Is it normal to have had orthodontia for 5 years, and still not have it off?

I'm 13 and I've had braces, expanders and retainers since I was 8, and I apparently have another year to go. Is that normal, or do I just have a bad orthodontist? Cuz I feel like everyone else has their braces/retainers off within a year at most.

It is normal for the treatment to extend to 5 or 6 years when you have had two phase orthodontic treatment. Phase I is interceptive treatment, such as the expander that you had, and that treatment often begins about 8 years old. This phase creates a better bone formation for your teeth to fit properly.

Phase II is the comprehensive orthodontic treatment, all the braces are on the teeth, and that can't be done until all the permanent teeth erupt--around age 12. From then on, straightening all the teeth will take from one to two years.

So yes, it is normal, and common for treatment to take that long. Sometimes it burns a patient out if they haven't had a little bit of a break in between phases. The good part is, at least your are nearly finished.

depending on the extent of the case, it may be necessary.

Also, you may have bad hygiene. Inflamed gums (gingivitis) slows down tooth movement. do you get yelled at by the hygienist at each visit? is there decay around your brackets?

Everyone is different. You must have been an extreme case to have braces at such a young age. At 8, you still haven't lost all your baby teeth. My grandson is 9 and only has 8 permanent teeth, one just coming in. I think that's way too young not to mention not enough permanent teeth to warrant braces.

The more movement of the teeth that is needed, the longer you'll have to wear your braces and such. My niece had braces and now has a permanent retainer on her bottom teeth. She wore her braces and such for about 3 years. And hers was not an extreme case, she just had gaps between her teeth.

yes some people have braces for 15 years.