There are three main stages in orthodontics. Before we understand how long orthodontics takes, let’s understand the three main stages in orthodontics. The first stage aligns and straightens the teeth. The second stage, internalizing the front teeth, closing the extraction gap, and adjusting the posterior tooth relationship. The third stage is the fine adjustment of tooth position and occlusal relationship. Each stage of orthodontics can vary in length depending on the degree of malocclusion and other factors. What are the reasons that affect the length of orthodontic treatment? The degree of malocclusion, the different choices of braces, the individual’s dental situation, whether or not teeth are extracted, the patient’s level of cooperation, age, etc. all have a bearing on the length of orthodontic treatment. Orthodontics is not the faster the better. Orthodontics requires a gentle and long-lasting orthodontic force that does not exceed capillary pressure, a force of such strength that can accomplish tooth movement without harming the tooth tissue. If the length of orthodontic treatment is pursued blindly, the teeth may be damaged. The dentist’s recommendation is generally that orthodontics should take at least 1-3 years, and even more than 3 years for complex malocclusions, not including the time to wear retainers after orthodontic treatment is completed. Therefore, the exact duration of orthodontics varies from person to person, and there is no uniform standard, which mainly depends on the treatment plan formulated by the doctor and the patient’s own dental condition and cooperation.