Have you ever noticed that there seem to be more adults getting orthodontic treatment, whether it be with clear aligners or braces? You’re not alone. In fact, 1 in 3 orthodontic patients today are adults.
Orthodontic treatment is not just for improved cosmetics. Misaligned teeth can cause many dental issues, from excessive wear to gum disease and even challenges in everyday tasks like chewing.
It’s never too late to have a beautiful and healthy smile. Whether boosting your confidence with straighter teeth or addressing a dental concern, adult orthodontic treatments may be for you. Adult orthodontics ensures both aesthetic and functional improvements and provides confidence that lasts a lifetime.
A Complete Guide to Adult Orthodontics
Being older does not prevent you from getting orthodontic treatment. Our teeth can naturally shift as we age, and that can be detrimental to our oral health and affect our confidence. Whether your motivation is cosmetic or health-driven, remember; that it’s never too late to reinvent your smile.
You deserve the self-confidence that comes with a radiant smile and the associated health benefits of properly aligned teeth and bite. Modern advances in orthodontic technologies make it easier than ever to improve your smile. Today’s esthetic treatment options are better suited to adult lifestyles.
From cosmetic braces to clear aligners, adult patients have more options than ever before.
What Are the Different Types of Braces?
There are a surprising number of braces options.
Traditional/Metal Braces
Traditional braces involve putting metal brackets (typically made of stainless steel) onto the teeth, which are attached to wire (often made of metal alloys). The wires are then held together by tiny rubber bands. The wires are designed to provide constant, gentle force to move your teeth into the desired position. Although this style has been used for decades, they’ve improved with the use of smaller, less noticeable brackets.
Ceramic Braces
Similar to metal braces, ceramic braces have thin wires connecting the brackets. However, the brackets are made from clear ceramic or are colored to match the teeth. This makes them less prominent than metal braces. Additionally, these types of braces tend to be more comfortable than traditional braces, although they are often slightly more expensive.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are the same as traditional braces, but the wires and brackets sit on the inner part of the teeth, making them the least visible of the bracket-and-wire types. However, they’re more challenging to keep clean and can be uncomfortable at first since they may initially cause tongue sores.
Aligners
Clear, plastic aligners are similar to mouth guards used by athletes. They’re custom-made and come as one single piece rather than in individual components like traditional braces. Although they’re similar to retainers (more on those below), aligners are designed to move teeth in small increments, similar to traditional braces. Retainers, meanwhile, keep teeth in place. Also, retainers are usually worn for short periods of time while aligners are meant to be worn most of the day and night (although you can take them out to eat, drink, and brush and floss your teeth).
Consult our Orthodontist in panama about Invisalign treatment
Self-Ligating Braces
While traditional metal and ceramic braces use rubber bands to connect brackets to the wire, self-ligating braces have brackets that clip right onto the wire. The brackets are smaller and can be clear, making them less noticeable. Also, without the bands, food is less likely to get trapped, so brushing and flossing is easier.
Power Chain Braces
Power chains are connected rows of elastics, usually used with traditional metal or ceramic brackets. These braces create more pressure and force in moving the teeth and are typically used to close gaps between teeth.
Contact us now to book your consultation with our Orthodontist in panama
