Speed of straightening with braces

Good morning,

Just a quick question.  My 16 yr old daughter got braces on her top teeth in April of this year (she'll get her bottom braces on in August).  It's now the end of June and the movement in her teeth is tremendous!  WOW.  They look perfectly straight now.  Why, if they've worked so fast.. does she have to keep them on for 2 years?  Why can't it be a shorter time with braces, then the next few years with a retainer if they're already straight?

Thanks in advance

[Kourosh Maddahi, DDS]

Dear Nlights,

Besides straightening the teeth, there are many other factors that have to be considered.  Main reason for an orthodontic treatment is to align the bite and also straighten the teeth. After the bite and the teeth are aligned, the braces are kept on for stabilization of the teeth for 6 months.  This is so that the teeth do not move as soon as the braces are removed.  There is a possibility that the braces do not have to stay on for two years but this is best evaluated by the orthodontist.

Dr. Maddahi

Kourosh Maddahi, DDS
General and Cosmetic Dentist
Beverly Hills, California