Why is my friend's braces so slow?

We started orthodontic treatment for a 22-year-old young lady in the middle of last year. By the year end school holidays, she introduced us her 13-year-old younger brother to have his teeth straightened.

Last week, both brother and sister came for their orthodontic adjustment. As we treated the younger brother, the young lady related that her classmate started her braces at about the same time as her brother but her friend's extraction spaces are still very visible as compared to her brother's extraction gaps. She commented that her brother's treatment was progressing very rapidly.

We told her that yes, her brother's treatment was going smoothly. However, to compare her brother's treatment with her friend's treatment was like comparing apples with oranges.

Firstly, her friend's dental condition may be different from her brother's condition.

Secondly, the age difference would partially account for the discrepancy in treatment progress.

Thirdly, the treatment objectives may be different.

As such, casual comparisons like this may give rise to unnecessary misunderstanding regarding treatment. We must always remember that each patient is an individual and treatment is customised for each patient.