Waiting for braces or aligners to work can feel frustrating, but teeth need time to move safely. While orthodontic treatment follows a planned timeline, there are ways to avoid unnecessary delays. An experienced orthodontist in Little Italy ensures everything stays on track, but your habits also play a big role.

If you want to complete your treatment as efficiently as possible, here’s what you can do to help speed up the process.

How Long Does Orthodontic Treatment Typically Take?

Before looking at ways to speed things up, it’s important to understand how long orthodontic treatment normally takes. The average timeline depends on:

• The Severity of Misalignment: Minor cases may take 6–12 months, while more complex cases take 18–36 months.

• Type of Orthodontic Treatment: Braces generally take 12–24 months, while clear aligners may require 6–18 months, depending on the consistency of wear.

• Patient Compliance: Following instructions and attending all orthodontic appointments prevents setbacks and keeps treatment on track.

While some patients complete treatment sooner than expected, others extend their timeline due to missed visits, broken brackets, or inconsistent aligner wear.

Is It Possible to Make Orthodontic Treatment Faster?  

There’s no magic shortcut to straight teeth, but there are safe ways to help teeth shift more efficiently. Here are legitimate methods to prevent unnecessary delays and maximize progress:

1. Follow Your Orthodontist’s Instructions Exactly  

The most effective way to finish treatment as quickly as possible is to follow your orthodontist’s guidelines without cutting corners. Skipping appointments, ignoring dietary restrictions, or not wearing rubber bands as directed can slow things down significantly.

For patients with clear aligners, wearing them for at least 22 hours per day is essential. Removing aligners too often—especially for long periods—can cause teeth to shift back, prolonging treatment.

2. Keep Up With All Orthodontic Appointments

Orthodontic visits are scheduled strategically to adjust braces, monitor progress, and make necessary modifications to the treatment plan. Skipping or delaying these appointments can extend treatment time and disrupt progress.  

For braces, adjustments are usually needed every 4–8 weeks. For clear aligners, regular check-ins ensure teeth are moving as planned. Missing these can stall or even reverse progress.

3. Wear Your Elastics (Rubber Bands) as Directed

For patients with braces, elastics help correct bite alignment by applying extra pressure in specific directions. Wearing them inconsistently delays progress and can extend treatment time.

Patients should:

• Replace elastics daily to maintain proper tension.

• Never double up elastics in an attempt to speed things up—it can damage teeth and gums.

• Only remove elastics when eating or brushing, as instructed.

4. Protect Your Braces from Damage

If you’re wearing braces, broken brackets or wires slow down treatment because they require additional appointments for repairs. To prevent delays:

• Avoid hard, crunchy, and sticky foods that can break brackets.

• Use a mouthguard if playing sports to protect against injury.

• Brush and floss properly to prevent plaque buildup that could cause gum inflammation, affecting tooth movement.

• For aligner users, losing or damaging trays can set back progress, so keeping all previous trays is important in case a replacement is needed.

5. Maintain Excellent Oral Hygiene  

Gum disease, cavities, and other dental issues can pause orthodontic treatment. In some cases, an orthodontist may have to stop adjustments until the patient’s oral health improves.

To avoid this:

• Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.

• Floss regularly, using a floss threader for braces if needed.

• Use antimicrobial mouthwash to reduce bacteria and inflammation.

• Schedule regular cleanings with your dentist to remove plaque buildup.

Keeping teeth and gums healthy allows treatment to progress smoothly without unnecessary interruptions.

6. Consider Accelerated Orthodontic Techniques

For some patients, orthodontists may recommend specialized treatments that help teeth shift faster, such as:

Propel or MOPs (Micro-Osteoperforation)

This minimally invasive procedure creates small perforations in the bone, stimulating the natural response that allows teeth to move more efficiently. By encouraging faster bone remodeling, Propel or MOPs can reduce overall treatment time by several months in some cases.

It is typically performed in the orthodontist’s office and can be combined with traditional braces or clear aligners for enhanced results.  

AcceleDent or VPro+ Devices

These high-frequency vibration devices are designed to stimulate bone remodeling, allowing teeth to shift more efficiently within their planned movement. Used for just 5 to 20 minutes per day, AcceleDent and VPro+ devices may shorten orthodontic treatment time by up to 30% when combined with proper compliance. These tools are easy to use at home and can complement both braces and aligner therapy to optimize results.

While accelerated orthodontic techniques can be beneficial, they are not necessary for every patient. An orthodontist can determine whether these options are suitable based on individual treatment goals and progress.

7. Avoid Unnecessary Delays from Missed Appointments

Life gets busy, but rescheduling orthodontic appointments too often can push back progress. Try to stick to your scheduled visits as closely as possible.

If an emergency arises—such as a broken bracket or lost aligner tray—contact your orthodontist immediately to minimize delays.

What Doesn’t Work for Speeding Up Orthodontic Treatment?

While it’s tempting to find “hacks” for faster results, certain unsafe methods can do more harm than good. Here’s what not to do:

1. Doubling Up on Aligners or Rubber Bands  

Wearing two sets of aligners or using extra rubber bands does not make teeth move faster. Instead, it can cause root damage, gum recession, or misalignment.

2. Skipping Aligner Trays Too Soon

Switching to the next set of aligners before the prescribed time can create gaps, uneven movement, and an unstable bite. Always follow your orthodontist’s schedule.

3. DIY Orthodontic Shortcuts

At-home attempts to move teeth with DIY methods—such as rubber bands, YouTube hacks, or online kits—are dangerous. These methods can cause permanent damage and may lead to needing even longer treatment.

Get Expert Care from an Orthodontist in Little Italy

If you’re looking to straighten your teeth efficiently and safely, an experienced orthodontist at Perfect Smile Doc can guide you through the best treatment options. Whether you’re wearing braces or clear aligners, our team ensures your treatment stays on track and as efficient as possible.

Schedule a consultation today to learn how to achieve your perfect smile—without unnecessary delays!