7 Facts To Know About Braces For Adults

For years, pre-teens and teens ages 8 to 14 were the primary orthodontic patients, but today many adults seek treatment as well. In fact, about 1.4 million adult patients received braces or some other teeth straightening treatment in 2021 (according to data by the American Association of Orthodontists). The number of adult patients getting orthodontic treatment increased by 18% from 2022 to 2023.

This trend of adults getting braces is not expected to change any time soon, as more and more grownups realize that it’s never too late to have braces put on to repair crooked teeth, correct bite problems, and improve smile. Here are some facts you need to know about braces for adults.

Adult braces are an option at any age.

As far as the age goes, there’s no set age for getting adult braces – some adults get braces when they’re 18, some get them when they are 30, and some even go for braces when they are 50! So adults of any age can wear braces provided their bones, gums and teeth are healthy enough to withstand the forces involved. Many adults who get braces never received orthodontic treatment when they were young, or their teeth may have started to shift later on in life due to a variety of factors such as wisdom teeth pushing through or missing teeth. Through braces for adults, these people are able to make their teeth and smile look as good as possible.

There’s not much difference between children and adult braces.

Adult patients undergoing orthodontia care will know that there isn’t really much difference between kids and adult braces. In the general sense, the same design of the appliance is used; the materials used are fairly the same and so are the components used to trigger movement. Nonetheless, younger patients are usually inclined towards mini braces while grownups often find clear and ceramic braces more appealing. There are also other differences in terms of treatment (as we shall see below).

The process of placing adult braces can be complicated and there are often challenges and concerns that must first be addressed before installation.

Orthodontic treatment for adult patients is often fraught with challenges. Firstly, adult patients tend to have some level of tooth decay or gum disease. They may also have undergone some form of restorative or cosmetic dental procedure like fillings, crowns, bridges or root canals. These issues may pose risks during treatment. Before adult braces are installed, the orthodontist will evaluate any prior treatments and issues that could bring complications and find ways to tackle them. Any form of tooth decay or gum disease must first be corrected before braces are put on.

Also, because adult teeth and gums are not as flexible as those of children and teens, the braces tend to cause sensitivity or even pain when pressure is applied in some patients. Some adults may find wearing traditional metal braces very uncomfortable. Many adult orthodontia patients also report that wearing dental braces makes their teeth to feel a bit loose, but this problem normally disappears once the treatment is complete.

Braces for adults come in a variety of options.

There are four main types of adult braces to choose from: metal braces, invisible orthodontics, ceramic braces and lingual braces. Traditional metal braces are the most inexpensive. They are also extremely effective at straightening teeth, but have one massive drawback – they are very noticeable and aesthetically unappealing. Adults who are conscious about their looks prefer the more modern options like invisible or concealed braces.

Invisible (Invisalign) braces utilize a series of clear, customized, removable aligners to straighten teeth. These braces are practically invisible and can be removed when necessary, like when brushing, flossing, or during meals. However, these braces work best for adult patients who don’t have significant teeth problems.

Ceramic braces are another less noticeable option for patients who are conscious of their appearance. The ceramic brackets are crafted to blend in with the teeth so they are not noticeable. However, they are prone to staining from certain foods and beverages and can break or chip.

Lingual braces are brackets that are customized and installed to hide behind the teeth, and this also makes them a great option for adults concerned with aesthetics. They require a trained and skillful orthodontist to place them through a complicated process. Because of this, these braces tend to be more expensive than other types of braces.

Braces for adults are worn for a longer period of time.

Children braces deliver teeth straightening results very fast. But the same cannot be said of adult braces. On average, the treatment time for teens and pre-teens is 18 months, compared to 24 to 36 months for adult orthodontic patients. The longer treatment time for adults is because the adult’s teeth and bones are already fully developed and rigid and, therefore, take longer to shift to the correct positions. The teeth move slowly in adults and their muscles and bone also take longer to heal. However, the exact length of treatment time can vary depending on the complexity of the case or the level of correction needed.

Fees for adult braces are slightly higher than those required for younger patients.

Braces for adults typically cost more than kid’s braces. This is because the orthodontic treatment for adults is more complex and there often accompanying teeth conditions that orthodontists are forced to address during the installation. A lot of preparation and follow-up treatment are required for adult braces, and this can significantly increase the cost of the procedure. Typically, prices vary across the country, but adults pay $6000 – $8500 for braces on average.

Still on matters of cost, it’s worth noting that regular health insurance doesn’t cover adult braces; and even for those with private dental insurance, the out of pocket expenses are higher compared to those of kids braces.

Braces for adults offer many benefits.

Braces for adults offer an effective solution for correcting problems, such as crooked teeth, teeth crowding, underbites and overbites, jaw joint disorders or incorrect jaw positioning. When left unaddressed, these problems can lead to complications such as tooth decay, gum disease, earaches, headaches as well as chewing, biting or speech problems. Braces allow adults to overcome these problems and improve teeth function, facial appearance and oral health. By correcting malocclusions, adult patients are also able to realize improved self-confidence and self-esteem.

How To Make Your Teeth Straight Without Braces?

Is there a way to get your teeth straight without braces? It is a fact that not every one of us has been blessed with straight teeth. This stresses the need for straightening the teeth using braces as the most popular method.

Regardless of the popularity of braces however, not everyone is a fan. Some people just hate the metallic look o their teeth when they talk or smile while others simply can’t afford the high cost of the braces.

Do you fall in the category of people who don’t endorse braces for teeth straightening?

If yes, guess what?

You have just landed in the right place. Below, you are going to learn about various methods you can use to straighten your teeth other than braces.

So, before we dive into more details lets just know how braces works:

Is it possible to make your teeth straight without braces?

By promising you that you’ll learn new methods of straighten your teeth in this post, we have just said Yes to the above question.

However, we just repeated the question to assure you that fixing your teeth misalignment is very possible without involving the braces.

So, what’s next?

Let’s hold an in-depth discussion of various methods of straightening your teeth.

How to Make Your Teeth Straight Without Braces

To be able to straighten your teeth without using braces, the first thing you need to do is understand the idea behind the working of the braces.

Simply put, braces are designed in such a way that they slowly apply pressure on each tooth that needs proper alignment, enabling it to eventually shift its current position to the desired one.

It is also important to understand that all your teeth can easily move around and this is what makes the braces work.

With that in mind, you can now set to try some simple home remedies to straighten your teeth.

One such remedy involves using your finger and tongue to slowly push the misaligned teeth in the desired direction. If you conduct this simple exercise daily on your teeth for a given period of time, you’ll eventually start seeing positive results! This method would probably be more efficient if only one tooth needs straightening.

Another pretty awesome idea of aligning your teeth from the comfort of your home is use of dental floss. Simply tie your teeth together and then apply pressure to make them move around and viola! Within a short time your teeth will be in the desirable positions.

When using these DIY home methods to straighten your teeth however, it’s important to be very careful as a single mistake may cause you long-term teeth and gum problems.

If the above home treatment methods doesn’t seem to work on your teeth and you still don’t want to use braces, it is not yet over. There are other methods that can help straighten your teeth.

These methods are:

Use of Retainers

Retainers are especially helpful if your condition is severe and cannot be treated using home remedies. The good news about retainers is that they work just in a similar manner to the braces, making them a prefect replacement for the latter. They involve a single big wire that guides the teeth for the upper jaw and another for the lower jaw.

For effectiveness, retainers should be well measured and perfectly fitted with springs to make it easy for you to fix them on your teeth on your own.

Use of Removable Plastic Aligners

Plastic aligners are also a great way to straighten your teeth. The product is readily available and you can buy it over the counter. Unlike braces which are permanently fixed on your teeth, you can remove the aligners every now and then without struggling. Aligners straighten your teeth without encumbering them as the braces do.

Some of the benefits of using aligners over braces is that they are clean and invisible (which means that you don’t have to worry about aesthetics), you can easily remove them when necessary and you can eat what you want- unlike the braces which impose some meal restrictions on you.

Straightening With Braces Vs Manual Straightening

Now that you have learned the various ways of straightening your teeth without having to use braces, it won’t hurt to compares these methods with the method of braces, right? Well, let’s see how these methods differ:

• From what you have read above, you’ll bear with me that manual methods are way cheaper than braces method. Take for example the home remedy that does not require you to spend any penny to straighten your teeth. Braces on the other hand are an expensive investment that takes several thousand dollars out of your pocket.
• If you are using the manual methods, it’s also clear that you don’t require any level of expertise, that’s why we call them DIY home methods. On the contrary, braces can only be fitted on your teeth by a professional orthodontist. The process of fixing the braces on your teeth is also time-consuming and requires you to pay dearly for the procedure.
• While use of manual methods to straighten your teeth is not always a safe option, using braces is very safe as the exercise is conducted by an experienced practitioner. Making a single mistake with manual methods may bring about unwanted long-term teeth complications.

All in all, both manual and braces methods of teeth straightening are highly effective if conducted properly. They will give you exactly what you require- well aligned teeth!

Conclusion

So, that’s it: those are the top methods that you can employ to straighten your teeth at the comfort of your home. The fact that these methods are very cheap and easy to use means that they can save you a slot of cash. Try these methods today and give us your testimony!

How braces work to straighten teeth and align the jaw

Braces are orthodontic devices that are used to straighten teeth and align the jaw. The braces work by exerting a continuous, gentle pressure on the teeth, gradually moving them into the desired position. The pressure is applied through archwires, which are attached to brackets that are bonded to the teeth. The archwires are tightened regularly, which adjusts the force and helps to move the teeth.

Braces work by stimulating the bone around the teeth to change shape, which allows the teeth to move into their new positions. This process is called remodeling. As the braces move the teeth, the bone around them is slowly broken down and rebuilt to support the new position. This process can take several months to several years, depending on the severity of the case.

In addition to straightening teeth, braces can also correct bite problems. When the teeth are not aligned properly, it can affect the way the upper and lower jaws fit together. Braces can help to correct this by aligning the teeth and jaws, which can improve chewing and speaking, as well as the overall appearance of the face.

Overall, braces are an effective and common way to correct dental problems. They require a bit of patience and some maintenance, but the end result is a healthier and more beautiful smile. If you are considering braces, be sure to talk to your orthodontist to determine if they are right for you.