If you are pondering the question “can adults get braces” the answer is yes. Numerous studies show that more and more adults are getting braces today. Braces in adults can be performed for many reasons, with many of them being reasons connected to dental health, and others simply to improve a smile for personal or professional purposes. When teeth are not aligned in adulthood, a wide range of impacts could be experienced by the patient considering getting braces as an adult.
The American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) estimates that one in four American adults is getting braces today. Another study shows that between 2012 and 2014, adults getting braces increased by 16 percent, with over 1.1 million dental patients in the United States and Canada getting braces.
If you are considering getting braces as an adult, don’t let your age discourage you from this decision. Use this guide to learn more about how adults can get braces, and live a happier and more positive lifestyle.
Can Adults Get Braces?
Yes, it is true that adults can get braces, and more adults are getting them today. For people considering this, there are more options today for getting braces in adults than there ever have been. Braces in children may work a little faster because their jaws and mouth alignment are softer as they develop. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get braces as an adult.
Braces work on mouth alignment because they are physical treatments that work to move the teeth into an alignment that makes a better foundation for the teeth to mature in a healthy way as someone ages. When your mouth isn’t aligned, your teeth could suffer. A poorly aligned jaw could mean that your gum health suffers and your teeth are more at risk of cavities, cracking, or breakage. The pressure of braces can slowly move your teeth into a better alignment such that your teeth sit closer together and help you maintain good dental health.
If you have an overbite or an underbite, where one part of your jaw protrudes further than the other, you would be a good candidate for braces. Any kind of spacing between your teeth will suggest the same. Many people with a speech impediment as a result of their dental health can treat that with braces as well. There are many different options for braces today.
Aligners, metal braces, lingual braces, and ceramic braces are the most common kinds of braces for braces in adults and children. There are no unique braces for braces in adults. You will get the kind that fits your lifestyle and needs when you are choosing your braces. There are many stories of the success of braces in adults that can help you to make your decisions.
When you are consulting with orthodontists, you can get an idea from their own patient testimonials. There are many testimonials online as well. One woman in her 40s thought she would try getting metal braces because she had been thinking about it her whole life and wanted a nicer smile. When she was able to afford them on her own, she got braces and saw a huge difference in her life.
Within a year of getting braces, she got a better job and felt more confident in her personal relationships. She began to socialize more and felt more free to have fun in her life. A man in his 50s looking to get braces had been shy about gaps in his teeth his whole life. He felt the difference in his mouth as soon as he began to use aligners that helped him to straighten his smile and smile more at the world.
Benefits of Adult Orthodontic Treatment
There are many benefits of braces in adults, with the greatest benefits being that your life will improve. You will experience more confidence in your life, and have better oral and dental health. If you are wondering if adults can get braces, any orthodontist will tell you that yes, it happens all the time. The key benefits are that you will have a healthier and more beautiful smile.
Although it can be easier to resolve these problems in childhood, this is not always possible, as the jaw can still be aligned and moved as an adult. You will have fewer dental issues and problems with your teeth once you complete your course of braces. One study looking at getting braces as adults examined the benefits of it, and found that 75 percent of people with braces, in adults, reported higher satisfaction rates in both their personal and professional lives after getting braces as adults. That study found that 92 percent of those who got braces would recommend braces to adult family members and friends.
Orthodontic Treatment Options for Adults
There are many different treatment options for braces as adults. Metal braces, aligners like Invisalign, lingual braces, and ceramic braces are among the most common. After you wear braces, you may need to wear a retainer for a while to ensure that your teeth stay in position after the braces. The entire process can be lengthy, but anyone who has done it will tell you that the time spent is worth the wait.
The most common kind of brace for adults is metal braces where brackets are fastened to the teeth and the teeth are wired together with products that are typically stainless steel. Most of these cases will have the brackets held together with rubber bands as well. This is a very gentle way of moving the teeth. Today’s metal braces are much smaller and less noticeable than they ever have been.
Ceramic braces work the same as metal braces, but they are ceramic brackets instead of metal brackets. The benefit here is that they are less noticeable, which can matter to some people. Wires are used to connect the brackets across the teeth. This kind of braces can also be described as more comfortable for the patient.
Lingual braces are the same kind of braces as metal braces, but the braces are on the inside of the mouth instead of facing outward. The key benefit here is that they are not as noticeable as those that are on the outside of the tooth. Liners and treatments such as Invisalign are rubber guards that are molded to fit your teeth and are a one-piece thing to wear that will help to straighten your teeth. These will take a little longer to work, but are often clear and can not be noticed as much as metal braces.
Factors Influencing Adult Braces Cost
There are many different factors influencing the cost of adult braces. The kind of braces that you need will play a role here. Ceramic braces, for example, will cost more than metal braces, and lingual braces on the interior of the mouth will be more expensive than metal braces on the outside of the mouth. The complexity of your mouth and dental issues will also play a role in your costs.
Getting braces for adults is a lengthy process that requires a lot of appointments with your orthodontist. This will play a role in the costs of your braces or aligners. People with severe underbites or overbites, or large gaps in their mouth may find that getting braces will be lengthy and costly. For smaller orthodontic issues, you may find the costs will be lowered.
There are many ways to cover the costs of braces. Dental insurance will sometimes cover the costs of braces, or cover the costs in part. At the same time, many orthodontists will not want the payments in full upfront but may be able to help you finance the costs of your braces over time. Because braces in adults can be a lengthy process, you may not have to pay for everything all at once.
Other factors that will influence the costs of braces in adults include the reason for the braces. The more severe your dental issues are, the more complex your case. In adults, braces will take longer to do the job than they will in children because the teeth are already set in their way. The longer you need treatment, the more expensive it will be.
Choosing the Right Orthodontist as an Adult
You can get braces as an adult with the right orthodontist who will understand your needs and your desired goals. It can be much more difficult emotionally to get braces for an adult because you will worry about your physical appearance and be concerned that you have something unsightly that needs explanation. Getting braces will be a transition that will help you improve that confidence down the road, but if you want to work with an orthodontist who will help you feel good about it. You will be wearing braces for a long time and will have a lot of visits with your orthodontist.
Spend some time having consultations and finding the orthodontist that makes the right fit for you emotionally. You don’t have to select the first orthodontist that you visit. Do some research online and check for reviews of the right doctors in your area. Testimonials and reviews can help you find an orthodontist who will work with you, and everything that you need.
Most orthodontists will accept dental care insurance, but you need to make sure that the plans and the financing are clearly explained. You’ll need that explained by both your insurance company and the orthodontists that you are looking for. A good orthodontist will answer all of your financial questions and be prepared to help you with the best plan for your budget and your lifestyle. You want one that is going to have the mindset that this is not something you will need to worry about too much, and can help you plan payments or budgeting along the way.
At the same time, you want an orthodontist who is going to help you feel emotionally and physically comfortable with this big change you are planning. Getting braces is a big decision in many areas of your life. It can cost as much as $10,000 depending on what kind of braces you get and your needs. But at the same time, it can be an embarrassing and emotionally draining process, and you want an orthodontist who will be there for you.
Consider Braces in Adults Today
When you are wondering if adults can get braces, the answer will always be yes. Braces are as effective for adults as they are for children, although they can take a little longer to work than braces for teens or young people. Getting braces as adults is a big decision that can have a significant positive impact in many areas of your life. Start your consultations with multiple orthodontists today and see the benefits for yourself.
