At Moffett & Walley Orthodontics, we believe braces are for people of all ages who desire healthier, functional smiles, not just children and teens! It is never too late to invest in yourself, and orthodontic work is no exception! We’re proud to treat adult patients in the Clinton and Madison areas. Before we get into which treatment option is the best type of braces for adults, let’s discuss why an adult should seek care.
But First, Why Would An Adult Want Braces?
Because your teeth and jaw alignment are linked to your oral, physical, and mental health, braces are a surefire way of enhancing your quality of life! Misalignments can negatively impact your overall well-being and lifestyle in ways you might not have thought of! Here are some examples:
- Overcrowded teeth are harder to clean, leading to a build-up of plaque and bacteria that causes bad breath, tooth decay, gum disease, and more.
- Crooked teeth can decrease your chances of getting a job, having second dates, and making friends.
- Malocclusion can make chewing challenging and increase your risk of choking. In severe cases, it can lead to poor nutrition, vitamin deficiencies, and digestive problems.
- You are more likely to suffer from dry mouth, migraines, and neck pain.
- Pain in the jaw or mouth can make talking, eating, and performing oral hygiene unpleasant. Once developed, this condition, known as TMD, is usually for life.
What Treatment Options Are There?
All of our treatment options are fantastic for adults, but which one is best for you depends on your lifestyle and needs.
Invisalign Clear Aligners
Clear aligners are removable, transparent trays that straighten the teeth by applying pressure. Our Invisalign clear aligners provide stunning smiles with minimal disruption to your lifestyle. Each tray is custom-made for comfort and a low-profile look, so you’ll quickly forget you’re wearing them, and most people won’t even see them! The customized treatment program lets you finish treatment in as little as six months because the trays can target your specific needs!
The removability of the trays gives you flexibility and freedom while still providing excellent results. For example, you may maintain your regular diet and hygiene routine because you must remove the trays for eating, drinking, and performing oral hygiene.
Invisalign is great for adult patients with mild to medium bite needs who need flexibility in their lifestyle and can handle the responsibility of a removable orthodontic appliance.
Metal Braces
Don’t let the age of this option fool you; metal braces have aged like “fine wine” thanks to constant advancements in technology!
Metal braces use brackets forged of stainless steel, nickel, and other durable metals, wires, and colorful ligatures to apply pressure to the teeth. The brackets are glued to the teeth, so you will be required to change your diet and oral hygiene routine.
As the most durable option, metal braces are ideal for patients who need additional tools like the Mara and Herbst appliances or rubber bands to align to their teeth and jaw. They can also withstand rougher treatment, so if you feel you won’t be gentle with your fixed appliance, this is the way to go!
Metal braces are great for patients with various bite needs who wish to finish treatment as quickly as possible and know they modify their diet accordingly.
Clear Braces
If you prefer a subtle appearance but don’t want the responsibility of clear aligners or are concerned that your bite needs might be too complex for them, don’t worry. Clear braces are bonded to the teeth and use tooth-colored ligatures and brackets to create the impression of transparent braces! Though not as “invisible” as clear aligners, they blend in with your teeth for a less noticeable look than their metal counterpart.
The braces are also unlikely to stain, so there’s no need to worry about that! However, the glue and the ligatures might become discolored over time, so we recommend (along with the other braces dietary guidelines) avoiding items that can stain your teeth, such as coffee or tea, to preserve their low-profile aesthetic for as long as possible.
The tooth-colored brackets are resilient but not as durable as metal brackets. If you are not careful, they can chip and crack. We recommend these braces to patients with various bite needs who will take care of them.
Things To Consider
Knowing which one is right for you can quickly become challenging if you qualify for more than one option. When narrowing down your choices, consider the following:
- Would you prefer if your braces are fixed or removable?
- Can you handle the responsibility of removable braces?
- Can you adjust your diet and oral hygiene routine to accommodate fixed braces?
- Do you want your braces to be less noticeable to others?
- Do you need a heavy-duty option?
- Would you like treatment to finish as soon as possible?
- Are you going to be gentle on your fixed appliances?
For the most beneficial and pleasant experience, we urge you to be realistic when considering how different options will fit into your life. For example, you don’t want to convince yourself that you can handle removable appliances when you know you are constantly losing things!
Visit Moffett & Walley To Learn Which Options You Qualify For!
Visit Moffett & Walley To Learn Which Options You Qualify For!To start your braces journey, schedule your free consultation with Moffett & Walley Orthodontics! The sooner you begin, the sooner you can see results, so contact us now! We can’t wait to help you improve yourself and look forward to meeting you soon!