Braces for Adults: Will They Work for You?
/Getting Braces as an Adult
When we think of orthodontic car, we usually conjure up images of metal-mouthed teenagers still stuck in their awkward phase. But more and more adults are investing in their smiles and choosing to get braces.
According to studies, more than 1.2 million adults in the U.S. received orthodontic treatment in 2012, which is the most recent these numbers have been studied. That’s a 14% increase in adults with braces from 2010 and a 39% increase from 1996. This is because adults today are more concerned with their appearance than ever and more concerned about keeping their teeth healthy.
The Hardware
Before looking at the different types of braces available, let’s review the different hardware components that are used to create braces.
Bands
Orthodontic bands are rings that fit onto your back molars. The orthodontist will choose the right size band and use orthodontic tools to make sure you get a custom fit. Bands have metal attachments welded into them so that the archwire is able to pass through. The bands anchor the archwire and encourage movement in the rest of the teeth. The bands are cemented onto the teeth with special dental cement.
Brackets
Brackets are the most well-known part of braces. They are the small, rectangular metal pieces that are cemented onto all the teeth being treated. Orthodontists can choose to apply brackets onto the front teeth or all the teeth, depending on the specific needs of each client. The brackets have a space in them for the archwire to pass through.
Archwire
Archwires are wires made of metal, and they pass through each of the teeth being treated and connect them all. As one tooth moves, it creates pressure and encourages the others to move. The orthodontist can put very carefully made dents or bumps in the archwire to encourage movement in specific teeth. Each time you visit the orthodontist, they will give you a new wire to encourage the ongoing repositioning of teeth in order to get the correct alignment. The orthodontist will often choose to bring a heavier wire into the braces to exert greater pressure and therefore create movement more quickly.
Rubber Bands
These bands are made of elastic. They go around the brackets after the archwire is inserted and help to hold everything together. The archwire needs to be connected to the bracket to exert pressure, and the rubber bands are what makes that happen. The orthodontist also changes these out with each visit, and clients can choose from a wide array of colors.
Types of Braces for Adults
When deciding which type of braces are the best option for you, it’s important to educate yourself on the different options available.
Traditional Metal Braces
When you think of braces, you most likely think of traditional metal braces. Metal brackets are attached to each of the teeth being treated, and a metal archwire passes through the brackets. The metal brackets and archwire are held together with rubber bands. Metal braces are the most common type of braces used today, but they also can be very noticeable.
Ceramic Braces
Many adults looking to get braces to correct this smile opt to get ceramic braces. That’s because ceramic braces are far less noticeable than their metal counterpart. While they use the same components as metal braces, such as brackets and archwires, they are constructed with a ceramic material that can more naturally blend in with the teeth.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are another good option for adults who are concerned about the esthetic appearance of their braces. These braces are, like traditional ones, made with metal components. However, rather than be attached to the outside of the teeth they are attached to the inside, so they can’t be easily seen from the outside. From the front, your teeth seem to be bare, but they actually are being adjusted into the correct alignment.
Damon Braces
This type of braces is relatively popular at the moment because they are self-ligating. Normally, when your teeth begin to become more correctly aligned you need to visit your orthodontist so they can adjust your archwire to encourage continued movement. With self-ligating braces, however, a slide mechanism adjusts the braces to eliminate the need to go have them manually adjusted by your orthodontist. The slide mechanism also gets rid of the need for elastics to connect the archwires. Overall, Damon braces tend to yield results more quickly.
Braces for Adults
We know that braces are an effective way for teens to get the perfect smile, but what about for adults? Can adults looking into getting braces expect the same results?
The mechanical processes involved in aligning teeth with braces is the same, no matter the age. Orthodontic treatments offer great benefits for adults and children alike who are looking to improve their bite and the appearance of their smile. The treatment however, may take a bit longer in adults than in adolescents. This is because adolescents’ bones are still growing and shifting, making them easier to move into the correct position. Adults, whose bones are no longer growing, may require a longer treatment time to get that perfect smile.
The Process of Getting Braces
You’ve read about the different kinds of braces available for adults, and you’ve decided on which kind you think will best fit your smile and lifestyle. So what should you expect from the process of getting your braces?
1. Referral
The first step to perfect teeth is to get a referral. This usually comes from a dentist, because they are the dental professional that most regularly looks at your teeth. Generally, dentists will look at the patient’s teeth and, if they see an issue that could be addressed by orthodontia, will suggest that the patient visit one.
However, if you don’t wish to get a referral from your dentist, you can always set up an appointment by calling an orthodontist’s office yourself. If you have a recent set of x-rays from your dentist, it can be helpful to bring these as well. Be ready to discuss whatever concerns you have regarding your teeth.
2. Consultation
The first time you meet with your orthodontist, you will have your consultation. They will look at your teeth and determine what needs to be done in order to straighten them. The orthodontist may use this time to take more recent x-rays of your teeth and make a mold of your teeth to better design your orthodontic treatment.
3. Designing the Treatment
Everybody’s bite is unique, and that means that the orthodontic care they receive needs to be unique, too. After meeting with you, hearing your worries, and taking an in-depth look at your teeth, the orthodontist will create a treatment plan. Using the mold that the orthodontist takes of your teeth, they will create a mock-up of what your braces will look like.
4. Placing the Braces
The first orthodontic appointment lasts much longer than any of the future appointments because the orthodontist must put the braces on. First, the orthodontist will thoroughly clean your teeth to make sure they are completely clean when the braces are placed. Then, they will condition them to get them ready to hold the cement.
The brackets are then placed in predetermined positions based on the treatment that has been designed by your orthodontist. The orthodontist uses a special polymer cement that includes enzymes that react to ultraviolet light. After placing the cement and the brackets, the orthodontist will use a handheld UV device to harden the cement. You will be provided with protective eyewear to ensure the UV light does not damage your eyes.
5. Inserting the Wire
After the brackets and bands have been cemented onto the teeth, the orthodontist will prepare the archwire. They will start out with a semicircle of wire and then cut it to the correct length so that it will reach each of your teeth but not extend past them. They may also insert some bends or kinks into the wire to create leverage over the teeth and encourage them to move into the correct positions more quickly. Then the wire is placed and the brackets are closed. After this, the orthodontist will allow you to choose from different colors of rubber bands to wrap around the brackets and hold the wire in place.
6. Discussion of Oral Care
After the placement of the braces is complete, the orthodontist will discuss with you how to best care for your brackets and your teeth. They will go over how to correctly brush your teeth to make sure that you clean as well as possible and what kind of toothpaste to use. They may even give you some special small spindle toothbrushes to make cleaning your teeth easier.
7. Making Adjustments
After placing the braces, the orthodontist generally won’t need to see you for another 3 to 4 weeks. Throughout your treatment, your orthodontist will need to see you regularly in order to track the changes and movement in your teeth and adjust the wire to encourage further movement. They will determine with you the correct amount of time to wait between adjustments.
During an adjustment, the orthodontist takes off all the rubber bands and removes the archwire. They may create new bends in the wire to encourage more movement or they may insert a new wire. Oftentimes, orthodontists use the old wire as a guide for the bends in the new one, which will be slightly stronger or have a different configuration to help the movement in your teeth along.
8. Dentist Appointments
While you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment, it’s even more important than normal that you go to all your dentist appointments. It can be very difficult to effectively clean your teeth while you have braces on, and dentists can help to keep them clean. Dentists and dental hygienists have been trained in cleaning around brackets and wires and can give you tips to help you clean more effectively.
Conclusion
No matter who you are or how old you are, you deserve to have the healthy, perfect, and bright smile that you’ve always wanted. It’s never too late to invest in yourself and in your smile. That’s why braces for adults are rising in popularity with each year that passes. Braces only take a short time, and when they come off, you have the rest of your life to face with the perfect smile. To schedule a consultation, or ask questions about braces for adults, contact Mas’ood Cajee DDS MPH in Manteca, CA.
