Flared teeth, also known as proclined or protruding teeth, describe a condition where the upper front teeth angle outward toward the lips instead of standing upright. Correcting this misalignment involves moving the entire tooth, including the crown and the root, through the surrounding jawbone. This movement is achieved by applying consistent, gentle pressure, which signals the body to remodel the bone using specialized cells. Because bone remodeling is a gradual biological response, the overall treatment duration is highly individualized and depends on the specific anatomy and complexity of the patient’s case.
Factors That Determine Treatment Duration
The single greatest influence on the timeline is the severity of the flaring and the nature of its underlying cause. Mild outward tilting requires significantly less time to correct compared to severe protrusions that involve substantial bite problems. The distinction between a dental issue and a skeletal issue is also important. Dental flaring, where only the teeth are misaligned, is typically corrected faster than skeletal flaring, which involves a jaw size mismatch.
Another significant factor is the patient’s age. Adolescent patients often experience faster tooth movement because their jawbones are less dense and more flexible. Adult bones are fully calcified, making movement more resistant and resulting in longer treatment periods. The denser bone structure requires a slower application of force to prevent damage to the tooth roots.
Patient compliance plays a direct role in minimizing the treatment timeline. Clear aligner therapy requires trays to be worn for at least 22 hours per day, and failure to meet this requirement will delay tooth movement. Consistently wearing prescribed orthodontic elastics is also necessary to correct the bite relationship. Poor adherence to instructions can lead to setbacks, extending the overall time spent in active treatment.
Typical Timelines for Orthodontic Correction
For mild to moderate flaring that is primarily a dental alignment issue, the active correction period typically falls within 12 to 24 months. This time frame varies based on the chosen appliance and the complexity of the required root movement.
Traditional and ceramic braces are often the most reliable method for complex cases, especially those requiring significant root repositioning common in severe flaring. For moderate-to-severe flaring, the typical timeline for active treatment with fixed braces ranges from 18 to 30 months. Braces offer the precise control needed to retract the flared teeth and move their roots into stable alignment.
Clear aligners, such as Invisalign, are highly effective for correcting mild-to-moderate flaring, with a typical active treatment time of 12 to 24 months. Although aligners are a discreet alternative, they may take longer than braces for severe root correction because the plastic trays have less control over complex movements. For very minor cases or relapse, limited-treatment options may be completed between 6 and 12 months. This accelerated timeline is only feasible when the correction involves minor tipping of the crown, not extensive root movement.
The Critical Role of the Retention Phase
The mandatory retention phase begins once the teeth are in their desired position and the appliances are removed. This phase is non-negotiable for long-term success. Newly moved teeth are highly unstable because the surrounding bone and tissues have not yet fully reorganized and solidified around the new root location.
Retainers are appliances designed to hold the teeth firmly in place, preventing relapse—the tendency of the teeth to drift back toward their original flared position. The initial part of this phase typically requires full-time retainer wear for six to twelve months while bone density increases and surrounding tissues stabilize the teeth.
Following the initial full-time period, wear is reduced to nightly or part-time use, which must be maintained indefinitely. Natural jaw growth, aging, and daily habits continue to exert forces on the teeth throughout life. Retainers are considered a lifelong commitment to ensure the correction is not wasted.