We typically think of braces as a treatment we receive in our teenage years. However, contrary to popular belief, about one in five of our orthodontic patients are adults! Taking care of your smile is not a job that ends when you grow up. You’re never too old to get the confidence from a straight smile that braces can provide. At Johnson Orthodontics, we offer adult braces and Invisalign because we want you to feel your best no matter your age. Let’s take a look at a few of the best reasons to get braces as an adult.
Better Overall Health
Braces have more advantages than just straightening your teeth. They provide a variety of benefits for your overall health too! A misaligned bite can contribute to problems like headaches and jaw pain, and correcting it with braces can help. Braces can be more high maintenance, but this maintenance can encourage habits that increase overall oral cleanliness. The extra care that goes into cleaning your teeth with braces can lead to a healthier mouth. Straighter teeth can make the cleaning process easier, with less room for plaque and bacteria to grow inside. This decreases your risk of cavities, tooth decay and gum disease. It can give you more access to your gum line, which makes flossing much easier.
Here’s another fact to chew on: Your teeth are an important part of the digestive process, and so their effect on your health goes a long way. For example, misalignment of your jaw can cause damage to the area where your teeth meet when you take a bite, which can make the chewing process difficult and uncomfortable. When your jaw or teeth do not meet properly when you’re chewing, you risk over-exerting your jaw muscles which can lead to complications like TMD or temporomandibular joint disorder. Not chewing properly can compromise your digestion.
Fewer Dental Problems Down the Road
No matter when you start treatment, braces are an effective solution for many tooth and jaw problems. They can help you fight cavities, reduce your risk of gum disease and avoid more involved dental work later on. Other orthodontic issues like jaw misalignment can wear down your teeth, which can leave your teeth chipped, cracked or missing altogether. Braces deal with these problems directly, so you can get ahead of them before they cause bigger issues.
Variety of Treatment
At Johnson Orthodontics, we have a variety of treatment options for you to choose from. Our office features up-to-date orthodontic technology and cutting-edge treatment. This means your new orthodontic treatment can be comfortable, efficient and effective.
Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces are the most popular type of orthodontic treatment. They are the most widely-recognized type of braces, and their technology has come a long way from their clunky, awkward predecessors. Today’s metal braces are durable stainless steel brackets connected by metal wires that are gradually tightened to adjust your teeth over time. We secure the brackets to your teeth with oral-friendly glue and the braces are worn with elastic bands that help secure the archwires. Plus, the bands come in a variety of colors, so you can add some personality to your braces!
Clear Braces
Clear braces, also called “ceramic braces”, provide a more discreet alternative to metal braces. These braces work similarly to metal braces but are designed to appear almost invisible with a smaller size and are made of tooth-colored polycrystalline ceramic material. This is a popular choice among adults and older teens for its more covert aesthetic. The only downside to ceramic braces is that this treatment is more likely to break or stain depending on your eating and lifestyle habits. This is because the polycrystalline ceramic is not as durable as the mix of high-grade metal used for traditional braces. As long as you have a strong oral hygiene routine, clear braces are just as effective as metal braces with a more discreet design.
Invisalign
Don’t want a mouth full of brackets and wires? Invisalign is made from clear plastic aligners that fit over your teeth. Each Invisalign aligner is custom-fitted for your unique teeth using a 3D image of your mouth made from X-rays and digital impressions. It’s removable, which makes eating, drinking, brushing and flossing easier. You will have to wear this treatment for twenty-two hours a day for it to be effective. Most patients wear theirs for nine to fifteen months depending on individual needs and go through several trays throughout the treatment. No wires, no metal, no bands, just a comfortable, easy-to-remove solution.
Aesthetics and Confidence
Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. No matter how old you are, it’s always good to make a good first impression. Your confidence, self-esteem, and how other people perceive you can all be improved with a healthier smile. A crooked smile, misaligned teeth, or even teeth that have not been properly cleaned, can not only affect how others see you but even more importantly, how you see yourself. You may find yourself shying away from conversations and photos or even avoiding smiling altogether. The positioning of your teeth can even affect your speech patterns by causing your tongue or lips not to attain the position necessary to make certain sounds. All of this can have an impact on how you present yourself to the world. You deserve to feel at your best and show the world who you are, and adult braces can help you achieve just that.
Common Questions From Adult Patients
Can adults get clear braces?
Yes. Clear braces are a popular choice among adults and older teens because the tooth-colored brackets are much less noticeable than metal. They work the same way metal braces do.
Will I need a tooth pulled before getting braces?
Not always. Extractions are only recommended when they’re the best way to get a healthy, well-aligned result, such as with severe crowding. Our guide to tooth extractions and braces covers when they’re needed and how long to wait before treatment.
How long does treatment take for adults?
It depends on your case. Most Invisalign patients wear their aligners for nine to fifteen months, and Dr. Johnson will walk you through your expected timeline at your free consultation.
Get the smile you deserve at Johnson Orthodontics
No matter your age or where you are in your orthodontic journey, you deserve the right team at your side. Johnson Orthodontics provides an exceptional care experience with cutting-edge orthodontic technology and a warm, professional team. Are you interested in learning more about treatment? Get in touch with us today to schedule a free consultation or follow-up appointment with Dr. Johnson in our Rehoboth Beach office!
