Orthodontic Treatment for Adults and patients of all ages is increasingly popular here in the US. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) estimated that nearly 1 in every 3 patients currently seeking treatment is an adult.
Adults now have access to several more methods to correct some common conditions like crooked teeth. A variety of orthodontic appliances is always appealing to older patients with unique lifestyles. Besides, there are many reasons why an adult would seek this type of treatment well past their teens. Think of some of the following:
- Teeth can shift positions over time
- Trauma moved one or more teeth
- You were unable to undergo treatment at an earlier age
- You were waiting to finish other treatments like periodontal care
It is not too late to start working on your teeth’ alignment. You can review with us which options are available for your treatment, why you would need orthodontic treatment for adults, and what benefits you can get from this treatment.
Why Would You Need Orthodontic Treatment for Adults?
Usually, patients develop orthodontic complications due to genetic factors. However, you may have gone through an accident where your teeth suffered some trauma, and they are now malaligned. Adults can always consult with an Albany orthodontist to look for ways to fix their smiles.
Some commons orthodontic problems are:
- Crooked Teeth or Overcrowding
- Jaw Malocclusions
- Underbites
- Crossbites
- Overbites
- Diastema or Gap Teeth
These conditions have significant repercussions on anyone’s development. Consider that there is a relationship between malocclusions and speech problems or respiratory complications.
You may have endured those additional complications for years, and you may now have the opportunity to correct them, or some recent accident made you require orthodontic treatment to recover your perfect smile.
Regardless of the reason, whether you’ve needed orthodontic treatment for a long or not, this type of treatment can prove to be highly beneficial in your case.
What Treatments Are an Option for Adults?
Orthodontists rely on a series of appliances to move your teeth and realign your jaws. These appliances work on a simple principle: using force to gradually move your teeth and achieve an adequate relation between your lower and upper jaws.
Orthodontic appliances have benefited from advancements in material science and design innovations for decades. That is why orthodontists are able to present you with many options when planning your treatment.
You may already know several of them:
- Traditional Metal Braces
- Clear Aligners
- Ceramic Braces
- Lingual Braces
- Self-Ligating Brackets
These are all options that leverage small changes in design and various manufacturing materials to cater specifically to your orthodontic problems.
Traditional Metal Braces
These appliances are made out of stainless steel. Your orthodontist will bond individual brackets to each of your teeth; these braces are interconnected with the use of an archwire, and additional ligatures secure the archwires in place.
These appliances are some of the most reliable options available to patients because the material is highly resistant; however, the ligatures are prone to collecting bacteria, which means patients should be even more careful with their oral hygiene routine.
Ceramic Braces
This option, usually referred to as clear braces, uses a special composite material (Developed by NASA) to manufacture the brackets. The color more easily matches your natural tooth color, resulting in a discreet alternative to your treatment.
You would do well to pay close attention to your orthodontist’s warnings about what foods to avoid. These brackets are a bit less durable than those of traditional braces.
Clear Aligners
Nearly invisible trays help realign your teeth and jaws without drawing any unwanted attention to your smile. Besides, these aligners are removable, so you will have a much better time cleaning them and your teeth after each meal.
Many patients prefer this alternative because it blends almost entirely with their professional lifestyle.
The Benefits You Get From Orthodontic Treatment for Adults
Completing treatment, regardless of your age, provides you with several benefits. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Improved Appearance and Self-Esteem
While the primary goal of orthodontic treatment is to improve your dental health, there are cosmetic perks to it as well. You can significantly improve your appearance by working on your smile. Our appearance contributes to our self-esteem, as concluded by this study.
Working on your smile will also boost your self-esteem within professional settings.
Oral Health Improvements
There are considerable benefits to your dental health upon completing your orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic problems make it harder to maintain good oral hygiene, and solving these issues contributes to avoiding periodontal disease.
Getting the Professional Help You Need for Your Orthodontic Treatment for Adults
If you want to begin treatment to fix your smile, you must get in touch with an orthodontist of your trust. Make sure to consult about a strategy that considers multi-disciplinary work to provide you with the best solutions possible.
Your orthodontic treatment may require interventions from prosthodontists and periodontists at different stages to make sure that you are getting the right treatment.
You may need to take care of any periodontal complications you have before engaging with an orthodontist. Finally, you may also have to wait to finish your treatment with orthodontic appliances before you start consulting with a specialist to get prosthodontics like dental crowns or veneers.
Get in touch with our orthodontists to start planning your journey toward a healthier and more beautiful smile. Follow this link to set your next appointment online, or give us a call at (510) 525-1772.
