You can’t always change what genetics has given you, but there is a lot that you can do to make yourself look better. And if you’re an adult looking to straighten out your teeth and make them look more attractive, there’s a perfect solution for you. Adult braces are a great way to fix your teeth and give you that perfect smile. Here at Central Texas Orthodontics in Austin, TX, we offer this orthodontic treatment to correct problems with your teeth.
What Is the Right Age for Adult Braces?
Understand What They Are
Adult braces, also known as adult fixed orthodontic appliances or simply “braces,” are orthodontic devices used to make your teeth straight. These appliances can be made of metal or ceramic and use brackets that attach to the front of each tooth. Then wires run between these brackets, guiding the teeth into place by applying pressure at specific points on your teeth where they need it most. The teeth gradually move into their proper position over time until you get that perfect smile!
The Right Age
You can never be too old to start wearing braces. Some people believe that if they are past puberty, then braces will not work for them. This isn’t true at all, so don’t let this misconception stop you from trying to straighten your teeth. There’s no reason why adults of any age cannot use these appliances as well.
However, it is important to understand that adult braces are very different from the child and teen versions of this appliance. The adult devices may take a lot more time to see results, so you shouldn’t expect your teeth to move as quickly as they would with younger patients. The average treatment time for adults is around two years, but everyone’s dental journey is unique depending on their own anatomy, lifestyle habits, and other factors.
How Long Can I Wear Braces?
The simple answer to this question is: it all depends on the patient. For example, some adults may finish their treatment within one year, while others could take up to three years. It’s important not to feel discouraged, though, because you’ll eventually reach that point where your teeth look amazing! Below are factors that determine how long you’ll wear braces:
1) How Crooked Your Teeth Are
The more crooked your teeth are, the longer it will take to get them into a perfect position. This is why many adults have to wear braces for between one and two years before they can achieve their desired smile.
2) Your Bite
Your bite is the way your teeth come together at the top and bottom. If you have a bad bite, then it can take longer to fix this problem with braces than simply correcting misaligned teeth.
3) Type of Braces Used
Adult braces are not one size fits all. You’ll be wearing these appliances for a long time, so it’s important that you find the best kind to meet your needs and preferences as early and effectively as possible. For example, metal braces are usually recommended for correcting severe teeth misalignment and are typically worn for two to three years.
4) Your Diet
If you have a bad diet and eat all the wrong things, then this can affect your treatment plan. For example, if you’re constantly eating sticky foods like caramel or chewing gum with sugar, your brackets will be worn down faster than normal, causing them to break apart before they reach their full potential. Eat healthy foods like vegetables and fruits to keep your teeth in good shape while wearing braces.
5) Your Lifestyle Habits
Are you addicted to soda or other acidic drinks? These types of beverages can eat away at your tooth enamel and interfere with your teeth alignment efforts. Also, avoid smoking cigarettes because nicotine is very bad for oral hygiene as it speeds up the wear on brackets and wires.
6) Your Commitment
The final factor that determines how long you have to wear braces is your own commitment. Even if the treatment takes one year, if you aren’t dedicated enough, then it won’t reach its full potential and achieve what you want. So be willing to go through with this process no matter how difficult or uncomfortable things may get at times because, in the end, it will all be worth it!
What Can Adult Braces Fix?
There are many problems that these braces can help resolve, including:
1. Crowded Teeth
If your teeth have not developed properly while still growing up, then there might come a time when they won’t fit together correctly anymore. This will cause them to overlap, which can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Wearing braces will help align your teeth so there is space in between without causing permanent damage or pain.
2. Spacing Between Teeth
Spacing between teeth can be caused by tooth loss, gum disease, or something else. This issue is often seen in adults because it’s the result of years of neglecting oral hygiene and not visiting a dentist regularly enough. When you wear braces to fix spacing issues, your smile will look more symmetrical than before.
3. Issues with Speech
If you have a lisp or other speech impediment, then this could be caused by teeth being too far forward. Wearing braces can bring them back to their proper place so your pronunciation will become clearer and more understandable.
4. Issues with Chewing and Eating
You might find it difficult to eat certain foods and may even become self-conscious about how you chew. This is because your teeth are not properly lined up, so they don’t touch when you bite down together. With braces or Invisalign aligners, this will be resolved so you can enjoy whatever mealtime has to offer without worrying if others around the table think there’s something wrong with how you’re eating food.
5. Unmatched Dental Midlines
If your two front teeth aren’t the same length and don’t match, then this can make you self-conscious and affect your smile. The braces will help align the lengths of all your teeth so they are uniform and symmetrical while also straightening them to create a genuine masterpiece!
6. Misaligned Jaw
When your jaw is misaligned, it can make you more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease. Braces and Invisalign clear aligners can help bring your jaw into its proper position so you no longer have to worry about this issue.
7. Self-Esteem Issues
It’s easy to let something like crooked or misaligned teeth get in the way of personal confidence, but getting braces will change that for good! A bright smile with straight, white teeth can help improve your self-esteem so you look and feel more attractive.
Types of Braces
There’re many types of braces that can help treat your specific dental problems. If you’re not sure which one is right for you, then we can help answer this question during a consultation at our office in Austin, TX. That said, below are common types of braces:
1. Self-Ligating Braces Both Metal and Ceramic
Self-ligating braces are the most common types of braces that you can find nowadays. These braces use a technology that allows them to be self-ligating. This means you won’t have to worry about manual tying, untying, or tightening the wires on your adult teeth anymore.
2. Invisible Braces – Invisalign
Invisalign clear aligners are designed to take advantage of a custom-made mold that is based on your teeth. This allows for the Invisalign aligner trays to fit properly and comfortably onto your teeth while still being effective at correcting misalignment problems like spacing issues or gaps. These braces are hard to detect, meaning you won’t have a bulky appearance when wearing them.
3) Traditional Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces are one of the oldest types of braces you can find. They typically consist of two wires that run across your teeth and brackets screwed onto each tooth’s surface at the base. The wire assists in aligning the overall structure while also helping keep everything properly aligned during treatment.
Get Yourself A Perfect Smile Today!
Wearing adult braces can help straighten out your teeth so they appear more uniform while also allowing for a better bite and healthier gums. What’s more, there’s no right age to start wearing braces because it’s all about your specific needs. If you want to learn more, call us at Central Texas Orthodontics in Austin, TX, where we can answer any questions you may have!
