How Long Do Braces Take to Straighten Teeth? (Real Timelines & What Affects Them)

Whites Dental Waterloo

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Whites Dental Marble Arch (W2)

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Thinking about getting braces? One of the first questions we hear from patients is:

“How long will it take to straighten my teeth?”

The truth is — it depends on your specific case, the type of braces you choose, and how closely you follow your treatment plan. But don’t worry, we’ll walk you through realistic timelines, from quick cosmetic tweaks to full orthodontic correction.

At Whites Dental, we’ve helped hundreds of adults and teens straighten their teeth across London. This guide breaks down what to expect, how long each treatment typically takes, and how to get the fastest (and safest) results.

🦷 Free consultations available at our Waterloo and Marble Arch dental clinics — book yours today to get a personalised timeline from our specialist orthodontists.

Before after case photo where Invisalign was used for closing teeth gaps 3
Braces for Teeth Gaps
Invisalign London - severe crowding
Braces for irregular teeth
Dental Veneers London - fixing crooked teeth
Braces for misaligned Teeth

How Long Do Braces Typically Take?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer — but here’s a rough guide to how long most braces treatments take, depending on your needs:

Severity Treatment Type Estimated Duration
Mild crowding / gaps Invisalign or Light Braces 4–6 months
Moderate misalignment Fixed Braces (Metal or Ceramic) 12–18 months
Complex bite issues Specialist Braces / Orthodontics 18–30 months

👀 Most adult patients fall into the 12–18 month bracket (NHS) — but don’t worry, your orthodontist will give you a clearer idea after your consultation.

What Affects Your Braces Treatment Timeline?

Several factors can influence how long you’ll need to wear braces. Some you can’t control — others, you absolutely can.

1. Your Specific Case

Minor spacing issues can be fixed quickly. But if you’ve got bite problems, rotated teeth, or overcrowding, treatment may take longer.

2. Age

Younger patients respond faster because their bones are still growing. But adults can still achieve excellent results — it just may take a little more time and pressure.

3. Type of Braces

The kind of braces you choose can make a big difference to your treatment time. Some systems are designed to work faster for simpler cases, while others offer more control for complex adjustments.

  • Invisalign: Often quicker for mild to moderate issues.
  • Fixed Braces: More versatile and effective for complex corrections.

4. How Well You Follow the Plan

Wearing aligners as prescribed, avoiding brace-damaging foods, and maintaining good oral hygiene all help keep things on track.

⏱️ The better you follow your orthodontist’s advice, the faster you’ll see results.

When Will You Start Seeing Results?

You won’t have to wait too long to spot early changes — especially if you follow your plan closely.

  • 2–4 weeks with Invisalign or clear aligners
  • 6–8 weeks with fixed braces (metal or ceramic)

🪞 It might start with a subtle shift — a tooth looking straighter in the mirror, or your bite feeling more even. That’s when you know it’s working.

Keep in mind: even if you don’t see major changes straight away, that doesn’t mean progress isn’t happening. Orthodontic movement is gradual by design — to protect your teeth, roots, and jaw.

Braces Timeline: Month-by-Month Overview

Every smile is different — but here’s a typical treatment journey for patients using braces or aligners:

Month 1–3: Early Movement

  • Mild discomfort is common
  • Small gaps may begin to close
  • Early shifts become visible in the mirror

Month 4–6: Noticeable Progress

  • Teeth start to straighten more noticeably
  • Bite begins to feel more natural
  • Adjustments become more precise

Month 7–12: Refinement Phase

  • Root angles and bite alignment are refined
  • Smaller tooth rotations and spacing are corrected
  • Progress check-ups become more tailored

Month 13–18+: Final Tweaks

  • Final alignments are completed
  • Braces or aligners are removed
  • Retainers are introduced to preserve your new smile

🧑‍⚕️ Throughout your journey, regular check-ups with your orthodontist ensure everything stays on track and on time.

How Long Does Each Type of Braces Take?

Not all braces work at the same speed. Your treatment time depends on the type of braces you choose, the severity of your case, and how well you follow the plan. Here’s how each option typically compares:

Brace Type Best For Typical Duration
Metal Braces Moderate to complex cases 12–18 months
(up to 30 for complex)
Ceramic Braces Discreet option for adults 12–24 months
Damon Braces Faster treatment with less pressure 10–18 months
Invisalign Mild to moderate alignment 6–12 months
Lingual Braces Hidden braces behind teeth 12–24 months

So, how long do metal braces take? For most patients, the answer is between 12 and 18 months. They’re often the fastest and most effective option for more complex straightening needs.

Explore All Fixed Brace Options

Can You Speed Up Braces Treatment?

In some cases, yes — but it depends on you.

While you can’t change how your teeth respond biologically, you can influence the timeline by following your treatment plan to the letter.

✅ What Helps Speed Things Up:

  • Wearing aligners full-time: At least 22 hours a day if using Invisalign or similar systems.
  • Avoiding brace-damaging foods: Sticky sweets, popcorn, and hard snacks can snap brackets and set you back.
  • Attending all appointments: Missed check-ups = missed adjustments = longer treatment.
  • Excellent oral hygiene: Clean teeth move better and reduce the risk of delays caused by gum issues.

🚫 What Slows You Down:

  • Skipping trays or removing aligners too often
  • Breaking brackets or wires
  • Poor brushing and flossing
  • Ignoring instructions around food and care

💡 Even small slip-ups can stretch a 12-month treatment into 18 — so staying consistent is the fastest way forward.

Invisalign vs Braces: Which Is Faster?

If you’re weighing up treatment options, one of the first things you might wonder is: which one gets results quicker?

The answer depends on your specific case — but here’s how the two compare in most situations:

Factor Invisalign Metal/Ceramic Braces
Visibility ✅ Nearly invisible ❌ Visible brackets and wires
Comfort ✅ Smooth plastic trays ❌ Can cause rubbing or irritation
Removability ✅ Removable for eating & brushing ❌ Fixed to teeth throughout
Speed (Mild Cases) ✅ Often faster ❌ Slightly slower
Speed (Complex Cases) ❌ May struggle with severe issues ✅ More effective for complex needs
Precision Control ❌ Limited movement options ✅ Orthodontist can fine-tune more

🦷 Invisalign is often faster for mild to moderate alignment issues. For anything complex — like bite correction or tooth rotation — fixed braces usually win out.

What to Expect at Your First Appointment

Before we can give you a precise timeline, we need to understand your smile.

Your first consultation is where that journey begins. It’s relaxed, informative, and tailored entirely around you.

💸 Want to get an idea of costs? Check out our Braces Cost Guide for London or speak to us directly during your free consultation.

Here’s what typically happens:

  • Smile assessment: We’ll examine your teeth, bite, and jaw alignment.
  • Digital scans & X-rays: If needed, we’ll take photos, 3D scans, or a CBCT to get the full picture.
  • Treatment planning: Your orthodontist will create a personalised plan based on your goals and needs.
  • Q&A session: We’ll walk you through all your options — including expected timeframes and costs.

📍 We offer free consultations at both our Marble Arch and Waterloo dental practices. Book yours today to get expert advice and a treatment plan built just for you.

Patient Testimonials

500+ Google Five Star reviews

Adult Braces London - Invisalign Option
Teeth Gaps Closure with composite bonding testimonial for Dr Edina in London
Whites Dental London Gallery - Patient Testimonial For Metal Braces
Ask Dr Kiren how veneers on two front teeth can help

What Our Braces Patients Say

“I highly recommend Whites Dental for anyone looking to get fixed braces. The staff are knowledgeable and provide great care. My teeth are now straight and I couldn’t be happier.”
— Miller Saunders

“I’ve been to Whites Dental for Invisalign treatment and it went very smoothly; they couldn’t have been more helpful and flexible in timings. A really professional and personal service!”
— Tomas King

“Just got back from my final session after Invisalign … I can’t stop grinning at myself in the mirror! I’m so happy with the work and soooo pleased with my new smile.”
— Michael Stevenson‑Smith

“Completed Invisalign braces treatment with Dr Deepa – very happy with results. Can’t recommend them enough.”
— Charlotte Edwards

“Prior to getting my braces, Dr Elliot took his time explaining everything to me, he made my mind feel at ease… I’m soo soo happy that I decided to go ahead with Whites Dental.”
— Stephanie Laniyan

💬 Want to hear more? We have over 500 five-star Google reviews from patients across London.

What Happens After Braces? (Retainers & Long-Term Results)

Getting your braces off is a huge milestone — but it’s not quite the end of your orthodontic journey.

To keep your new smile straight for the long haul, you’ll need to wear retainers. This is a crucial step in any braces or aligner treatment.

So, how long will I need to wear a retainer?

After your braces come off:

  • You’ll likely wear a retainer full-time for the first few months.
  • Then, your orthodontist may recommend night-time use only — often for 12+ months.
  • Many patients choose to wear retainers longer-term to prevent natural shifting.

🛡️ Think of retainers as insurance for your smile — they protect the time and money you’ve invested.

Braces Timeline FAQs

How long do metal braces take to straighten teeth?

Most patients with metal braces can expect treatment to last between 12 and 18 months, though severe cases may take up to 30 months. They’re ideal for full corrections and offer the fastest results for complex needs.

How long do ceramic braces take?

Ceramic braces usually take 12 to 24 months. They work just like metal braces but may take slightly longer due to their more delicate material.

How long does Invisalign take to work?

Invisalign can straighten mild cases in as little as 4 to 6 months. For moderate alignment issues, the average treatment time is 6 to 12 months.

How long do Damon braces take?

Damon Braces often work faster than traditional options, with many cases completing in 10 to 18 months. They use self-ligating brackets to reduce pressure and speed up tooth movement.

How long do lingual braces take?

Lingual braces typically take 12 to 24 months, depending on complexity. Because they sit behind your teeth, they may require more precise adjustments, which can slightly extend treatment time.

Can braces really work in 2 or 3 months?

In very mild cases — like closing a small gap — yes. But most patients need 6 to 18 months for lasting, stable results.

Are teeth always 100% straight after braces?

Your orthodontist aims for optimal alignment — but natural tooth shape and bite patterns mean perfect symmetry isn’t always necessary. Retainers help maintain your final result.

When do braces stop hurting?

Most discomfort fades within a few days of getting braces or having them adjusted. By the second week, most patients feel minimal discomfort.

Do braces permanently fix teeth?

Yes — if you wear your retainers. Without proper retention, teeth can gradually shift back, especially within the first 12 months post-treatment.

Do braces change your face shape?

Braces can subtly enhance your jawline and facial profile by improving bite and alignment — especially in teens or young adults. Major changes are uncommon.

Ready to Start Your Braces Journey?

Whether you’re after braces treatment in London, fixed braces, or just want expert advice — we’re here to help you take the first step.

At Whites Dental, we treat patients of all ages from across London. Our team will walk you through every option, give you a realistic timeline, and help you achieve a straighter smile that actually lasts.

👉 Book your free consultation today and let’s find the right treatment plan for your smile.

Whites Dental
Privacy Overview

Whites Dental (“we”, “us” or “our”) are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy.

The practice respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy sets out how we will do this, taking into account data protection laws as well as our professional guidelines and requirements.

The data controller is Whites Dental; the Information Governance Lead is Deepa Chopra.

This Privacy Policy is available on the practice website at www.whitesdental.co.uk/privacy-policy, by email if you contact [email protected] or by calling the practice on 0204 527 3210.

This policy (together with our Cookies Policy) sets out the basis on which any personal data we collect, or that you provide to us, will be processed by us. It does not include data where the identity has been removed (i.e. anonymous data).

Please read the following carefully to understand our views and practices regarding your personal data and how we will treat it.

You will be asked to provide personal information when joining the practice. The purpose of us processing this data is to provide optimum health care to you by, for example, recommending the most relevant treatment and ensuring your safety by taking your medical history.

The categories of data we process

  • Contact data (such as name, address, email address, telephone number) for the purposes of corresponding with you, for example, regarding your appointments and treatment.
  • Contact data (such as name, address, email address, telephone number) for the purposes of direct mail/email/text/marketing.
  • Special category data concerning health (including health records, medical history, medication, your doctor’s name and address, warning cards or bracelets, alcohol and drug use) for the purposes of the delivery of safe health care.
  • Treatment data (such as photos, moulds, X-rays, clinical findings) for the purposes of providing you with the best treatment.
  • Financial data (such as credit card details, bank account information, credit history, employment status) for the purposes of processing your payment for treatment(s).
  • Usage data (such as information about how you use our website, products and services) for the purposes of improving the way we provide our treatment and services.

The ways we collect information about you

We may collect and process the following data about you in operating the website and performing any of our services and treatment(s):

Direct
  • Information you give us (including information you give to our Clinical Lead, Specialists, Dentists, Hygienists and Orthodontic Therapists who are contracted to work for us). You may give us information about you by filling in forms on our website www.whitesdental.co.uk or by corresponding with us by phone, email, in person or otherwise.
  • Personal data is obtained when a patient joins the practice, when a patient is referred to the practice and when a patient subscribes to an email list.
Automatic
  • Information we automatically collect about you. With regard to each of your visits to our website we may automatically collect the following information:
  • Technical information, including the internet protocol (IP) address used to connect your computer to the internet, your login information, browser type and version, time zone setting, browser plugin types and versions, operating system and platform; and
  • Information about your visit, including the full Uniform Resource Locators (URL) clickstream to, through and from our site (including date and time); products you viewed or searched for; page response times, download errors, length of visits to certain pages, page interaction information (such as scrolling, clicks, and mouseovers), and methods used to browse away from the page and any phone number used to call our customer service number.
From third parties
  • Our Clinical Lead, Specialists, Dentists, Hygienists and Orthodontic Therapists are third parties working for us as contractors, however, they are contractually bound to us with regard to obligations of confidentiality in the same way as our employees and by professional obligations of confidentiality.
  • You may have been referred to us for treatment from Invisalign and we will therefore receive contact data, special category data concerning health, treatment data and/or financial data from them.
  • Information we receive from other sources. We may receive information about you if you use any of the other websites we operate or the other services we provide.
  • We are also working closely with third parties (including, for example, business partners, subcontractors in technical, payment and delivery services, advertising networks, analytics providers, search information providers, credit reference agencies) and may receive information about you from them.
  • We use third-party analytics services (such as Google Analytics) to evaluate your use of the website, compile reports on activity, collect demographic data, analyze performance metrics, and collect and evaluate other information relating to our website and internet usage. These third parties use cookies and other technologies to help analyse and provide us with data.

How we share data with third parties

We may share your Contact data, special category of data relating to health, Financial data, Treatment data and/or Usage data with selected third parties including:

  • Our Clinical Lead, Specialists, Dentists, Hygienists and Orthodontic Therapists.
  • Private health insurance companies (at your request if you are using private health insurance).
  • Credit reference agencies.
  • Equipment providers and laboratories such as Align Tech, Nimrodental, and Ashford Orthodontics.
  • Professional compliance organisations such as BDA.
  • Data storage and transfer platforms such as Microsoft Sharepoint and Dropbox.
  • Our payment platform Natwest.
  • Our practice management and CRM software providers Pearl.
  • Our live chat provider Quriobot.
  • Advertisers and advertising networks that require the data to select and serve relevant adverts to you and others such as Facebook.
  • Analytics and search engine providers that assist us in the improvement and optimisation of our site such as Google.

This is a list of the main third parties with whom we share your personal data. If you would like a full list of third parties who process your data, and their contact details, please contact us using the details set out above.

We never pass your personal details to a third party unless we have a contract for them to process data on our behalf and will otherwise keep it confidential.

If we intend to refer a patient to another practitioner or to secondary care such as a hospital we will gain your consent before the referral is made and the personal data is shared.

The website may include links to third party websites, plugins and applications. Clicking on those links or enabling those connections may allow third parties to collect or share data about you. We do not control these third party websites and are not responsible for their privacy statements. When you leave our website, we encourage you to read the privacy notice of every website you visit.

Data transferred outside the EU

  • Personal data is stored in the EU whether in digital or hard copy format.
  • Personal data is stored in the US in digital format when the data storage company is certified with the EU-US Privacy Shield.

Lawful basis for processing personal data

The lawful bases for processing personal data (including providing your personal data to third parties) are:

  • Consent of the data subject for data relating to treatment, care, our services, processing payment, credit checks, marketing and reviews, improving our services and improving our website (including using data analytics). This will also apply to the storage of personal data for these purposes.
  • Processing is necessary for the performance of a contract with the data subject or to take steps to enter into a contract such as the provision of the services by us.
  • Processing is necessary to comply with a legal obligation such as financial, tax and contractual laws.

For consent relating to children and people who may not have mental capacity to give consent, please contact us using the details above for a copy of our Safeguarding and Mental Capacity policies.

The reason for processing special category data such as patients’ health data is:

  • The processing is necessary for the purposes of preventative or occupational medicine, for assessing the working capacity of the employee, medical diagnosis, the provision of health or social care or treatment or management of health or social care systems and services on the basis of Union or Member State law or a contract with a health professional; and
  • Data is processed by or under the responsibility of a professional subject to the obligation of professional secrecy under Union or Member State law or rules established by national competent bodies or by another person also subject to an obligation of secrecy under Union or Member State law or rules established by national competent bodies.

Purposes for processing personal data

We (and the third parties listed above) process your personal data for the following purposes:

  • To provide you with our services.
  • To discuss relevant treatments.
  • To provide a safe working environment for staff, contractors and patients.
  • To check your employment and financial status for payment plans.
  • To process payments.
  • To keep you informed of our latest offers, other services we provide and general marketing activities.
  • To obtain reviews and feedback on your experience of our services.
  • To store our data.

If you would like more information about how your data is processed please contact us by using the details set out above.

Data retention

The retention period for special category data in patient records is a minimum of 10 years and may be longer for complex records in order to meet our legal requirements. The retention periods for other personal data is two years after it was last processed.

You will receive marketing emails until you unsubscribe, either by contacting us or by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the email. For details of other retention periods please contact us using the details set out above.

Your personal data rights

You have the following personal data rights:

  • The right to be informed.
  • The right of access to your personal data, which enables you to receive a copy of the personal data we hold about you and to check that we are lawfully processing it.
  • The right to rectification of your personal data that you consider to be inaccurate. This enables you to have any incomplete or inaccurate data we hold about you corrected.
  • The right to erasure. This enables you to ask us to delete or remove your personal data (however clinical records must be retained for a certain time period).
  • The right to restrict processing. This gives you the option to ask us to suspend the processing of your personal data e.g. if you want us to establish the data’s accuracy or you do not want us to erase it.
  • The right to data portability. If you request us to do so, we will provide to you, or a third party of your choice, your personal data in a commonly used, machine-readable format.
  • The right to object. This enables you to object to the processing of your personal data if you feel it impacts on your fundamental rights and freedoms, however, in some cases, we may have compelling legitimate grounds to process your information which can override your right to object.
  • The right to request confirmation as to whether or not your personal data is being processed.
  • The right to not have a decision made about you based solely on automated processing.

You have the right to withdraw consent at any time. If you request us to do so, we will no longer process your data. However, this will not affect the lawfulness of any processing carried out before you withdraw your consent. If you withdraw your consent, we will not be able to provide you with the services. You have the right to obtain a free copy of your patient records within one month of submitting a request.

If you are not a patient of the practice you have the right to withdraw consent for processing personal data, to have a free copy of it within one month of submitting a request, to correct errors in it or to ask us to delete it. You can also withdraw consent from communication methods such as telephone, email or text.

We have carried out a Privacy Impact Assessment and if you would like a copy please contact us using the details set out above.

If you wish to exercise any of the rights set out above, in the first instance, please contact us using the details set out above.

You will not have to pay a fee to access your personal data (or to exercise any of the other rights). However, we may charge a reasonable fee if your request is clearly unfounded, repetitive or excessive. Alternatively, we may refuse to comply with your request in these circumstances.

We may need to request specific information from you to help us confirm your identity and ensure your right to access your personal data (or to exercise any of your other rights). This is a security measure to ensure that personal data is not disclosed to any person who has no right to receive it. We may also contact you to ask you for further information in relation to your request to speed up our response.

Further details of these rights can be obtained on the Information Commissioner’s website.

Data security

We have put in place appropriate security measures to prevent your personal data from being lost, used or accessed in an unauthorised way, altered or disclosed. In addition, we limit access to your personal data to those employees, agents, contractors and other third parties who have a business need to know. They will only process your personal data on our instructions and they are subject to a duty of confidentiality.

We have put in place procedures to deal with any suspected personal data breach and will notify you and any applicable regulator of a breach where we are legally required to do so.

Unfortunately, the transmission of information via the internet is not completely secure. Although we will do our best to protect your personal data, we cannot guarantee the security of your data transmitted through our website; any transmission is at your own risk. Once we have received your information, we will use strict procedures and security features to try to prevent unauthorised access.

Comments, suggestions and complaints

Please contact the practice for a comment, suggestion or a complaint about your data processing at [email protected], or 0204 527 3210 or by writing to or visiting the practice. We take complaints very seriously.

If you are unhappy with our response or if you need any advice you should contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). Their telephone number is 0303 123 1113, you can also find other contact options here. The ICO can investigate your claim and take action against anyone who’s misused personal data. You can also visit their website for information on how to make a data protection complaint.

Marketing by us

We offer individuals real choice and control. Our consent procedures put individuals in charge to build customer trust and engagement.

Our consent for marketing requires a positive opt-in, we don’t use pre-ticked boxes or any other method of default consent. We make it easy for people to withdraw consent, tell you how to and keep contemporaneous evidence of consent. Consent to marketing is never a precondition of a service.

You will receive marketing communications from us if you have requested information from us or if you have signed up via our contact form on the website and, in each case, you have not opted out of receiving that marketing.

Marketing by third parties

We do not share your data with third parties for marketing purposes.

Opting out

Where you opt-out of receiving these marketing messages, this means that you may not receive messages relating to your appointments or treatment so please let us know by using the details set out above if you would like to continue to receive messages about your appointments and treatment.