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If you are an adult and are considering getting braces, you are not alone. About 1 in 5 patients is an adult. It is very common for adults to get braces, just as adults commonly seek other methods of self-improvement.. Taking care of your smile is like taking care of yourself. If you are unhappy with your smile, you do have a choice. Don’t worry about braces interfering with your lifestyle. Stainless steel brackets are much smaller now and clear ceramic brackets are almost invisible. You can see and touch the different types available at your Treatment Consultation. |
| Adult orthodontic treatment is not only for your appearance. Left untreated, many orthodontic problems can affect dental health. Not only are crowded teeth difficult to clean, over time, they become more susceptible to decay, gum disease and tooth loss. Poor tooth alignment can make it difficult to chew and impair gum tissue and the supporting bone. It can also cause pain in your jaw joints and result in abnormal erosion of tooth surfaces. Is there a difference between adult orthodontic treatment and teenage orthodontic treatment? Orthodontics for adults is not necessarily more complicated. Although the jaw is softer in teenagers and the correction of bites may be easier, in most cases the results of adult treatment are similar when compared to those of teens. One difference is that treatment may take a little bit longer. You heal more slowly with age, and so the orthodontist has to move your teeth more slowly and gently in order for you to heal between each appointment. The beginning of treatment may be more difficult for adult patients as well. Your mouth will probably be sore for about a week, but over-the-counter pain relievers will be enough to alleviate the pain. After this initial stage, you will hardly notice your braces except when they are adjusted by the orthodontist. Many adults say their teeth may feel loose. When a teenager gets braces, the orthodontist is moving teeth that are still relatively new. However with age, little filaments will anchor your teeth to your jaw. The orthodontist will have to loosen these filaments, resulting in the feeling of looseness. But don’t worry! Following treatment, the filaments will tighten again. Remember, the soreness is manageable and your efforts will be worth the reward of a smile that you will be proud to show off. |
