Braces can be used at any age and don't diminish your attractiveness. You can expect to wear braces for adults ages 14 to 26 months. While it's generally recommended that orthodontic treatment be performed during adolescence, it's not because braces hurt more in adults. No matter how old you are, you're likely to experience the same level of discomfort after an adjustment, which will subside over the next few days.
Braces are often considered a rite of passage for teens, and many of their peers are likely to undergo treatment at the same time, which may help alleviate some of their insecurities. In general, adults who want to wear braces also maintain more consistent oral hygiene than those who don't value a healthy smile. Likewise, if you're just organizing your own orthodontic treatment and not a group of children, you may be able to afford a more expensive option, such as lingual braces. In any case, there is an upward trend, as more than a million adults opt for orthodontic appliances every year.
The average amount of time you spend wearing braces depends on the style you choose and the severity of the problem, among other factors. Many adults who are concerned about their age at the start of treatment will also share questions about the practicality of conventional orthodontic appliances made of stainless steel. This is why many adults prefer more subtle treatment options, such as ceramic braces, lingual braces or transparent aligners to achieve a straighter smile. While younger patients only need to have a full set of permanent teeth before having dental braces placed on them, there are several requirements that must be met so that adults can have the same success with orthodontic appliances.
If patients aren't sure what the best orthodontic option is to avoid bulky metal braces, there are some alternatives to consider, such as transparent braces, invisible braces, such as Invisalign, and lingual braces (less common). According to the American Association of Orthodontists, there are a large number of patients who have dental appliances placed every day over the age of 18.When you're finally ready to put on your braces, you can work with your dentist to find the best option for you. If you still want to take advantage of the principles that make conventional orthodontic appliances so reliable in the field of orthodontics, but prefer to avoid the typical “metal face” look that comes with stainless steel appliances, you can turn to transparent ceramic appliances. However, adults who want to correct their dental misalignments with braces should continue reading to learn about additional requirements and alternatives to using traditional metal braces.
Leave a Comment