It would be great to be born with aesthetically pleasing and perfectly straight teeth. However, the reality is orthodontic issues can develop from when we are born and last into adulthood. While making changes to your alignment and bite during childhood or adolescence is an effective way to remediate orthodontic issues, adult orthodontic treatment can also correct misaligned teeth.
With all the innovative orthodontic appliance options available to our patients today, the possibilities for a healthier, more beautiful smile are virtually endless. If you are an adult and you’re considering undergoing orthodontic treatment with braces or clear aligners, then consider the following information about braces for adults from our dentist in Gainesville, FL. Contact Comprehensive Dental Care to schedule a dental consultation.
Why Do Adults Get Braces?
There is no age limit for undergoing orthodontic treatment, whether with braces or clear aligners. While early orthodontic interventions can be extremely effective for correcting alignment problems in children, our bodies and mouths change over time, which can affect different aspects of our bodies, including the position of our teeth and jaws. Many adults choose braces as they improve the aesthetic value of their smile and correct functional issues with their teeth alignment, bite, and more.
Aesthetic Enhancement
Many of our patients choose to undergo orthodontic treatment for cosmetic reasons. In some cases, patients may desire to remediate the appearance of a crooked smile, a misaligned bite, teeth that have shifted over time, or other oral alignment issues. In addition to supporting oral and overall health, braces can likewise help improve self-confidence.
Improved Alignment & Bite
Another common reason for undergoing orthodontic treatment is to fix a bite, jaw, spacing, or other teeth-related issues. Patients who may have previously undergone treatment may require adjustment. Or, perhaps their jaw is out of proper alignment and wears down their teeth. Other adults may want to restore their oral health with braces or clear aligners.
Types Of Orthodontic Treatment
Traditional Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces are often what comes to mind when thinking about orthodontic treatment. These braces are usually made from high-quality stainless steel. Brace brackets adhere to the front of each tooth with medical-grade oral cement. The brackets are then connected with an archwire, helping adjust the teeth.
Invisible Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are a modern innovation of orthodontics that offer the dual benefits of perfecting your smile and a discrete appearance. Commonly referred to as “clear braces,” ceramic braces function in a similar manner to metal braces; however, these brackets are made from ceramic and are made to blend in with the natural color of the teeth.
Clear Orthodontic Aligners
In addition to braces, patients may have the option to undergo orthodontic treatment with clear aligners, which are popular among teens and adults who seek a virtually imperceivable type of orthodontic appliance. These trays are clear, removable, and fit over the teeth and are worn for the majority of the day and removed for brushing, flossing, and eating.
What Factors Impact Orthodontic Treatment For Adults?
Several factors differentiate undergoing braces treatment as a child or an adolescent versus an adult. Adults’ teeth are generally fixed within harder gum tissue, potentially making them more difficult to move than the soft gum tissue of a younger patient. Additionally, if an adult patient has worn, misshapen, or otherwise damaged, misaligned teeth, they may require simultaneous dental treatment and orthodontic treatment.
- The hardness of a patient’s gum tissue
- How fixed are the teeth within the mouth
- How misshapen or worn the teeth are
- The severity of bite and alignment issues
- Results from previous orthodontic treatment
- The patient’s overall goals for treatment
Each patient’s smile is unique and, as such, their orthodontic treatment will accommodate their individual requirements for treatment. Find out how you can benefit from adult braces and Contact Comprehensive Dental Care today to schedule a dental appointment.