Idaho Falls Ceramic Braces & Other Treatment Options for Adults

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Are you one of the millions of adults looking into the mirror each day longing for straighter teeth or a nicer smile? If you are, it’s okay — you’re not alone. In fact, the fastest growing group of people receiving orthodontic care is adults. So, if you thought that you were “too old for braces” or too old to do anything about your crooked teeth or bite, you should know that that’s definitely not the truth. Let’s take a short look at some things you should consider if you are considering getting orthodontic treatment like ceramic braces in Idaho Falls.

Do You Need Braces?

Braces and other orthodontic treatments are used to correct a range of dental problems. If you have one of the following dental conditions, you will probably be a good candidate for orthodontic care.

Crossbite – A crossbite means that you have one or more upper teeth positioned behind the corresponding lower tooth.
Underbite – An underbite means that your upper teeth in the front of your mouth are positioned behind your lower teeth.
Severe Overbite – An overbite is the opposite of an underbite. It means that your upper teeth in the front of your mouth are positioned in front of your lower teeth. Generally speaking, a slight overbite- may not cause any serious problems or need to be corrected.
Large Tooth Gaps – Tooth gaps occur when teeth are spaced too far apart and can result in a “gap-toothed” look.
Crowded Teeth – Crowded teeth can actually contribute to poor dental health which can lead to more severe problems.

Obviously, the person most qualified to help you determine if you are a good candidate for orthodontic treatment is your regular dentist. Your dentist understands your oral health better than anyone and can help you decide if Idaho Falls ceramic braces or other treatment could be a good idea for you. So, start by talking to your dentist. If you decide that orthodontic care is right for you, your dentist can provide you with a referral to an Idaho Falls orthodontist like Dr. Jared Randall.

Benefits of Braces in Adults

The benefits for an adult getting orthodontic treatment like ceramic braces in Idaho Falls are nearly identical to the benefits of having braces as a teenager. Of course, those benefits change based on what type of condition is being treated.

For crowded teeth or large tooth gaps, you will often benefit from a better-looking smile and a better dental layout that can help you maintain your oral health. If you are having your bite corrected, on the other hand, the benefits can be more in depth. For example, correcting your bite can actually help decrease jaw pain and headaches in some patients. As you can see, there are many benefits of receiving orthodontic care. The specific benefits you will receive, however, should be discussed with your orthodontist.

Orthodontic Treatment Options

While common in Idaho Falls, ceramic braces are only one of a range of orthodontic treatment options available to adult patients like you. Let’s take a brief look at four of the most common treatments used for adult orthodontia. You should consult with your orthodontist to determine what treatment will be best for you and your smile.

Traditional Metal Braces

If you opt for traditional braces, your doctor will mount a series of metal brackets on the front of your teeth. These brackets will be connected to each other by a u-shaped wire. How the wire connects to the brackets, however, depends on the type of brackets your orthodontist thinks will be best for your treatment.

Most metal brackets are connected to this wire using small rubber bands called ligatures. These bands come in a wide variety of colors and can be used to create a unique look for your braces. Other bracket types are self-ligating and the wire slides through part of the bracket itself. Regardless of the type of bracket chosen, however, the treatment is virtually the same. Over time, your orthodontist will adjust the wire and/or brackets to gently move your teeth — and possibly your jaw — into a better position.

Ceramic Braces

Idaho Falls ceramic braces function identically to traditional metal braces. The only real differences are the type of material that your brackets are made from and the color of those brackets. As the name implies, ceramic braces — in Idaho Falls or elsewhere — feature brackets made from a ceramic material. This material is usually translucent or tinted to match the natural color of your teeth. This makes the brackets less obtrusive and may be a good choice if you’re worried about having a “face full of metal.”

“Invisible Braces”

Invisible braces — also called clear aligners — like Invisalign can be a good option for many people. Instead of brackets and wires, you would wear a clear tray that is custom-fitted to your teeth. Every two weeks or so, you would exchange your current tray for a new one that is designed to help guide your teeth into a new position over time. Each tray is crafted to guide your teeth a little bit closer to their final position. One great benefit of these invisible braces is that the trays can be removed when you are eating and so that you can brush your teeth. It’s important to wear the trays for about 22 hours each day, however, or your dental realignment could be thrown off.

Cost of Braces (and other orthodontic treatments)

Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to how much orthodontic treatment like ceramic braces in Idaho Falls will cost. Generally speaking, braces cost less than clear aligners, but the cost of any orthodontic treatment is highly dependent on how severe the original dental problem is and how long the full treatment will take. Most adult orthodontic treatments take 1–3 years to complete and you will need to see your orthodontist every 4–6 weeks during that time.

If you want to know more about a specific orthodontic treatment in Idaho Falls, you can contact Randall Orthodontics. We’d be happy to help you make the best decision for your orthodontic care.

Some of the information found in this article was provided by the following resources:

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