Q&A: Are braces permanent? How long does it last?

Quản trị viên

21/10/2026

Braces are a method of using appliances such as brackets, wires, and transparent trays to apply force and move teeth to the correct position to improve aesthetics and chewing function. However, many customers still wonder, "Will the results of braces treatment be stable? Are braces permanent?". In the article below, we will clarify this issue.

NỘI DUNG BÀI VIẾT

What are braces?

To answer the question "Are braces permanent?" We need to clearly understand what braces are. As stated above, braces are a treatment that moves teeth to the correct position on the bite curve, corrects the problem of malocclusion, gaps, crowding, overbite, and underbite, bringing the teeth to the position of the occlusal cusps, chewing well, improving the aesthetics of the smile and profile of the face.

**Learning about braces is a need of many people when encountering tooth misalignments**

The mechanism of tooth movement is the process of bone resorption that occurs. continuously when force is applied. When the teeth move in any direction, there will be a ligament compression area at that location and bone loss will occur. On the contrary, on the opposite side is the ligament stretching area, where there will be a process of bone formation.

Are braces permanent?

Stability after braces is a huge concern of many customers. Whether braces are permanent or not depends on many factors:

**Many people have the same question as to whether braces are permanent**

Patient's cooperation:

As we know, braces go through many stages, including: straightening, flattening the dental arch, closing the space, fine-tuning, finishing and maintaining. To get good, long-term stable treatment results, patients need to cooperate completely, comply with all instructions of the treating doctor, have scheduled follow-up examinations and practice thorough oral hygiene.

At the end of treatment, each patient usually has a maintenance period of 2 to 3 years. During this time, the doctor may prescribe different types of retainers such as clear retainers, Hawley jaws, and lingual retainers. Regardless of the type of maintenance, you need to follow it absolutely – to dentistry Reattach the inside retainer as soon as it comes off, wear a transparent retainer or Hawley retainer for the prescribed time (wear evenly at night/wear all day).

If you comply with treatment, the results of braces can be stable for a very long time, even permanently if you maintain good chewing habits and do not experience any tooth trauma.

Teeth and bite condition at the end of treatment

**Good orthodontic results will maintain stable results after braces**

A well-finished orthodontic case is one with absolute occlusion of the posterior teeth, class I occlusion of teeth No. 3 and 6 (in the case of tooth No. 8 extraction, extraction of premolars in both jaws, no tooth extraction) or occlusion of 3 class I, R6 class II/III with complete cusps in the case of asymmetric tooth extraction in both jaws (only upper premolar extraction/lower premolar extraction only). Besides, the tooth root is completely located in the spongy bone area (not touching the cortical bone), the gap and the tooth extraction space are completely closed. With this bite, the risk of recurrence after braces is minimal - you will maintain this result permanently if you follow good maintenance.

Original condition

Most cases of malocclusion due to crowding often have the lowest recurrence rate after creating space to spread evenly. Therefore, the results of braces treatment are maintained permanently

Cases of mild overbite or underbite treated without tooth extraction or distant wisdom tooth extraction also have a low recurrence rate because there is no bone scar left in the middle of the jaw. Braces results are also maintained for a long time if the patient complies well.

**Crowded and crooked teeth can remain permanently after braces**

Case buck teeth/ Severe underbite with treatment that includes extraction of premolars has a higher recurrence rate (does not return to the old condition but may be split due to bone scars at the extracted tooth socket). But if you wear the retainer correctly and for the prescribed time, the results will be stable and long-term.

In cases where patients have thin slits due to tongue thrusting, they have the highest recurrence rate if this bad habit is not eliminated. If you do not maintain it as prescribed and continue to have bad habits, relapse will occur almost immediately. On the contrary, if bad habits are eliminated and maintained after treatment, the results of braces will be permanent. In addition, if you do not understand clearly What are dental implants? Please ask doctor Lac Viet Intech for detailed advice!

Hopefully the above article has helped you better understand the stability of braces treatment. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below this article or contact Lac Viet Intech Dental's hotline directly for answers.