We often think of dental braces as being a treatment option for teens and young adults, but thanks to increasing awareness of evolving orthodontic technology and new teeth straightening treatment methods, more and more adult men and women are choosing to perfect their smiles later in life.
Regardless of whether you’ve always wanted a straighter smile but didn’t want dental braces as a teen, or you want beautiful straight teeth for an upcoming special event, or you simply want to boost your confidence and smile more, adult braces may be a great option for you.
There are two main types of dental braces available to straighten your smile:
Option 1: Metal Dental Braces
Metal dental braces have been a popular teeth-straightening option for decades, and have helped thousands of patients around the world achieve a more beautiful smile, and restore greater function to their bite.
Metal braces are bonded to the surface of your teeth with dental cement, and help teeth gradually shift into their correct alignment as the wires connecting the metal brackets on teeth are tightened over time. Metal dental braces are an extremely effective treatment option, and are suitable for teens and adults alike.
Option 2: Invisalign
Like traditional dental braces, Invisalign works to gradually shift teeth into their correct position over time. The key different between metal braces and Invisalign is that Invisalign employs a series of custom-made clear aligner trays, as opposed to bonding braces brackets to the teeth. These clear plastic trays gently guide teeth into their correct alignment, and are virtually invisible when worn – making them a popular choice among patients looking for a more subtle teeth straightening treatment.
Unlike metal dental braces which are permanently bonded to the teeth until they are ready to be removed at the end of treatment, Invisalign aligner trays can be taken out of the mouth for eating, brushing and flossing, allowing the patient to more easily keep their teeth clean and healthy during treatment, while avoiding some of the pitfalls of metal braces, such as gum and mouth ulcers and tooth etching.
Click here for more information about the benefits and differences between Invisalign and braces.
Why Get Adult Braces?
Straightening your teeth can significantly enhance your self-esteem and boost your confidence. Everyone wants to look great and feel great – and increased self-esteem can help to improve your social life, and even your performance and confidence at work.
If you’re looking forward to a special event such as a milestone birthday, holiday or reunion – or if you’re getting married – straightening your teeth with adult braces is a great way to celebrate the event, feel great on the day, and ensure you’re looking your best in all those photos.
Many couples choose to get Invisalign adult braces together, to straighten their teeth before their wedding day. The great thing about Invisalign is that, even if your treatment is on the day of your wedding, your clear aligners can easily be taken out for that one big day.
Are Adult Braces Right for You?
Whatever the aesthetic look and functional health of your teeth, dental braces is a great treatment option to transform your smile at any age. Metal braces are still the best-known teeth straightening method – though Invisalign clear aligners have become an increasingly popular adult braces option for those people looking for a more subtle but effective means of perfecting their smile.
Everyone’s smile is different, but an initial consultation with your dentist will help you determine whether adult braces are right for you, and if so, which adult braces treatment option will best serve your needs and deliver the teeth straightening results you want to achieve.
Have a question about adult braces? Ask us online for more information.