Many people mistakenly believe there is only one window of time available to get orthodontics – the teen years. But this isn’t true. Life is long. If you want your smile to be as healthy as possible for the present and future, it’s time to talk to an orthodontist about adult braces. Available in various forms, braces or aligners are life-altering in an amazing way without interrupting your daily life.
Factors That Affect Adult Braces
All braces work the same way – they gently but firmly move both tooth crowns and roots to shift a smile into complete alignment. However, the way these actions pan out depends on:
- The type of adult braces – You don’t have to be a teenager to wear metal braces. You can wear them as an adult too, or opt for the less noticeable ceramic braces, or the nearly invisible Invisalign aligners. Your Center City orthodontist will make a recommendation about the best type of braces to wear for your unique alignment concerns.
- Severity of the misalignment – The more severe your crooked teeth, gapped teeth, or compromised bite, the more difficult it will be to straighten your smile and the longer it will take to make it happen. Patients with more challenging tooth positions often need conventional metal braces to get the straightening job done. Patients with teeth that only need to move minimally often find success through Invisalign.
- How well the patient complies – You will have rules to comply with no matter what kind of braces you get. Some instructions are more demanding than others, but all are easy enough to master and follow throughout your treatment to ensure that you’re giving yourself the best possible chance to get a straight, healthy smile.
Uncover Your Options
There are three main types of adult braces and they are all designed to offer the same kind of help to misaligned smiles. Here’s what you need to know:
- Invisalign for adults: Many patients are enamored with the idea of Invisalign for adults. They get to straighten their teeth but do so discreetly and in less time than traditional braces. There are different timelines for Invisalign patients – some need only six months of treatment while the majority average at about 12 months. Either way, the clear aligners are easy to wear, remove, and clean, and there are no eating restrictions.
- Ceramic braces: If a patient can’t wear Invisalign, the next best thing is ceramic braces. They’re not invisible, but they are difficult to see and are constructed of clear or tooth-colored brackets and wires to keep a low profile. The braces are attached to the teeth like conventional metal braces.
- Metal braces: These are the braces that make everyone think “teenager.” But they work for adults too and many grown-ups proudly show off their hardware, happy to finally be aligning the smile that has long plagued them. The modern version of these braces is smaller and treatment time is efficient and effective.
Find out what kind of adult braces are right for you. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Roberts or Dr. de Marsche in Center City, Philadelphia.