We typically think of braces as something we get when we’re younger. But there are plenty of benefits of getting braces into adulthood. Dental health doesn’t end when you get older, so it’s important to know how to keep your smile in shape. If your teeth are affecting your confidence, or you’re finding it difficult to brush or floss, you don’t have to accept your teeth as they are now. In fact, adults make up about one in every five orthodontic patients today.
The kind of health and confidence one gets from braces should be enjoyed at any age. And thanks to advancements in dental technology, the process is easier and more pain-free than it’s ever been. No longer do orthodontic patients have to deal with painful headgear, clunky bands, and overly tight stainless steel wires. Orthodontic treatment is more comfortable than ever, allowing adults a better experience than years prior.
Selden Orthodontics is up to date on all the ways that getting adult braces is easier than ever. If you’re an adult seeking orthodontic treatment, we want you to enjoy all the benefits this cutting-edge technology has to offer. Whether you’re looking for a cosmetic upgrade or just want to improve the overall functionality of your teeth, we’ve got you covered.
Improved Overall Health
Braces do more than just straighten your teeth—they provide lots of other health benefits as well. Common health problems such as headaches, jaw pain, and even digestion and sleep issues can be avoided by getting braces.
Braces can be more high maintenance, but this maintenance can encourage habits that increase overall oral cleanliness. The extra care and attention that goes into cleaning your teeth with braces lead to an overall healthier, cleaner mouth. Straighter teeth can also make the cleaning process easier, with less room for plaque and bacteria to grow inside. This decreases your risk of cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease. It can also give you more access to your gum line, which makes flossing much easier.
As for benefits that go beyond your mouth, your teeth are a crucial part of the digestive process, and so their overall effect on your health goes on a long way. For example, misalignment of your jaw can cause damage to the area where your teeth meet when you take a bite, which can make the chewing process difficult and painful. When your jaw or teeth do not meet properly when you’re chewing, you risk over-exerting your jaw muscles which can lead to complications like TMD or temporomandibular joint disorder. The result of not chewing properly is that your digestion can be compromised, as food is not adequately digested, and can lead to diminished nutrient absorption, indigestion, and reflux.
Cost Efficient
Whether you had braces when you were younger, or you’re getting them for the first time as an adult, braces can be cost-efficient. All the expensive dentist visits that keep your smile in shape can be decreased with the benefits of braces. They can help you fight cavities, reduce your risk of gum disease, avoid expensive dental procedures like tooth extractions, and leave no room for the chance of prosthetics in the future. Specific orthodontic issues like jaw misalignment can wear down your teeth, which can leave your teeth chipped, cracked, or even gone altogether, which can be costly for you in the long run. Adult braces can help you avoid these pricey problems. On top of that, braces deal with these problems directly, so you don’t have to see specialists who will treat symptoms of problems rather than the source. All this helps you save time, money, and hassle by tackling the root of problems before they can arise. The result is a better long-term smile for a lower price.
Variety of Treatment
There are plenty of treatment options for how you want to create the perfect smile. Selden Orthodontics offers the latest orthodontics technology and treatment, so your new orthodontic treatment is fast and affordable.
Metal braces
Traditional metal braces are the most time and cost-effective, orthodontic treatment. They are the most recognizable type of braces, and their technology has come a long way with durable stainless steel brackets connected by metal wires that are gradually tightened to adjust your teeth over time. Your orthodontist secures the brackets to your teeth with mouth-friendly glue and the braces are worn with elastic bands that help secure the archwires and assist with bite correction. Plus, the bands come in a variety of colors, so you can add some fun and personality to your braces!
Ceramic braces
Want something less noticeable? Ceramic braces, also known as “clear braces”, provide a discrete alternative to traditional metal braces. These braces work a similar way to metal braces but are designed to appear almost invisible with a smaller size and made of tooth-colored polycrystalline ceramic material. This one is especially preferred by adults and older teens for its more covert approach. The only downside to ceramic braces, as opposed to metal ones, is that these braces are more likely to break or stain depending on your eating and lifestyle habits. This is because the polycrystalline ceramic is not as durable as the mix of high-grade metal used for traditional braces. As long as you maintain good oral hygiene, ceramic braces offer the same effectiveness as metal braces with a more aesthetic design.
Champagne braces
Want the durability of metal braces and the discrete aesthetic of ceramic braces? Champagne braces have the best of both worlds. This popular style’s gold wire and clear ligatures blend in with your smile while being less prone to breakage. They’re also made with a low-profile, contoured design so you can be as comfortable as possible during your treatment.
Invisalign
Don’t want brackets and wires? Invisalign is made from clear, acrylic aligners that fit over your teeth. Each Invisalign aligner is custom-fitted for your unique teeth using a 3D image of your mouth made from photos and X-rays from your orthodontist. It’s removable, making eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing easier. To be effective, they will have to be worn 22 hours a day. You will likely wear yours for 9-15 months depending on your needs and go through several trays throughout your treatment. No wires, no metal, no bands, just a clear, comfortable, easy-to-remove solution.
Aesthetics and Confidence
No matter your age, nothing beats the shine of a complete smile. Your smile impacts your self-esteem, confidence, and how people perceive you. A crooked smile or misaligned teeth, or even teeth that have not been properly cleaned, can not only affect how others see you but even more importantly, how you see yourself. You may find yourself avoiding photos, shying away from conversations, or even avoiding smiling altogether. The positioning of your teeth can even affect your speech patterns by causing your tongue or lips not to attain the position necessary to make certain sounds. All of this can have an impact on how you present yourself to the world. You deserve to feel at your best and show people who you are. Braces can give you a personal transformation that can leave you feeling more like yourself and leave a better first impression on everyone you meet.
Optimize your smile with Selden Orthodontics
It’s never too late to improve on your smile, and Selden Orthodontics is here to help you out. Each type of treatment is different, with its pros and cons. Whether you prioritize durability or aesthetics, prefer brackets or not, or just want a treatment that will get you the best smile the fastest, we’re here to help you decide and guide you every step of the way.
Our open and friendly office features advanced technology combined with a fun atmosphere to make sure your treatment is a smooth and stress-free experience. If you still have questions about getting braces as an adult, our eager and well-trained orthodontic team would love to meet you for your FREE consultation to get you started on your treatment journey to a better smile. We partner with patients for optimal results, because you’re not just a number, you’re part of the Selden family.