Adult Orthodontics in Germantown
Most people tend to think of braces being for teenagers or older children, but people of all ages get braces. In fact, 1 in 4 people gets braces as adults. The number of adults getting braces is on the rise, and for good reason.
Benefits of Getting Braces as an Adult
A More Aesthetically Pleasing Smile
Some adults may get braces for purely aesthetic reasons. Who doesn’t want a beautiful, straight smile? Not only will your smile look amazing, but it can also give you a boost in confidence. Insurance often doesn’t cover braces for cosmetic purposes, so make sure to double-check with your insurance company to see what they will cover.
Prevent Future Dental Issues
Untreated alignment issues can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and more. Orthodontic treatment creates a better bite and jaw alignment, reducing the risk of having major dental problems later in life. A bad alignment can also be quite painful, so it usually recommended to get orthodontic treatment to prevent issues from coming up later. Overall, braces can greatly improve your long-term oral health.
You Have More Options Than You Did as a Child
When most adults these days were children, there weren’t many options for braces. You got the traditional, metal braces where there was a bracket around most of your teeth. Today, there are a number of great options if you choose to undergo orthodontic treatment. From traditional braces to clear braces and Invisalign, you can choose which treatment option fits in best with your situation and lifestyle. If you want them moved quickly, traditional braces may be your best bet. If you want them as least noticeable as possible, you might want to check out Invisalign.
Adult Braces vs. Teenage Braces
The actual treatment doesn’t differ, whether you are getting braces as a teenager or as an adult. The process is the same- force is placed on your teeth in order to get them to move to the desired positions. Because of an adult’s bone density and maturity, treatment can sometimes take a long amount of time.
Orthodontic treatment typically lasts 18-22 months, depending on how much your teeth need to move. However, the process isn’t any different. The main difference is that a teenager is still growing, whereas an adult is not.
Braces Options as an Adult
Traditional Braces
Traditional braces consist of metal brackets on each tooth with a wire running between them, held on by ties. They slowly move your teeth into the desired positions through being periodically tightened by your orthodontist. Traditional braces are great for if you need more extensive orthodontic work. They are also the most affordable option and tend to be the fastest.
Clear Braces
Clear braces are similar to traditional metal braces, except for the brackets are clear. Some adults want to be a bit more discreet with their braces, so clear braces are a great option. As with traditional braces, treatment times tend to be less than with other kinds of braces.
Invisalign
Invisalign, or clear aligners, are clear trays that you wear 20-22 hours per day, only taking them out to brush your teeth or eat. You wear each tray for 2 weeks, then swap it out for the next one. By swapping out to the next tray, you are slowly moving your teeth into their desired positions. The main thing with Invisalign is making sure to wear them like you are supposed to. Since you can remove the aligners from your mouth, it makes eating and hygiene easy.
Things to Remember When Getting Braces as an Adult
Regular Checkups
When you have braces, you usually need to go to checkups every 4-6 weeks. You will need to take into account that you will have regular checkups that you will have to make time for.
More Brushing and Flossing
You will be spending more time on dental hygiene. It’s important to make sure that your teeth are clean and that food doesn’t get stuck between brackets. With appliances on your teeth, that can sometimes be more difficult to do.
Watch the Foods You Eat
When you have braces, you need to watch what you eat. Hard or sticky foods can easily get stuck in your braces, and they can actually break off your brackets or snap the wires. Unless you want to have to go in for an emergency visit to repair your braces, it is usually best to stay away from those kinds of foods.
Call Parris Orthodontics for a Consultation
Braces in adults is growing in popularity every year. Due to new technology and treatments, orthodontic treatment is able to be completed quickly and efficiently. There are a number of options to consider when getting adult braces, making it easy to get the beautiful, straight smile that you want.
Call Parris Orthodontics today to schedule your consultation! We are conveniently located in Germantown, Tennessee, and we offer a full range of orthodontic services to both children and adults.
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