Adult Braces: 3 Facts You Need to Know

Adult braces can be a touchy subject. If you’re embarrassed with your current smile, you may have been been told by your dentist you need braces to avoid long-term problems.

Whatever the reason, you’re probably weighing up the benefits of correcting your malocclusion against the stigma, inconvenience and appearance of adult braces.

Here are 3 facts about adult braces to help you make a decision as well as a treatment option that can alleviate your distress.

1. Braces help more than crooked teeth.

If you needed braces as a kid, but didn’t get them, you may have learned to just accept your smile.

However, it’s important you know that incorrect positioning of teeth (called a malocclusion) can lead to serious issues further down the road, including:

• Uneven or premature wear of your molars

• Jaw and joint pain

• Gum disease

Straightening your smile will also help align your teeth and jaws, leading to less stress and wear. Adult braces and clear aligners accomplish this feat by gently coaxing your teeth into their proper place over time.

2. You may need adult braces, even if you had braces as a kid.

Many people think that once they’re finished with braces in their youth, they’re done with all orthodontic treatment. Unfortunately, for many people, that’s not always the case.

The fact is that many kids don’t have the diligence to consistently wear their retainers. Without the retainer support, the likelihood that the teeth will revert to improper positions increases.

Even if you did wear your retainer consistently, most kids aren’t finished growing by the time they are done with their orthodontic treatment. The jaw bones continue to grow, and many will get their wisdom teeth after finishing with their braces (and retainers).

So even if you had braces as a teen, there’s a good chance you need adult braces today.

Luckily, your adult braces don’t have to be a repeat of the “metal mouth” teen years. There are many more options available to you. Invisalign clear aligners, for example, are practically invisible and can be taken out for meals!

3. Many adults choose to get braces.

While children still represent the biggest proportion of people wearing braces, adult wearers are catching up.

People sporting adult braces in the U.S. topped 1 million back in 2011. In the U.K., the number of adults getting braces is growing rapidly.

Perhaps one of the reasons adult braces have grown so quickly is the presence of celebrities sporting braces in public, including:

• Faith Hill in 2013.

• At 40, megastar Tom Cruise.

• Faye Dunaway… at 61!

The list goes on, and could be even larger thanks to more discreet options (such as clear plastic aligners) that are now available.

Invisalign clear aligners are designed to be nearly invisible, convenient and unobtrusive, allowing your smile to steal the show (rather than your metal braces).

With Invisalign clear aligners, you can straighten your teeth and enjoy a number of benefits:

• Experience trips to the dentist that don’t involve painful wire tightening!

• Eat what you want, without worry! You’ll remove your clear aligners before meals to eat what you please.

• Easy and simple oral care—simply pop out your Invisalign clear aligners to brush and floss your teeth.

With so many more options available than ever before, it’s easy to see why a growing number of people are making the choice for adult braces and orthodontic treatments.

To start your journey to a happier, healthier smile, contact your local MiSmile provider today, and schedule a no-obligation, free consultation!