At Burwell Dental, we see a wide range of patients for braces in Cambridge. Everyone has different priorities and questions, but there are some that crop up repeatedly.

How long does it take?

There is no set amount of time that braces take to work. Each person is different and each method is different. At a minimum, for very minor corrections, you might have a treatment that lasts 12 weeks. For more extensive work, the time frame can extend to as much as two years or more. However, the average is somewhere in the middle, so around six to 12months.

Interestingly, the time taken to actually move teeth remains relatively consistent. Braces start a natural process in the body by applying pressure on the teeth to move them in a certain direction. This starts around 72 hours after braces are applied and stabilises about a year after they are removed. This is why everyone needs to wear a retainer for around a year after having braces. The variation in treatment time is dictated by the extent of the required work and the focus of treatment.

Do they hurt?

There is usually some discomfort when it comes to having your teeth moved. The level is dependent on your general sensitivity but also on the point you are at in your treatment. Braces are more likely to create soreness right after fitting and after any adjustments that you have. This will fade over time and, in the interim, can be relived using normal, shop-bought painkillers.

Are they expensive?

The cost will vary from treatment to treatment. It depends on how many appointments you need and which method you choose. If you are concerned, you can talk to your dentist about controlling the costs.

At Burwell Dental, we are committed to being open and upfront about these from the start so that you can budget. Whilst not everything is predictable, we include everything that is likely to come up. We let you know where possible if there are any potential issues that might incur more treatment costs.

This is just one of the things you can talk through with your dentist when you get braces in Cambridge. They will be able to tailor their advice to meet your needs.