While braces may have traditionally been worn by children and teenagers, more and more Americans today are choosing to get braces. More than four million people in the United States are wearing braces at any one time and 25 percent of these individuals are adults. It is clear that adults are embracing orthodontia and reaping the benefits.
Modern dentistry has come a long way in recent decades; when it comes to orthodontics, there are far more options available to patients than in the past. In addition to ‘traditional’ metal braces, adults can choose from clear aligners like Invisalign, as well as ceramic and Damon braces.
If you have been considering getting braces as an adult, your No. One choice for Louisville orthodontist is White, Greer & Maggard Orthodontics. In this blog post, we will highlight everything you need to know about adult braces. Whatever age you are, remember that you are never too old to get the smile that you always wanted.
What Are The Benefits Of Braces For Adults?
For many adults, the primary objective when getting braces is to improve the aesthetics of their smile. Having straight and perfectly aligned teeth can have a major impact on a person’s overall self-esteem and confidence.
Many adults who have crooked or unsightly teeth feel self-conscious in public situations and their success at work and in relationships can suffer. In fact, research has indicated that people with crooked teeth are less likely to be asked on a second date.
82 percent of American adults say that the first thing that they notice about a person is their smile. If you aren’t entirely pleased with the appearance of your smile, braces are a wonderful option for adults of any age.
In addition to pure aesthetics, there are a number of other health benefits to having aligned teeth. Braces can help to fix a range of bite issues, including overbite, underbite, and crossbite.
Braces can aid digestion, too. Having aligned teeth makes it easier to properly chew and swallow food. Braces can also help with improving any speech impediments that are caused by misalignment.
Finally, straight teeth make dental care easier in general. It can be difficult to correctly brush and floss crooked or crowded teeth, which makes the development of cavities and gum disease more likely.
What Are The Different Types Of Adult Braces?
In this section, we will highlight four popular types of braces that are particularly suited for adults: Invisalign, metal braces, ceramic braces, and Damon braces.
Invisalign
Invisalign is a popular alternative to more traditional braces and is particularly suited to adults, given that they are practically invisible. Invisalign is a brand of clear aligners that have been available for more than 20 years.
Some of the pros of Invisalign treatment include:
- Practically invisible
- Comfortable to wear
- Can be removed for eating and brushing
- Require fewer dental visits than other braces
- Not limited in the foods you can eat
- Quick treatment (average 12 to 18 months)
Invisalign is generally best suited to mild to moderate cases and may not be the best option for more complicated cases. Given that they are removable, they do require discipline to ensure that they are worn for at least 22 hours a day. If you are prone to losing items, then Invisalign may not be your best option, either.
Metal Braces
As the tried and tested method for aligning teeth, metal braces are another popular option. While they are more visible than clear aligners and can be more uncomfortable to wear, they are effective at straightening teeth.
Metal braces are highly durable and can work in even the most complicated cases. They are also affordable and provide quick results.
With metal braces, there may be certain foods that you have to avoid during treatment and they can be less comfortable to wear than other options, especially Invisalign.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces consist of tooth-colored ceramic brackets that are attached to the surface of the teeth. They utilize wires and rubber bands to gradually move the teeth into the correct position. They differ from metal braces in that the brackets are made from a tooth-colored or clear ceramic material rather than metal.
While more expensive than metal braces, they are popular with adults thanks to the fact that they are more discreet.
Damon Braces
Damon braces use a slide mechanism that grasps the wire rather than using elastics. As they are self-ligating, they provide fast treatment times and fewer visits to the orthodontist.
Damon braces are also more subtle than metal braces which makes them popular with adults who may be uncomfortable with wearing highly visible metal braces.
We recommend that you speak to our team about the type of braces that are more suited to your specific case.
Choose The Best Louisville Orthodontist To Improve Your Smile
As long as a person’s teeth and gums are healthy, there is no age limit to getting braces. In recent years, there has been a steady rise in the number of elderly people opting to get braces. Braces are no longer preserved for children and, thanks to advancements in orthodontics, there are a number of effective options available.
White, Greer & Maggard Orthodontics is the preferred Louisville orthodontist for both children and adults. We are the orthodontic team that you can trust. Contact our team today to get started and learn how adult braces can improve both the appearance of your smile and your overall dental hygiene.