Many adults look at their smiles and consider orthodontic treatment, but do braces work for adults? Here, our orthodontists in Surrey share the pros and cons of getting braces as an adult and discuss what types of braces may be used.
Why do adults get braces?
Braces for adults not only help straighten teeth to address orthodontic issues, but they can also boost confidence once they are removed. Many adults find that having a straighter smile improves their self-esteem in daily life. This can have a profound impact on the overall quality of life.
While many people believe they are too old for braces, age should not be a deciding factor for orthodontic treatment. As long as your gums and jaw bones are healthy, it's never too late to achieve the smile you desire.
What are the benefits of straightening teeth with adult braces?
Braces can effectively and efficiently address oral health issues. Adults may seek orthodontic treatment for various reasons. These include:
- Straighter Teeth
- Easier Oral Hygiene
- Better Digestion
- Improved Speech
- Aesthetic Changes
What issues do braces address?
Traditional braces consist of a metal archwire supported by small square brackets on each tooth. These components work together, sometimes with the help of additional components like elastics, to apply pressure and guide teeth into their prescribed positions.
This helps to address issues such as:
Tooth Alignment: Adults may require braces as their teeth can shift due to age, injury, or bone loss. As teeth move, they may become crowded and misaligned.
Shifting After Previous Orthodontic Treatment: Many adults who wore braces in childhood often find that their teeth have shifted over time. This change can lead them to rethink the possibility of getting braces again to achieve a confident, straight smile.
Difficulties With Oral Hygiene: When teeth shift, cleaning them effectively can become challenging. If teeth are not cleaned properly, it may lead to oral health issues, such as tooth decay or cavities.
Jaw Discomfort: Jaw pain in adults may be linked to crooked teeth. Braces can be a helpful solution to straighten the teeth and relieve discomfort.
Aesthetic Concerns: Braces can help adults showcase a straighter smile, boosting their confidence.
Types of Braces
The term braces often evokes the image of metal wires and brackets from the past. While conventional metal braces are still a popular choice, many adults can now also achieve their orthodontic goals with lower profile treatment options.
Here are the orthodontic treatment options we offer here at Guildford Orthodontic Centre:
Invisalign – Clear Braces
Invisalign uses smooth, clear plastic aligners instead of metal wires and brackets. You’ll switch to a new set of aligners every two weeks and visit your orthodontist for quick checkups every four to six weeks. You can remove the aligners while eating, drinking, cleaning your teeth, or playing instruments, making it easy to integrate into your lifestyle.
Coloured Braces
Once you accept that you'll be in braces for a while, you can embrace the fun of adding colour!
Coloured braces have several parts, including brackets, an archwire, and elastics that fit around each bracket. Since elastics are changed every 4 to 6 weeks during your visits, you can choose a new colour each time!
Translucent Cosmetic Braces
Translucent cosmetic braces work like metal braces but use tooth-coloured brackets (and sometimes wires) to straighten teeth. These non-staining ceramic brackets blend with your natural teeth, making them less noticeable than metal braces, though not as 'invisible' as lingual braces or clear aligners.
In-Ovation® Mini-Metallic Braces
In-Ovation braces help you achieve a straighter, beautiful smile without ties or elastics.
At Guildford Orthodontic Centre, our discreet system delivers faster results without the need for tightening. With gentle forces, In-Ovation simplifies your path to a straighter smile.
Considerations When Getting Braces as an Adult
Generally, braces have a positive effect on adult teeth, but there are several factors to consider before starting orthodontic treatment as an adult. Here are some common questions we receive about these considerations when getting braces as an adult.
What is the cost of braces for adults?
The cost of braces for adults is comparable to that of teens and children and can vary depending on the extent of the treatment and the type of braces used. It's important to note that if you don’t have insurance that partially covers adult orthodontics, you will be responsible for the full cost. Exploring insurance options or financing plans may help make the cost of this process more manageable.
How will your lifestyle be affected by braces?
While wearing braces, you will need to have regular visits to the orthodontist for adjustments, and if you play sports, a mouthguard will be necessary to protect your orthodontic appliances. But did you know that having braces can impact other areas of your life as well?
During treatment with braces, you will need to avoid certain foods to protect your orthodontic appliances. One positive outcome of this restriction is that you may eat a healthier diet, which can enhance your physical and mental well-being. Many patients also experience an improvement in their social and professional interactions. This is because straightening your teeth may encourage more smiling, leaving a lasting impression on those you meet and boosting your overall confidence.
Do braces hurt more for adults?
In some cases, braces may be mildly uncomfortable for adults and children, especially on the first day or during adjustments. However, like breaking in a new pair of shoes, the discomfort will lessen over time, allowing you to focus on achieving an optimal outcome.
How long do adults wear braces?
In some cases, braces for adults can take longer to work than for children or teenagers. This is mainly because adults have completed their growth and have more mature bone density.
Managing Orthodontic Treatment as an Adult
Before starting orthodontic treatment, it's crucial to ensure that your bones and gums are healthy. As we age, the health of these tissues can decline, often due to bacteria that cause both tooth decay and gum disease. Gum disease, more common in adults, can result in the loss of gum tissue and bone, making it difficult to move teeth into the correct positions.
During your initial consultation, your orthodontist will assess your gum health. If gum disease is detected, it needs to be treated before orthodontic treatment can begin. Your orthodontist will also review your medical history, particularly concerning bone density and related medications.
Once your braces are in place, you will need to adjust your lifestyle accordingly and manage your ongoing treatment. This includes changing your diet to avoid hard and sticky foods and following your orthodontist's instructions about caring for your orthodontic appliances.
You will also need to keep up with proper oral hygiene, like daily brushing and flossing and routine professional hygiene cleanings and exams. This can help prevent bacteria from building up on your teeth which can lead to decay.
How is orthodontic treatment different for adults compared to children and teens?
One key distinction between adult orthodontics and treatment for children and teenagers is that adults have fully developed bones, which can create unique challenges and opportunities for treatment.
For example, while some issues may have been easily corrected in childhood, they might now require surgical intervention in adulthood.
The need for surgery might extend the overall treatment time, but it also allows for more effective long-term results. With the right planning and support, adults can achieve their desired outcomes in orthodontic treatment.