Braces Timeline: What Happens Month by Month

If you’re getting braces soon (or just had them placed), you may be wondering what the next several months will look like. How long does treatment take? When will things start to feel easier? When will you notice changes?

At Connolly Orthodontics, we want every patient to feel comfortable and confident from Day 1. While every smile is unique and timelines vary, there are common stages that most braces patients go through.

Here’s a helpful month-by-month guide to what you can expect on your journey to a healthier, straighter smile.

Month 1: Getting Started

Your first month is all about adjusting — to the braces, to the new routine, and to the first small tooth movements.

What happens:

• Brackets and wires are placed
• You learn how to brush, floss, and care for your braces
• You may feel some tenderness as your teeth start moving
• Eating soft foods becomes your new best friend for a few days

Most patients notice their teeth already beginning to shift — sometimes within the first week!

Months 2–3: Settling In

During these early months, your teeth continue their initial movement, and you start feeling more at home with your braces.

What happens:

• Adjustment appointments begin
• Any early discomfort fades
• Teeth begin to noticeably straighten
• You’ll get into the rhythm of cleaning and caring for your braces

You’re building momentum — this is when many patients get excited because the changes become visible.

Months 4–6: Correcting Alignment

This phase is where we start refining how your teeth line up as a whole.

What happens:

• Brackets or wires may be changed for stronger, more targeted movement
• Crowding or spacing begins to correct
• Bite alignment becomes a bigger focus
• Some patients begin wearing rubber bands during this stage

This is where the “big picture” orthodontic work really picks up speed.

Months 6–9: Bite Adjustments and Finishing Movements

By now, teeth are straighter, and the goal becomes fine-tuning how your upper and lower teeth work together.

What happens:

• Elastics (rubber bands) may be added or adjusted
• You may get new wires or special bends for precise movement
• Small gaps or rotations are corrected
• The smile is really taking shape

Many patients say this is the stage when they start imagining their final smile, because they can actually see it.

Months 9–12: Refining Details

As the year mark approaches, your braces are doing smaller adjustments that bring everything into ideal alignment.

What happens:

• Bite checks become more detailed
• We address small gaps or angles
• Elastics help settle your bite
• You may have fewer “big” changes and more subtle adjustments

Your smile is becoming more stable — and it’s looking great.

Year 1 and Beyond: Final Touches and Retainer Prep

If your treatment plan extends past 12 months (many do), the focus becomes perfecting the bite and holding everything in place.

What happens:

• Bite is monitored closely to ensure it’s functioning properly
• Teeth are fine-tuned into their final positions
• Retainer planning happens toward the end of treatment

When your smile is ready, we’ll schedule the big day — braces off! — and take impressions or scans for your retainers.

How Long Does Treatment Really Take?

While this guide gives a general sense of the timeline, your personal treatment length depends on several factors, including:

• How much movement your teeth need
• Whether you have bite issues like an overbite, underbite, or crossbite
• How well you care for your braces
• Whether you wear rubber bands as directed
• Your age and bone structure

Most patients finish treatment in 12–24 months, while more complex cases may take a bit longer.

We’ll talk you through your estimated treatment time at your consultation and, of course, update you along the way.

Tips for Staying on Track With Your Braces Timeline

You play a huge role in keeping treatment on schedule (or even finishing early!). Here’s what helps most:

✔ Wear rubber bands as instructed
Elastics are one of the top factors affecting treatment speed.

✔ Keep all scheduled appointments
Adjustments are what keep your braces working efficiently.

✔ Maintain great brushing and flossing habits
Gum inflammation can slow tooth movement.

✔ Avoid foods that can break brackets
Broken brackets = delayed movement.

✔ Ask questions anytime something feels off
We’re always here to help.

Your Smile Journey Is Important to Us

Every braces journey is a little different, but one thing is always true: your commitment makes a huge difference. At Connolly Orthodontics, we’re here to support you from the first appointment to the moment your braces come off and long after, through your retention phase.

If you’re ready to start your smile journey, or you want to learn more about your expected timeline, schedule a free consultation with our team. We’ll guide you through each step with clarity, care, and encouragement.

Your future smile is worth every month, and we’re excited to help you get there.