Life in our area runs on bell schedules, clinic hours, game times, and I-85. Your orthodontic treatment timeline should, too. We plan around band practice in Mebane, clinical rotations at UNC, and summer weeks at Hyco Lake.
With Smith & Heymann Orthodontics, you get a start date, target windows, and smart backups if a bracket pops or an aligner goes missing. Dr. Smith, Dr. Heymann, and Dr. Skillestad keep the plan flexible where it helps and firm where it counts, so progress continues even when your routine shifts.
What Your First Two Visits Look Like
Your first steps set the pace for everything that follows. These visits are focused on answers and a smart plan.
Visit 1: Records And Clarity
Before the checklist, here is what to expect in plain language.
We take digital scans or impressions, photos, and X-rays. You will get an initial discussion of goals, whether you want the subtle look of Invisalign or the precision of braces. Questions about timing around a big UNC semester or a sports season are welcome here.
Visit 2: Your Custom Plan
This is where we review options, fees, and scheduling details. You will see how appointments line up with your calendar, whether that means lunch-hour checks near downtown Durham or late-afternoon visits before practice in Mebane. We confirm which treatment fits best and start when you are ready.
What Shapes Your Orthodontic Treatment Timeline
Your orthodontic treatment timeline will be personalized specifically for your needs. Teeth, bite, growth, habits, and consistency each play a role. The ranges below are realistic rather than generic.
Case Types And Typical Ranges
These windows reflect how your orthodontic treatment timeline usually plays out in our offices when home care and appointments stay on track.
- Mild crowding or spacing: 6 to 12 months with Invisalign or braces, ideal for small rotations or gaps when trays are worn consistently and brackets stay intact.
- Moderate crowding or spacing: 12 to 18 months, often a choice between braces or Invisalign with attachments, with check-ins every 6 to 10 weeks to keep momentum.
- Bite correction, such as overbite, underbite, or crossbite, typically takes 18 to 30 months. However, more complex bite changes may require extended elastic wear or staged detailing, extending the treatment period closer to 36 months.
- Early orthodontics for growing kids, Phase 1: 9 to 18 months to guide growth, create space, and make Phase 2 shorter and simpler later on.
How Timing Compares With Braces Versus Invisalign
Both work on the same biology. Damon braces can be efficient for rotations and bite changes. Invisalign offers flexibility, especially for college students in Chapel Hill or busy parents commuting from Roxboro. Wear time matters. Aligner success requires an actual 22 hours per day. Braces require careful cleaning and compliance with elastics.
The Scheduling Factor
Most check-ins are every 6 to 10 weeks. We help you cluster visits around school calendars, such as Durham Public Schools breaks or UNC finals. If you travel, we can frontload aligners or adjust braces intervals briefly. Skipped visits extend treatment. Please notify us promptly if you need to adjust a date, and we will ensure your timeline remains protected.
Week 1, Month 1, Month 3: What To Expect
Understanding the first ninety days makes the rest of the process feel simpler.
The First Week
Before the details, know that mild soreness is normal.
- Days 1 to 3: Tender teeth and a pressure feeling. Softer foods help.
- Days 4 to 7: Comfort improves. Brushing and flossing routines settle in.
- Aligners: Speak clearly by day 3. Keep a travel case for meals on Franklin Street.
- Braces: Use orthodontic wax if a spot rubs. Call us if a wire is poking.
The First Month
- You will notice tiny gaps closing or rotations beginning.
- Elastics, if prescribed, start to guide the bite.
- Aligner users switch trays every 7 to 10 days as directed.
- Photos at home help us monitor between visits if you are away at the Tanger Outlets area in Mebane for the weekend.
By Three Months
Here is what most patients see:
- Alignment is visibly improving in photos.
- Speech with aligners feels natural.
- Soreness is typically limited to the day after an adjustment or the day a new tray is introduced.
- Habits are formed, which is the single best predictor of staying on time.
How To Keep The Clock Moving
A few simple habits are the difference between finishing on time and adding months.
- Wear elastics exactly as prescribed. Removing them for a social event on Franklin Street is fine for a few hours, not for days.
- Protect your appliances. Sticky or hard foods extend treatment by causing repairs.
- Keep aligners in for 22 hours. Store them in a case, not a napkin, at Eno River picnic spots.
- Brush and floss thoroughly. Clean teeth move predictably.
- Tell us quickly if something feels off. Early fixes are fast fixes.
If Something Breaks Or Goes Off Track
Emergencies are uncommon and manageable.
- Braces: If a bracket loosens, save it if possible and call us. If a wire pokes, place wax and schedule a quick repair.
- Invisalign: If you lose a tray, follow our guidance by moving to the next or previous set and then contact us.
- Missed visit: Reschedule soon. A single skipped visit is recoverable. Multiple missed visits extend the time.
Frequently Asked Timing Questions
These are the questions we hear most from neighbors across the Triangle.
Will Aligners Be Faster Than Braces For Me?
Speed depends on your case and consistency. Mild to moderate crowding often improves quickly with aligners, provided the trays are worn for 22 hours daily. Complex rotations or bite corrections may finish faster with braces plus elastics. Your plan will reflect the route that gets you to the best result with the least friction.
Can I Shorten Treatment With Propel, Vibration, Or “Accelerators”?
Adjuncts may help with comfort or aligner seating. True acceleration varies widely by person and case type. Biology sets a safe speed limit for moving teeth. We will be candid about what is worth your time and what is not.
How Often Will I Need To Come In?
Expect every 6 to 10 weeks, with flexibility around school calendars, travel, and work. Virtual check-ins are possible for specific aligner stages if you are out of town.
Let Us Help With Your Next Step
Clarity makes treatment easier. If you want a timeline that works around Durham Bulls home games, a UNC semester, or commutes between Mebane and Chapel Hill, schedule a free consultation with Dr. Smith, Dr. Heymann, or Dr. Skillestad. Your orthodontic treatment timeline will be mapped to real life from day one, then adjusted as life changes.
