A lot of patients come to our office wondering if they’re too old to get braces. Our answer? It’s never too late to get braces! As long as your teeth and gums are healthy, you’re a candidate for orthodontic treatment.
Benefits of Braces for Adults
Naturally, the most common reason adults are interested in getting braces is because they want to straighten their teeth to improve the appearance of their smiles. For these patients, orthodontic treatment gives them improved self-confidence and even impacts the way others see them.
The cosmetic benefits of braces are important, but there are other reasons to get braces as an adult. Straighter teeth are easier to keep clean, lowering your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Bite issues can make your teeth susceptible to damage and even cause TMJ disorder; braces have the potential to alleviate TMJ pain in these cases.
Adult Braces vs. Aligners
Our adult patients are often good candidates for Invisalign aligners, which can help with some of the hesitation a lot of adults have about pursuing orthodontic treatment. Invisalign is a comfortable, convenient, and discreet orthodontic treatment option, which means it interferes very little in your daily life. Your coworkers and acquaintances won’t even notice that you’re wearing aligners.
There are some rare cases in which Invisalign isn’t an option, but as Invisalign technology has advanced, so too has its ability to treat a wide range of orthodontic issues. The cost difference between braces and Invisalign depends on your unique needs, but you may be surprised to find that it’s not as significant as you expected, particularly if you have dental insurance that covers adult orthodontia.
Types of Braces for Adults
If you prefer braces to Invisalign, or if Invisalign isn’t a fit for you, we have a few options available, each of which is well-suited for adult patients.
Ceramic brackets (also known as clear braces) are made with a tooth-colored ceramic material that blends in with your smile. Patients are sometimes apprehensive that ceramic brackets will stain over time, but the Damon ceramic brackets we use are made to be stain-resistant, which means you won’t have to worry about them changing color and becoming noticeable. Damon brackets are smaller than traditional brackets, too, making them more comfortable and discreet.
We also offer Damon stainless steel braces, which are tieless, so the wires are not attached to the brackets with elastic bands. As a result, Damon metal brackets are lower profile than their traditional counterparts. Whether you choose ceramic, stainless steel, or titanium brackets, our high-tech arch wires move teeth more quickly and predictably than ever before.
What does this mean for you? It means you'll have a shorter treatment time! Even if you don't like the idea of wearing braces as an adult, most of our patients feel that their treatment goes by quickly and that having a beautiful smile at the end of it was well-worth it.
Schedule a Consultation
Are you considering adult braces? Contact us today at 828-464-5300 to schedule an appointment for a consultation at Hass Family Orthodontics and find out which option is best for your unique needs.