If you’re considering braces or you just started treatment, you’ve probably spent some time scrolling through before-and-after photos online, trying to imagine what your own smile transformation might look like. It’s one of the most exciting parts of orthodontics, seeing how dramatically teeth can change and picturing yourself with that confident, aligned smile.
Here’s what you need to know upfront: orthodontic braces can correct a wide range of issues including crowding, spacing, overbites, underbites, crossbites, and misaligned bites. The transformation process typically takes 12 to 36 months depending on case complexity, and the results can be life-changing both functionally and aesthetically.
At Freedman & Haas Orthodontics, we take before-and-after photos for every patient, not just to celebrate the transformation, but to track progress and ensure treatment is moving as planned. Let’s dive deeper into what braces can fix, what realistic transformations look like, and what factors influence your before-and-after results.
What Braces Can Fix: Before and After Results
Braces aren’t just about making teeth look straighter in photos, though that’s certainly a benefit many patients love. Orthodontic treatment addresses functional problems that affect how you chew, speak, and maintain oral health over time.
Crowding
Crowded teeth are one of the most common reasons people get braces. When teeth don’t have enough room in the jaw, they overlap, twist, or push out of alignment. Before braces, crowded teeth can be difficult to clean, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease. They can also make smiling feel self-conscious.
After braces, crowded teeth are properly aligned and spaced. Teeth fit comfortably in the arch, they’re easier to brush and floss, and the smile looks wider and more balanced. The transformation is often dramatic, especially in cases of severe crowding.
Spacing and Gaps
Gaps between teeth can occur naturally or develop after tooth loss or shifting. While some people like the look of a small gap, larger spaces can affect bite function and cause food to get stuck between teeth.
After braces, gaps are closed using controlled tooth movement. The teeth are brought together evenly, creating a more uniform smile. In some cases, spacing issues are combined with other alignment problems, so closing gaps is just one part of the overall transformation.
Overbite
An overbite occurs when the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth too much. A small amount of overlap is normal, but excessive overbite can cause wear on the front teeth, jaw discomfort, and even speech issues.
Before-and-after photos of overbite correction often show a dramatic change in facial profile. After braces, the upper and lower teeth come together in a healthier position, reducing strain on the jaw and improving overall bite function.
Underbite
An underbite is the opposite of an overbite, the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth. This can make chewing difficult and can contribute to jaw pain or TMJ issues.
Correcting an underbite with braces often requires strategic tooth movement and sometimes additional appliances or even surgery in severe cases. After treatment, the bite is balanced, the jaw is more comfortable, and the smile looks more harmonious.
Crossbite
A crossbite occurs when some upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth instead of outside. This can happen on one side or both sides of the mouth and can lead to uneven jaw growth, tooth wear, and gum recession.
Braces correct crossbites by moving teeth into their proper positions. In younger patients, a palatal expander may be used to widen the upper jaw first. After treatment, the bite is corrected, and the risk of future jaw and tooth problems is reduced.
Open Bite
An open bite means the upper and lower front teeth don’t touch when the mouth is closed. This can affect speech, chewing, and can even contribute to TMJ problems.
Correcting an open bite often requires careful planning and sometimes involves elastics or other appliances in addition to braces. After treatment, the front teeth come together properly, improving function and appearance.
Timeline: Before and After Braces Journey
One of the most common questions we hear is, “How long until I see results?” The truth is that every case is different, but understanding the typical timeline can help you know what to expect at each stage of treatment.
Months 0 to 3: The Adjustment Phase
The first few months of braces are all about getting used to the appliances and allowing teeth to begin their initial movement. You might not see dramatic changes yet, but your teeth are already shifting. This is when soreness is most common, especially after adjustments.
In before-and-after comparisons at this stage, changes are subtle but present. Severely rotated teeth often start to straighten, and small gaps may begin to open or close depending on the treatment plan.
Months 3 to 6: Visible Progress
By month three to six, most patients start noticing visible changes. Crowded front teeth begin to align, gaps start closing, and the overall arch shape starts to improve. This is the phase when friends and family might start commenting on how different your smile looks.
In photos, the transformation becomes more obvious. Teeth that were overlapping now have space between them, or teeth that were gapped are coming together. This is often the most motivating phase because progress feels real and exciting.
Months 6 to 12: Refinement
From six months onward, braces continue refining tooth positions. The movements become more precise, bite adjustments are made, and the smile continues to improve. Some patients finish treatment around the 12-month mark, especially if their case was relatively straightforward.
Before-and-after photos at this stage show significant transformation. Smiles are straighter, bites are more balanced, and confidence is noticeably higher.
Months 12 to 24: Advanced Corrections
For more complex cases, treatment may continue into the 12 to 24 month range or beyond. This is when bite issues, space management, and final detailing happen. These later months ensure that teeth aren’t just straight but stable and functional.
Patients sometimes feel impatient during this phase, but it’s critical for long-term success. The final months of braces are what prevent relapse and ensure your smile lasts.
Months 24 to 36: Finishing Touches
Some cases, especially those involving significant bite correction or jaw growth management, take 24 to 36 months. These extended timelines aren’t a sign of slow progress, they’re a sign of comprehensive, careful treatment.
By the end of treatment, the transformation is complete. Before-and-after photos show not just straighter teeth but healthier bites, improved facial balance, and often a boost in self-confidence that’s hard to quantify but easy to see.
Metal Braces Before and After Results
Traditional metal braces are still the most common orthodontic treatment, and for good reason. They’re incredibly effective, reliable, and capable of handling virtually any orthodontic problem from simple alignment to complex bite corrections.
Before-and-after results with metal braces are often dramatic. Because metal braces provide precise control over tooth movement, orthodontists can achieve very specific, predictable outcomes. This makes them ideal for cases involving significant crowding, severe rotations, or complicated bite issues.
One of the benefits of metal braces is that they work continuously, 24 hours a day, which means treatment progresses steadily without relying on patient compliance the way removable aligners do. For teens and younger patients, this consistency often leads to excellent results.
In before-and-after photos, metal braces transformations frequently show complete smile makeovers. Teeth that were severely overlapped, twisted, or gapped become beautifully aligned and evenly spaced. Bites that were dysfunctional become healthy and balanced.
The perception of metal braces has also changed significantly in recent years. Modern metal braces are smaller, more comfortable, and less noticeable than the bulky braces of decades past. Many patients embrace them as part of their orthodontic journey and look back on photos with pride rather than embarrassment.
If you’re worried metal braces will look too obvious in photos during treatment just remember that braces are temporary, but your final smile is permanent. Plus, many teens and adults choose colorful elastic ties or school colors to make braces feel fun and expressive rather than something to hide. And when you look back at those photos years from now, you’ll see them as part of your journey, not something to regret.
Ceramic and Clear Braces Transformations
Ceramic braces, also called clear braces, are a popular option for patients who want the effectiveness of traditional braces with a more discreet appearance. The brackets are made from tooth-colored or clear materials that blend in with the teeth, making them far less noticeable than metal braces.
Before-and-after results with ceramic braces are just as impressive as metal braces because they work on the same principles. The difference is purely aesthetic during treatment. Patients who choose ceramic braces often do so because they’re concerned about appearance in professional settings, school photos, or social situations.
One thing to keep in mind with ceramic braces is that the elastic ties can stain if you drink a lot of coffee, tea, or eat foods with strong pigments. However, these ties are changed at every adjustment appointment, so staining is temporary and manageable with good habits.
Furthermore, ceramic braces tend to cost slightly more than metal braces, typically adding a few hundred to a thousand dollars to the overall treatment fee. For many patients, the added discretion is worth the extra cost.
In before-and-after transformations, ceramic braces deliver the same high-quality results as metal braces. Teeth align beautifully, bites improve, and the final smile is just as healthy and attractive. The main difference is that during treatment, the braces themselves are less visible in photos and daily interactions.
Before and After: Adult vs Teen Orthodontic Results
Orthodontic treatment works for both teens and adults, but there are some differences in how treatment progresses and what results look like.
Teen Braces Transformations
Teens are still growing, which gives orthodontists an advantage. We can sometimes guide jaw growth, correct bite issues more easily, and take advantage of natural development to achieve excellent results. Teen braces before-and-after photos often show dramatic transformations because we’re not just moving teeth, we’re working with active growth.
Teens also tend to heal and adapt more quickly than adults. Teeth move slightly faster, and discomfort after adjustments often resolves more quickly. That said, compliance can be a challenge with teens, especially if they’re wearing elastics or removable appliances. When teens follow instructions, results are predictable and impressive.
Adult Braces Transformations
Adult braces are becoming increasingly common, and the results can be just as stunning as teen treatment. The main difference is that adults are no longer growing, so certain bite corrections may take longer or require different approaches.
Adult teeth sometimes move slightly more slowly than teen teeth because the bone is denser and less adaptable. Treatment timelines for adults are often similar to teens, but complex cases may take a bit longer. Additionally, adults are more likely to have existing dental work like crowns, bridges, or missing teeth, which can complicate treatment planning.
On the positive side, adult patients tend to be highly motivated and compliant. They wear elastics as instructed, attend appointments on time, and take excellent care of their braces. This level of responsibility often leads to very successful outcomes.
In before-and-after comparisons, adult transformations are often life-changing. Many adults have lived for years feeling self-conscious about their smiles, and finally achieving straight, healthy teeth can have a profound impact on confidence and quality of life.
What Affects Your Before and After Results
Not every orthodontic transformation is the same, and several factors influence what your specific before-and-after results will look like.
Complexity of Your Case
Simple alignment issues can produce beautiful results relatively quickly, while complex cases involving bite correction, jaw discrepancies, or significant crowding may take longer and require more comprehensive treatment. Your orthodontist will explain your case complexity and set realistic expectations from the start.
Compliance During Treatment
Following instructions matters. Wearing elastics as prescribed, avoiding hard and sticky foods, maintaining excellent oral hygiene, and attending all appointments on schedule all contribute to better, faster results. Poor compliance can extend treatment time and compromise the final outcome.
Age and Bone Density
As mentioned earlier, teens often see faster tooth movement because their bones are still developing. Adults can achieve the same final results, but the timeline may be longer. Age isn’t a barrier to great results, it just affects the pace.
Oral Health
Healthy teeth and gums respond better to orthodontic treatment. If you have cavities, gum disease, or other dental issues, those need to be addressed before or during orthodontic treatment. Good oral hygiene during braces is essential for preventing new problems.
Genetics and Tooth Anatomy
Every person’s teeth, roots, and bone structure are unique. Some teeth move more easily than others, and some bite relationships are more challenging to correct. Your orthodontist plans treatment based on your specific anatomy to achieve the best possible outcome.
Retention After Braces
The before-and-after photos you see at the end of active treatment aren’t the final chapter. Retention is critical for maintaining results. If you don’t wear retainers as instructed, teeth can shift back toward their original positions, undoing the transformation. Lifelong retention is the key to lifelong results.
Maintaining Your Results After Braces Removal
Getting braces off and seeing your transformed smile is incredibly exciting, but the work isn’t over. Retention is what ensures your before-and-after results last for years to come.
Immediately after braces are removed, you’ll be given retainers. These may be removable clear retainers, traditional wire retainers, or bonded retainers that are fixed to the back of your teeth. Your orthodontist will explain which type is best for your case and how often to wear them.
In the beginning, you’ll typically wear retainers full-time, meaning all day and night except when eating or brushing. After a few months, most patients transition to nighttime-only wear. This schedule can vary depending on your specific case and how stable your bite is.
Here’s the reality: teeth want to shift. Even after months or years in braces, teeth have a “memory” and will try to move back toward their original positions if not held in place by retainers. Wearing retainers as instructed is the only way to prevent this.
We’ve seen patients who stopped wearing retainers after a year or two and then came back years later with teeth that had shifted significantly. In some cases, they needed braces again to correct the relapse. This is completely avoidable with consistent retainer wear.
Furthermore, retainers don’t last forever. Clear retainers typically need to be replaced every one to three years depending on wear and care. Bonded retainers can last many years but should be checked regularly to make sure they’re still securely attached.
If you hate wearing your retainer because it feels uncomfortable you have to know that discomfort usually means you’re not wearing it consistently enough. When you wear retainers every night, your teeth stay in place and the retainer fits comfortably. If you skip nights, teeth shift slightly and the retainer feels tight when you put it back in. Consistency makes retention easy.
Conclusion
Orthodontic braces before and after transformations can be dramatic, life-changing, and incredibly rewarding. Whether you’re correcting crowding, spacing, bite issues, or a combination of problems, braces provide predictable, reliable results that improve both the function and appearance of your smile.
The timeline varies depending on case complexity, but most patients see visible progress within the first few months and complete treatment within 12 to 36 months. Metal braces, ceramic braces, and even Invisalign all produce excellent transformations when used appropriately for the right cases.
What matters most is choosing an experienced orthodontist, following treatment instructions, and committing to retention after braces come off. Your before-and-after photos will reflect not just straighter teeth but a healthier bite, better oral health, and a smile you’re proud to show.
At Freedman & Haas Orthodontics in West Palm Beach, Wellington, and Indiantown, we’re passionate about creating beautiful transformations for every patient. If you’re ready to see what your own before-and-after could look like, schedule a complimentary consultation with us. We’ll evaluate your smile, show you what’s possible, and create a personalized treatment plan that fits your goals and your life.