What is the longest time to wear braces?

[Anonymous]

I'm 18 and my teeth are really bad and I have to wear braces but I'm afraid doctor may say 5 or 6 years.

[kaylaS91]

The doctor won't say 5-6 years. The maximum amount I've heard of (as well as had for myself) was ~2 years if we're talking about having just braces. It might go a bit longer than 2 years if the orthodontist adds another contraption like an expander and whatnot but even then, I can't imagine the time-span surpassing 2.5 years.

The straightening process, or pushing your teeth to be more aligned or 'straight' is something that can't take much longer than that, assuming you go in to get the braces tightened or readjusted on a monthly basis.

[Anonymous]

I don't think the doctor will keep them on you for that long! The longest I've heard is 3 1/2 years.
As a person who currently wears braces, braces aren't that bad and let's just say it isn't impossible to chew gum or eat a somewhat hard candy if you have been with braces for a while. Its like you get used to having them there that you learn ways of not getting certain things stuck in them, etc. Plus, you can get them on Christmas colors for the season! :D

[Dred1614returns]

It varies by case.