Braces At Any Age
Did you know that one in four orthodontic patients are adults? That statistic may surprise you, but with adult braces becoming more common for aesthetic appeal and mouth health, it’s no wonder that it’s not only children getting them.
It’s exciting to have options for fixing your teeth later in life. Like any big dental decision, the choice to receive orthodontic treatment is one that should be done with your dentist’s guidance.
Reasons To Get Braces
Adults decide to get braces for several reasons, which include:
- Crooked or misaligned teeth. Misaligned and uneven teeth can interfere with a healthy bite. Misalignment can lead to excessive tooth wear, gum disease, tooth decay, jaw problems, and chipped teeth.
- Mouth size. A small mouth can cause tooth crowding, while a large mouth can cause larger spaces between teeth.
- Aesthetics. Many people do not like the look of their smiles and would prefer teeth that look straighter or more even.
Types of Adult Braces
Today’s orthodontics offer more kinds of braces than ever before.
Traditional Braces. These are the metal brackets and wires that most people picture when they hear the word “braces.” However, modern brackets are smaller and less noticeable than the notorious “metal-mouth” braces that many adults remember. Plus, new archwires help teeth move more quickly and less painfully than in the past.
Pros: Least expensive type, colored bands give kids and adults a chance to express themselves
Cons: Most noticeable type of braces
Ceramic Braces. Ceramic braces are the same size and shape as metal braces, except that they have tooth-colored brackets that blend in to teeth. Some even use tooth-colored wires to be even less noticeable.
Pros: Less noticeable than metal braces; move teeth much faster than clear plastic aligners
Cons: More expensive than metal braces; Brackets can stain easily if patients don’t care for them well
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are the same as traditional metal braces, except that the brackets and wires are placed on the inside of teeth.
Pros: Invisible from outside
Cons: Difficult to clean; more expensive; not appropriate for severe cases; can be more uncomfortable at first; regular adjustments take longer and are more difficult than with traditional braces.
Invisalign
Invisalign consists of a series of 18 to 30 custom-made, mouth guard-like clear plastic aligners. The aligners are removable and replaced every 2-3 weeks.
Pros: Almost invisible; Patients can eat and drink whatever they want
Cons: Will not work for serious problems; more expensive option; can be easily lost and costly to replace; treatment may potentially take longer
What to Expect While Wearing Braces
Brushing With Braces. It is imperative to create an excellent oral hygiene routine when taking care of braces as an adult. Brush your teeth after every meal and snack, not just the recommended twice a day. It’s important to brush each tooth at the gumline and below the brackets to minimize potential plaque between the teeth and braces.
Other Cleaning Methods. Flossing is critical to help clean between the teeth and under the wires. To more easily floss under the wires, use a floss threader or orthodontic flosser, which you can buy at a drug store. Wax floss may be more comfortable to slide between your teeth and less likely to snag on your braces than unwaxed floss.
If you have space between your teeth, you might find an interdental brush that goes between the teeth works better than flossing. Another option for hard-to-reach areas is water irrigators. Rinsing with mouthwash to kill any bacteria missed by brushing and flossing is always a great last step.
Watch What You Eat. When your teeth have braces, they need extra attention to protect them from decay, staining, and gum disease. It is best to take precautions to avoid damaging your braces. For example, activities to avoid include eating chewy, hard, or crunchy foods, biting your lip, breathing excessively through your mouth, and pushing your tongue against your teeth. To eat crunchy foods, cut them into small, bite-size pieces.
Additional Tips for Braces. If you find yourself in a situation without a toothbrush after a meal, vigorously rinse your mouth with water (or mouthwash). If your braces or wires chafe the inside of your lips, you can place dental wax on them to prevent this from happening.
Special Considerations For Wearing Braces As An Adult
Age-Related Bone Structures. While adults have more options for the types of braces they can choose from, there are age-related considerations when deciding to get braces. You and your dental professional should consider bone structure, bone loss, and the length of time you will need braces.
Unlike a child’s mouth, the bones in an adult’s mouth have stopped growing. You may have a structural issue that cannot change with braces, only surgery. Your dental professional should look for any bone loss before you consider braces. Bone loss, resulting from gum disease, could be a complication for braces as well.
Tooth Extraction Issues. Many adults have had one or more teeth extracted in the past, presenting a problem for your orthodontist. These sites, unless restored, are not suitable locations for teeth to be moved into by braces. Closing gaps between the teeth caused by extractions can be tricky because adult bone doesn’t respond to pressure in the same way as growing bone.
Appliance Placement. Many adult orthodontic appliances, like lingual braces, bond to your teeth with dental cement. Cement on your teeth makes it vital for you to maintain strict oral hygiene during the process.
Root Resorption. One of the risks associated with orthodontic treatment is the development of root resorption. Root resorption is the gradual loss of tooth structure, which weakens the support of your tooth. Root resorption is permanent, and a dental professional will not be able to fix it. Many factors increase the risk for resorption, including genetics, tooth and bone anatomy, chewing forces, and specific health problems. Factors related to orthodontic treatment include the power used to move your teeth, the directions your teeth will move, the type of orthodontic appliances used, and the duration and type of treatment techniques used. Your orthodontist will do a careful examination of your teeth to determine if any of your teeth may develop root resorption before starting orthodontic treatment.
Psychosocial Factors
Several psychological and social factors affect adults interested in braces. You may be eager for perfect results, have concerns about their appearance, and question each step the orthodontist takes as well as the cost of treatment. It’s normal to have questions or worries before a commitment to braces, especially as an adult. Keep in mind that your dentist is there to answer your questions and provide you with encouraging oral health suggestions along your journey.
Your experience with braces may last longer than what you remember your friends going through in middle and high school. Unfortunately, adults, on average, have a treatment that lasts about two years. The time required varies depending on your teeth’s condition. Even though you should be prepared for more extended treatment, the results will be worth it!
What To Expect When Braces Are Removed
Retainers and Appliances
Orthodontists usually fit you for a retainer to keep your teeth from moving after the braces come off. They can either be removable or cemented in place behind your teeth, where they won’t be visible.
Each retainer is custom fit to your new bite and will fit comfortably in your mouth. Caring for retainers is easy! Brush them regularly with fluoride toothpaste as a natural part of your oral care routine. You may need to use floss threaders or oral irrigators (also know as water flossing) to help clean under and around retainers that are fixed in place to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Your orthodontist will advise you about the right way to clean your retainers.
Tooth Whitening
It’s only natural that you’d want white teeth to go with your newly straight smile. Talk to your orthodontist to see if tooth whitening is an option for you as some conditions such as white spot lesions, might limit your options. White spot lesions are decalcified areas of enamel that are caused by inadequate oral hygiene.
Brushing
You’ve probably developed a perfect brushing routine after having braces. Although brushing twice a day is the standard oral care recommendation for people who haven’t had braces, you should continue to brush after every time you eat.
