The Process of Getting Braces: What to Expect in New York, NY

Getting braces is a significant step toward improving your smile and your long-term oral health. At Modern Orthodontics, we guide patients through every stage of orthodontic care so there are no surprises along the way. From your first consultation to the day your braces come off, the process is structured, personalized, and designed to fit into busy New York City lives.

Whether you are considering braces for yourself or your child, understanding what to expect can make the experience more comfortable. With offices in Tribeca, Harlem, and the Bronx, our orthodontic specialists provide advanced, patient-focused care using modern technology and flexible scheduling.

This Article will address

• The process of getting braces from consultation through retainers
• Whether you can walk in and get braces the same day
• How long it takes to put braces on
• How long braces treatment usually takes
• How long braces last, both on your teeth and long-term results
• What happens during a typical braces appointment

Why Getting Braces Is a Step-by-Step Process

Orthodontic treatment is carefully planned because teeth need to move gradually and safely. Braces are not a one-visit solution. Each step builds on the one before it to protect your teeth, gums, and jaw while creating predictable, lasting results.

At Modern Orthodontics, treatment is led by orthodontic specialists with advanced training beyond dental school. This expertise allows us to design precise treatment plans using digital scans and advanced imaging, ensuring your braces work efficiently while minimizing discomfort.

Can I Just Walk In and Get Braces?

Most patients cannot simply walk in and have braces placed immediately. Orthodontic treatment begins with a consultation so we can evaluate your bite, alignment, and overall oral health.

In some cases, same-day starts may be possible, depending on your treatment needs, available records, and the feasibility of our schedule. More often, a walk-in visit becomes an evaluation followed by a scheduled placement appointment.

Before braces, we typically need:

• A comprehensive orthodontic exam
• Digital photos and imaging
• X-rays or 3D scans
• A personalized treatment plan

This planning stage is essential for safe, effective results. To get started, patients can call, text, or book online at our Tribeca, Harlem, or Bronx locations.

What Happens Before You Get Braces?

Your Initial Orthodontic Consultation

Your first visit focuses on understanding your goals and evaluating your smile. During this appointment, we:

• Review bite alignment, spacing, and crowding
• We may take digital scans and advanced images for precise planning
• Discuss treatment options such as braces or Invisalign
• Provide an estimated treatment timeline

This visit is also an opportunity to ask questions and feel confident about the plan ahead.

Treatment Planning and Getting Ready to Start

Once your plan is finalized, we prepare for placement. Some patients may need routine dental care completed beforehand, such as cleanings or addressing cavities. We also work with school and work schedules to make starting treatment as convenient as possible. Regular cleanings with the dentist during your treatment are necessary.

How Long Does It Take to Put Braces On?

In most cases, placing braces takes 40 minutes to one hour. The exact time depends on the complexity of your treatment.

During this appointment, you can expect:

• Thorough cleaning and preparation of your teeth
• Careful bonding of brackets
• Placement of the archwire
• Instructions for care and comfort

After placement, it is common to feel pressure or tightness, with mild soreness developing later that day or the next.

What Happens During the Braces Placement Appointment?

Step-by-Step: How Braces Are Put On

Braces placement follows a precise sequence:

• Teeth are cleaned and prepared
• Brackets are bonded to each tooth
• Your first archwire is usually placed to guide movement
• Your colors are placed, if you opt to have colors
• Bite and comfort are checked before you leave

Our team takes time to ensure everything feels secure and that you understand how to care for your braces.

Does Getting Braces Hurt?

Most patients describe the sensation as pressure rather than pain. Soreness is common during the first few days as teeth begin to move, then gradually improves.  For most people, they are much more comfortable after the third day of having braces.

To stay comfortable:

• Eat soft foods initially
• Use orthodontic wax for irritation
• Follow care instructions provided by our team

What Happens During a Typical Braces Appointment?

After placement, you will return for regular follow-up visits to keep treatment on track.

What Happens at Adjustment Visits

Adjustment appointments allow us to:

• Check tooth movement and progress
• Change wires or elastics as needed
• Change colors
• Make precise adjustments to guide alignment

These visits are usually brief and help ensure steady, healthy progress.

How Often Are Braces Appointments?

Most patients visit every four to eight weeks. Appointment frequency depends on treatment complexity and how teeth respond to movement. Consistent visits are key to staying on schedule.

How Long Do Braces Take?

Treatment length varies from patient to patient. Many people wear braces for a period influenced by several factors, including:

• The severity of crowding or spacing
• Bite correction needs
• The presence or absence of impacted teeth
• Age and how bone responds to movement
• Consistent use of elastics and appliances
• Avoiding missed appointments or broken brackets

Flexible scheduling at our NYC offices helps patients stay consistent and avoid unnecessary delays.

How Long Do Braces Last?

This question has two important answers.

How Long Braces Stay On Your Teeth

Braces remain in place for the duration of active treatment, which varies based on individual needs and treatment goals.

How Long Results Last After Braces

Once braces come off, retainers play a critical role. Teeth naturally want to shift back, and retainers help maintain your results long term. Wearing retainers indefinitely as directed protects the time and effort invested in treatment.

What Happens After Braces Come Off?

Retainers and Long-Term Maintenance

After braces, retainers help stabilize your smile. We provide guidance on:

• When and how often to wear retainers
• How to care for them properly
• Follow-up visits to monitor retention

Keeping Your Smile Healthy in NYC

Busy schedules, commuting, school, and work are all part of daily life in New York. Consistent retainer use and routine dental care help keep your smile healthy and aligned for years to come.

Ready to Start Braces in New York, NY?

The process of getting braces is structured, manageable, and well-supported when guided by an experienced orthodontic team. At Modern Orthodontics, our specialists use advanced technology, digital scanning, and personalized care to make treatment as efficient and comfortable as possible.

With locations in Tribeca, Harlem, and the Bronx, we make orthodontic care accessible across New York City. Call, text, or book online to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward a healthier, more confident smile.

Sources

• Healthline, Dental and Oral Health Education
• American Association of Orthodontists
• MouthHealthy (ADA)

Dr. Maggie Romao

Born and raised in Brazil and a dual graduate of Columbia University (undergraduate and dental school), Dr. Romao completed her orthodontic specialty training at New York University in 2007. At Modern Orthodontics, she brings a warm, patient-centred approach to every smile transformation—drawing on her global background to connect with adults, teens and children alike. When she’s not helping patients achieve confident, healthy smiles, she enjoys life on the Upper West Side of New York with her three wonderful