Adult Braces: You’re Never Too Old for Straighter Teeth

While many regard braces as a treatment for teenagers, plenty of adults opt for orthodontic treatment as well. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists estimates that adults make up one in four people who wear braces.. The truth is, there is much less of a stigma surrounding adult braces these days. Wiith modern low-profile orthodontic treatments like Invisalign and clear brackets, there’s really no excuse to not treat crowded, crooked, or misaligned teeth.

To help you decide if adult braces are right for you, we’ve compiled a list of low-profile orthodontic treatment options, complete with the details, and the pros and cons of each to help you get straighter teeth without all the visible hardware.

Clear Aligners for Adults

Clear aligner services, like Invisalign or SmileDirectClub, have rapidly gained  popularity in recent years– and it’s not hard to see why! Clear aligners are as effective as traditional braces for treating common orthodontic issues like crooked or moderately crowded teeth without all the metal hardware.

Clear aligners can be removed when eating, or brushing and flossing, making them super easy to maintain. Plus, you can complete the majority of your clear aligner treatment from the comfort of your home, meaning fewer trips to the orthodontist.

But, contrary to popular belief, clear aligners haven’t made traditional braces obsolete. Clear aligners lack the strength and maneuverability to address severely crowded or misaligned teeth. A more traditional orthodontic treatment method may be your only option for these advanced dental issues.

Clear aligners also put more of a burden on the wearer than braces. It’s up to you to take proper care of your aligners, wear them for the recommended length of time each day, and see the treatment through to the end to achieve your desired results. Some patients become preoccupied with other aspects of their life and let their treatment fall by the wayside, leading to disappointing results.

However, if you’re dental issue is relatively minor, and you have the commitment necessary to finish your clear aligner treatment, you’ll enjoy straighter teeth in no time, without having to worry about your appearance during the treatment.

Clear Brackets

If you’re after a low-profile orthodontic solution but don’t want to give up the strength and versatility of braces, clear brackets may just be the treatment for you. Clear brackets and traditional braces are one and the same, with one notable exception– the use of clear brackets instead of metal or colored ones.

Clear brackets, combined with the clean, streamlined appearance of modern braces, offer a time-tested and effective orthodontic treatment that is almost unnoticeable at first glance.

Keep in mind, clear brackets are still braces. As such, you will need to schedule regular trips to the orthodontist for readjustments and checkups. Braces are also challenging to clean, prone to collecting hard-to-reach food particles, and can irritate the inside of the mouth.

For those with significant dental issues, like severely crowded or misaligned teeth, the benefits of braces with clear brackets will far outweigh the drawbacks.

Lingual Braces

While the least common orthodontic treatment option on this list, lingual braces offer a few distinct advantages over more traditional braces. Unlike traditional braces, lingual braces are attached to the back of the teeth, making them practically invisible.

Lingual braces offer many of the same benefits as traditional braces, including the ability to customize them to the wearer’s exact specifications. But this unique orthodontic treatment also comes with its own set of drawbacks. Lingual braces can cause a slight lisp, and the metal brackets can irritate the tongue. And, because of the lingual brace’s unconventional construction, the treatment will take longer than other methods.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are plenty of low-profile orthodontic solutions for adults. So, when it comes to achieving the smile of your dreams, there really is no excuse not to pursue one of the treatment options listed here. If you’re interested in orthodontic treatment for you or your child, we encourage you to schedule a consultation at our orthodontics clinic in Mississauga online or over the phone today. We look forward to helping you smile!