Can Adults Benefit From Braces?

Just a generation or two ago, it was rare to see adults wearing braces. The myth was that adults’ teeth couldn’t be properly moved.

With today’s orthodontic options, we know that isn’t so. More than 1 million adults over the age of 18 (and even in their 80s) are improving their smiles with braces. Some famous people have proudly displayed their orthodontic appliances, among them Tom Cruise, Faith Hill and Danny Glover.

You’re never too old to have a perfect smile!

As with children, orthodontic treatment for adults straightens crooked or crowded teeth and corrects malocclusion – “bad bite” – as well as overbites, underbites and jaw joint disorders – all successfully.

Why do adults want braces? Reasons vary, but a prime motivation for adult braces is improved appearance. A beautiful smile is not only attractive but a professional asset as well (and a mouthful of badly misaligned teeth can be a detriment). But adults with malocclusion also may be experiencing problems related to incorrect dental alignment. Crooked teeth and a bad bite can contribute to gum and bone loss, tooth decay, plaque buildup, abnormal tooth wear, headaches and chewing problems.

If you’re an adult who is deciding whether to undertake orthodontic treatment, there’s great news:  Modern technology has made braces far more comfortable and less unsightly than you probably remember from your childhood. And you can now choose from several treatment options, including “invisible braces,” a specialty of our office. Here is what we offer you:

Metal braces: Today’s metal braces are lighter and thinner than the braces of your youth. Metal braces straighten your teeth with wires (archwires), metal brackets and rubber bands (in your choice of colors).

Invisalign (invisible braces or clear braces): Our office is a Super Elite Invisalign Provider, a designation awarded only to the top 1 percent of Invisalign providers nationwide. With Invisalign, we reposition your teeth not with wires but with a series of clear, customized, removable trays called aligners. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks and can be removed when you eat or brush your teeth. Plus – important to many adults – they are virtually invisible.

In our office, this program is so popular that nearly all of our adult clients and more than half our young patients opt for this alternative.

Ceramic braces: Ceramic braces are clear and, therefore, less visible on your teeth, making them an attractive choice for adults and older teens concerned about their appearance. These braces aren’t suitable for everyone.

SPEED braces: SPEED braces, three times smaller than traditional braces, replace rubber bands with miniaturized “spring chips” that are programmed to apply a light continuous force to move your teeth into the correct position. These braces can decrease the length of treatment time.

Gold braces: These are stainless steel braces coated in gold and may be a preferred cosmetic option.

So if you’re an adult who is always covering your mouth when you smile, you no longer need to be embarrassed by your teeth. We will help you choose the orthodontic treatment that’s right for you. It’s not too late to have the smile of your dreams.

Straight teeth, correct tooth alignment and a proper bite are important at every age.