treatment duration are:

1. Case Difficulty: Is there slight crowding? Are the teeth spaced? Is the jaw relationship disturbed (lower jaw forward/backward, crossbite, open bite, etc.)?
2. Need for Tooth Extraction: In some cases, tooth extraction may be necessary to create space. Extraction cases typically take longer than non-extraction cases.
3. Age and Growth Status: Growth can be guided in children and adolescents, whereas making skeletal changes is more difficult in adults.
4. Type of Treatment Used: Metal brackets, ceramic (aesthetic) brackets, lingual braces (on the inside), clear aligner (Aligner / Invisalign) treatment... All have different clinical advantages and limitations.
5. Patient Cooperation and Discipline: Regularly attending appointments, wearing clear aligners for the recommended duration, maintaining oral hygiene, not breaking brackets, adhering to elastic usage... All these significantly affect the treatment duration.

Dr. Begüm Ulaşan in Bursa evaluates all these factors during the initial consultation and shares a realistic time estimate such as: "For your case, orthodontic treatment will take approximately this long."

However, this is always an "approximate duration," not a fixed timeline, because variables that can lengthen or shorten the treatment emerge during the process.

2. Average Orthodontic Treatment Durations (Braces and Clear Aligners)

Although entirely personalized, we can summarize the average durations to provide a general idea:

2.1. Mild Cases

1. Slight crowding,
2. Small gaps between front teeth,
3. Simple cases where the bite is not significantly affected.

Approximate Duration:

➡️ 6–12 months

In these types of cases, both classic braces and clear aligner (Aligner / Invisalign) treatment may be suitable. Dr. Begüm Ulaşan in Bursa often prefers clear aligners, especially for adult and highly aesthetically conscious mild cases.

2.2. Moderately Difficult Cases

1. Noticeable crowding,
2. Lack of space,
3. Mild-to-moderate bite problems,
4. Cases sometimes requiring tooth extraction.

Approximate Duration:

➡️ 12–18 months

In this group, the treatment duration is generally similar for both braces and clear aligners; the difference is mostly determined by the case structure and patient cooperation.

2.3. Difficult and Advanced Cases

1. Severe crowding,
2. Complex cases with extractions,
3. Advanced Class II–III bite problems,
4. Complicated conditions such as open bite and crossbite,
5. Cases accompanied by skeletal deformities.

Approximate Duration:

➡️ 18–24 months and longer

Fixed braces (metal or ceramic brackets) are generally preferred more frequently in this group. Although clear aligner systems are becoming increasingly powerful in this area, classic orthodontic treatment still stands out as a more controlled option in many advanced cases.

3. Is the Treatment Duration Different for Children and Adults?

3.1. Orthodontic Treatment Duration in Children and Adolescents

In children:

1. Jaw bones are still in the growth phase.
2. Growth-guiding appliances can be used.
3. Some deformities can be corrected more "easily" due to the advantage of growth.

However, this does not mean the treatment will be short. In most adolescent patients:

1. Braces treatment can still take between 12–24 months.
2. If preliminary treatments (e.g., upper jaw expansion, functional appliances) are added during the growth period, the total process can extend over several years.

3.2. Orthodontic Treatment Duration in Adults

In adults:

1. Growth is complete.
2. Bone remodeling is still possible, so orthodontics can be done; but the scope for jaw guidance is narrower.

Generally:

1. Adult orthodontic treatments also typically take between 12–24 months.
2. The difference lies more in the treatment goals and biological response than the duration.

Dr. Begüm Ulaşan in Bursa gives this message to patients who ask, "Can adults have orthodontics, and will the duration be longer?":

"Being an adult is not an obstacle to treatment. The duration is often similar to adolescents. The important factors are the condition of your gum and bone health, and your compliance with the treatment."

4. Is Clear Aligner (Aligner / Invisalign) Treatment Shorter?

This is one of the questions Dr. Begüm Ulaşan most frequently hears during orthodontic consultations in Bursa: "Doctor, if I get clear aligners, will the treatment be shorter?"

The answer is: Generally, no.

Clear aligner treatment is not a "magic accelerating" method. The biology of tooth movement within the bone is the same for both braces and aligners. Moving the tooth beyond a certain speed can risk root and bone health.

In other words:

1. Clear aligner treatment is completed within similar durations as braces in most cases.
2. It may only take a few months in some light cases, but the reason for this is the lightness of the case, not the "aligner itself."

The main advantages of clear aligners are:

1. Aesthetic appearance,
2. Comfort,
3. Being removable,
4. Digital planning and simulation capabilities.

The speed of treatment is still determined by:

1. The difficulty of the case,
2. The planning,
3. The patient's discipline in wearing the aligners for the recommended duration.

5. Factors that Lengthen or Shorten Orthodontic Treatment Duration

5.1. Situations that Lengthen Treatment

1. Missing Appointments: Constantly postponing check-ups when you need to come every 4–6 weeks, or taking long breaks due to being abroad/out of town.
2. Broken Brackets, Broken Wires (in braces treatment): Biting on hard foods, cracking nuts with teeth, or habits like biting pens/nails increase bracket breakages and slow down treatment.
3. Not Wearing Clear Aligners Enough: Wearing them for 10–12 hours instead of 20–22 hours a day, or removing the aligner for long periods thinking, "It's okay if I don't wear it today." In this case, the teeth cannot make the planned movement, and the switch to the next aligner is delayed.
4. Neglecting Oral Hygiene: Gum swelling, cavities, pain, and sensitivity can lead to extra interventions during check-ups, sometimes even causing the treatment to be temporarily halted.
5. Need for Additional Treatments: Additional steps such as unexpected tooth extractions, gum treatment, or repairing broken teeth can lengthen the process.

5.2. Factors that Positively Affect (Shorten or Stabilize) Treatment

1. Adhering to Appointment Discipline: Not missing the check-up dates set by Dr. Begüm Ulaşan in Bursa whenever possible.
2. Following Clear Aligner Wearing Times: Taking the 20–22 hours a day rule seriously.
3. Taking Care of Brackets and Teeth: Avoiding hard foods and habits that strain the brackets.
4. Good Oral Hygiene: Regular and correct brushing, and if necessary, interdental brushes, mouthwash, and regular scale cleaning.
5. Compliance with Elastics and Auxiliary Appliances: Adhering to the use of elastics (rubber bands) and any extra appliances the doctor asks you to wear at night significantly affects the treatment duration and outcome.

6. "Do Braces Come Off as Soon as the Treatment is Over?" – The Retention Period

Many patients are under the misconception: "My treatment is finished the day my brackets come off." In fact, there is a very important period that we can consider the continuation of orthodontic treatment: The Retention Period.

1. When the teeth have moved to their new positions, the surrounding bone and ligament tissues have not yet "fully adapted."
2. The teeth may have a tendency to move back to their old place (relapse).

For this reason, a fixed retainer (a thin wire bonded to the back surface of the teeth) and/or clear retention trays are used, and the duration of this period can extend from a few years to often lifelong nightly wear.

Dr. Begüm Ulaşan in Bursa always explains to every patient at the start of the treatment:

"Your braces or clear aligner treatment might finish in 1.5–2 years; but we must approach the retention period with the same seriousness to preserve the result we achieved."

When discussing the active treatment duration, it's essential not to forget the retention period, as the permanence of the treatment is directly linked to compliance during retention.

7. Frequently Asked Questions – Brief Answers

1. What is the minimum duration for orthodontic treatment?
2. Even in mild cases, we are generally talking about a process that takes at least around 6 months. Approaches promising "miraculous correction in 3 months" are often unrealistic.
3. I only want my front teeth straightened; will the duration be shorter?
4. Yes, correcting mild crowding just in the front area can take less time than a full-comprehensive treatment. However, the bite relationship and chewing function should not be ignored. Dr. Begüm Ulaşan in Bursa considers the overall balance of the jaw, even in requests focused on the front teeth.
5. What happens if I have to take a break during treatment?
6. Short delays (e.g., 1–2 weeks) may not cause major problems, but long breaks (not coming for check-ups for months, not wearing aligners) will both lengthen and complicate the treatment.
7. Is clear aligner or braces faster?
8. There is usually no significant difference in terms of speed. The key is the type of case and ensuring that the biological limits of the treatment are not pushed.
9. Who should I go to for orthodontics in Bursa?
10. Orthodontic treatments should ideally be performed by an orthodontic specialist. Dr. Begüm Ulaşan in Bursa, under the umbrella of Milim Dental, conducts both braces and clear aligner (Aligner / Invisalign) treatments with personalized duration and planning.

8. Conclusion: Orthodontic Treatment Duration is Determined by Your Oral Structure, Not "Based on a Friend"

In summary:

1. Orthodontic treatment duration is a highly personalized process that can range from 6 months to 2–2.5 years.
2. Saying, "My friend's treatment finished in 1 year, mine should take that long too," is like trying to force the same clothing onto different body sizes.
3. Dr. Begüm Ulaşan in Bursa determines the orthodontic duration by evaluating the case difficulty, age, jaw structure, gum condition, treatment method, and your lifestyle together.

If you are wondering:

1. "How long will my orthodontic treatment take?"
2. "Are braces or clear aligners right for me?"
3. "What kind of time plan would I make with Dr. Begüm Ulaşan for orthodontics in Bursa?"

The best step is to schedule a consultation appointment to hear a precise assessment tailored to your own dental and jaw structure.

Remember: General durations found online only provide an "approximate idea"; the real duration is revealed only through the detailed analysis performed by the orthodontic specialist who examines you.