If you are an adult living in Texas, then you can find different types of braces to repair your dental malocclusions. More adults who missed out on orthodontic treatment as children are visiting an orthodontist for an evaluation to begin wearing braces. While wearing braces can improve your smile, having straight teeth can prevent other problems such as jaw pain or poor speech quality. Having properly spaced teeth can make it easier to chew food, and it can protect your gums from developing infections that lead to periodontal disease. You might think that fixing your teeth makes you vain, but with straighter teeth, you can brush and floss easily to avoid developing cavities. When you feel self-conscious about the appearance of your teeth, undergoing orthodontic treatment can improve your self-esteem. We are here to help you learn more about braces for adults.
What Happens during an Orthodontic Visit?
Before you can wear braces in Texas, you must have healthy teeth and gums. If you have cavities or gum disease, then these problems need treatment first to correct the conditions. However, when your teeth and gums are in good condition, you can begin treatment with braces right away. Your orthodontist will collect X-rays of your mouth to learn more about your dental misalignments to determine if you can wear clear plastic aligners or if braces with brackets and wires are required instead. An orthodontist will use a malleable substance to create molds of your teeth and gum ridges to learn how to make your aligners or braces. A computer software program can analyze your molds and X-rays to design the wires for braces or the removable aligners.
What are the Different Types of Braces for Adults?
Adults in Texas can choose from an assortment of braces to straighten teeth in six months to four years. It is important to listen to your orthodontist’s advice concerning the best type of braces to wear for your particular malocclusions. If you have minor malocclusions, then you may receive up to 30 sets of clear aligners that will apply pressure against your teeth to repair your malocclusions. When you have moderate to severe misalignments, you will need braces instead, but there are different types to choose from at your orthodontist’s office. The most economical choice is traditional metal braces that have silver wires and brackets, but these are easy for other people to see. In addition, your dentist will need to adjust the wires frequently so that your teeth will shift into the correct positions. Today, there are also self-ligating braces that adjust without needing an orthodontic visit, so this can reduce the number of times required for visiting your orthodontist. Alternatively, you can choose ceramic braces that have clear or color-matching brackets and invisible wires.
Contact Our Office to Learn More
To learn more about braces for adults, feel free to get started by reaching out and making an appointment with Central Texas Orthodontics! At our office in Austin, TX, our caring and devoted team of professionals are ready and eager to explain your options in full and answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to set up your consultation today!