If you have been putting off scheduling an orthodontist appointment because you are not sure what to expect, you are not alone. Most people walk through the door with a mix of curiosity and nerves, and a lot of questions. One of the most common? How long do braces take to put on, and what even happens before that?
At Prince Orthodontics in American Fork, your first visit is built around one goal: making sure you leave with real answers and a clear picture of your options. No pressure, no confusion. Just a straightforward conversation about your smile and what treatment could look like for you.
What Actually Happens During Your Initial Consultation
The initial consultation is where everything starts. Think of it less as a medical appointment and more as a guided conversation about your smile. You will meet directly with Dr. Prince, a board-certified orthodontist who has been working as an orthodontist for over a decade, then the team will walk you through everything from start to finish.
Plan on about 45 to 60 minutes for your initial consultation. This will give the team time to take x-rays, perform the exam, and discuss future treatment options.
Consultation Breakdown
When you arrive, the front desk team will get you checked in and help you feel at home. The office has a welcoming, family-friendly feel that tends to put first-time patients at ease pretty quickly.
From there, you will move into digital X-rays and photos. These give Dr. Prince a complete picture of what is happening with your teeth, jaw alignment, and bite. It sounds clinical, but it is fast and entirely comfortable.
Next comes the exam itself. Dr. Prince will look at your bite, spacing, crowding, and overall alignment. Whether you are dealing with crooked teeth, misaligned teeth, or just a few stubborn gaps, he is not checking boxes here. He is building a personalized picture of what your smile needs and what the most effective path forward looks like.
After the exam, you will have a conversation about your goals. Whether you have always wanted a straighter smile, are dealing with a bite issue, or just want to understand your options, this is the time to ask everything on your mind.
By the end of the consultation, you will have a clear treatment plan, an estimated braces timeline, and a full cost breakdown with flexible financing options. This is also when Dr. Prince will explain which type of orthodontic treatment makes the most sense for your case. Some patients are great candidates for traditional metal braces. Others may prefer ceramic braces for a more discreet look, or clear aligners if they want something removable. Dr. Prince will help you understand the differences so you can choose what fits your life. And you are not committing to anything on the spot. The consultation is to learn what treatment plan will work best for you.
How Long Do Braces Take to Put On?
Once you have decided to move forward, you are probably wondering what the actual braces appointment looks like. How long do braces take to put on, and is it going to be a whole ordeal? The short answer: it usually takes between one and two hours, and it is much more manageable than most people expect.
Here is a general breakdown of how that appointment goes:
| Stage | What Happens | Estimated Time |
| Preparation | Teeth are cleaned and thoroughly dried | 10 to 15 minutes |
| Bracket Placement | Each bracket is carefully bonded to the surface of your teeth | 30 to 60 minutes |
| Wire Placement | The archwire is threaded through the brackets and secured | 15 to 30 minutes |
| Final Check | Bite is evaluated and you receive care instructions | 10 to 15 minutes |
The process itself is not painful. Most patients describe feeling some pressure during bracket and wire placement, but nothing sharp or alarming. The brackets are bonded one at a time and the wires are threaded and secured. The final adjustments at the end of the appointment are just a quick check to make sure your bite feels right and everything is properly in place. Any tenderness afterward typically shows up in the first few days as tooth movement begins and your teeth start responding to the new pressure, and it fades on its own.
Dr. Prince and his team will walk you through exactly what to expect before you leave that day, including how to care for your braces and when to come back for your first adjustment. For a deeper dive into daily life with braces, check out our blog: What Can You Eat With Braces?.
After Getting Your Braces On
The first few days at home are straightforward once you know what is normal. Mild soreness is common as your teeth begin responding to the new pressure, and soft foods like yogurt, pasta, and soup make that transition much easier. If any brackets feel sharp against your cheeks, a small piece of orthodontic wax can make a real difference until your mouth adjusts. Keeping up with good oral hygiene is also important from day one since brackets and wires create a few more places for food to hide, so your team will show you how to brush and floss effectively around them. Most patients feel back to normal within three to five days, and after that, braces become a pretty seamless part of daily life.
How the Braces Placement Appointment Fits Into Your Bigger Timeline
Getting braces on is a significant moment in your orthodontic journey, but it is really just one step in a longer process. Understanding the full picture helps make the whole experience feel less like a mystery.
| Phase | What to Expect | Typical Duration |
| Initial Consultation | Exam, X-rays, and personalized treatment planning | One visit, about an hour |
| Braces Placement | Brackets and wire are applied to your teeth | One to two hours |
| Active Treatment | Regular adjustments as teeth gradually shift into alignment | 12 to 24 months |
| Retention Phase | Retainers keep your results in place long term | Ongoing |
Treatment time for braces varies based on how complex your case is, but most patients in Utah are looking at somewhere between one and two years of active treatment. Dr. Prince will give you a realistic estimate during your initial consultation, so you are not going into it with vague timelines or guesswork.
What Happens During Active Treatment
Once your braces are on, you will come in for regular adjustments roughly every six to eight weeks. These visits are quick, usually 20 to 30 minutes, and they are where the real progress happens. Dr. Prince checks how your teeth are moving, makes adjustments to the wire, and keeps your treatment on track. Depending on your case, rubber bands may be added at some point during active treatment to help guide your bite into proper alignment. They are easy to use and your team will walk you through everything.
Treatment duration varies from person to person, but most patients are surprised by how manageable the process feels once they are in it. The first week or two takes some adjustment, but most people stop noticing their braces altogether after that. You will be able to see your teeth shifting over time, which tends to be one of the more motivating parts of the whole orthodontic journey.
Toward the end of active treatment, Dr. Prince will begin planning your retention phase. This is when braces come off and retainers take over the job of keeping your teeth in their new positions. It is an important part of protecting the investment you have made in your smile.
Why Patients in Utah Choose Prince Orthodontics
There are a lot of orthodontic offices in Utah County. What makes the experience at Prince Orthodontics different comes down to something pretty simple: you work with the same doctor from your first visit to your last.
In a lot of practices, patients rotate between providers or deal with frequent staff changes. At Prince Orthodontics, Dr. Prince is present and involved throughout your entire orthodontic journey. That consistency matters, especially for families who are managing treatment for multiple kids or adults going through braces for the first time.
It also means that when you have a question at a Tuesday adjustment appointment, you are asking the same person who built your treatment plan, not a rotating associate who has to pull up your chart to get context. That kind of continuity changes the whole feel of going to the orthodontist.
Families in Utah County come back for their second and third kids because they remember what the experience was like the first time. That track record of trust is something you feel from the moment you walk in.
Common Patient Questions
Not at all. The initial consultation involves X-rays, photos, and an exam.
Orthodontic treatment for adults is more common than ever, and there are options, including clear aligners, that are designed with adult patients in mind. Age is not a barrier to a great result.
No. Your consultation is informational. You walk away with a plan and can take whatever time you need to decide if and when you want to move forward.
Even in more complex cases, the placement appointment rarely goes beyond two hours. The variability tends to show up more in total treatment length than in the day you get your braces on.
Yes. Flexible financing options are available and will be reviewed in full during your consultation.
Ready to See What Your Smile Could Look Like?
Your first appointment at Prince Orthodontics will be simple, honest, and genuinely helpful. Whether you are curious about braces for yourself, your teenager, or someone in your family, the best place to start is a conversation.
To learn more about how braces actually work and what the process involves, check out our guide: How Do Braces Work? A Clear, Honest Guide for Patients.
Schedule your consultation today and take the first step toward a smile you feel good about every day.
