With modern advancements in orthodontic technology and systems, it’s no wonder that more adults are getting braces in order to get the smile they’ve always wanted. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, over one million American and Canadians over the age of 18 wear braces and in 2011, the LA Times reported a 24 percent increase of adult braces from 1989 to 2008. Even with the latest improvements in the industry, visiting your Idaho Falls orthodontic office as an adult is different than getting braces as a child or teenager in more ways than one. Getting braces as an adult means you may experience a longer treatment period, and depending on previous orthodontic issues, you may also need to receive perio-restorative treatment to improve your smile. If you’d like to discuss your options or schedule a consultation with an orthodontist, contact Randall Orthodontics today. In the meantime, the information below provides a basic understanding of what you can expect if you decide to get braces as an adult.
Why You May Be Considering Getting Braces
As an adult, there may be a number of reasons that you’re considering getting braces, some of the most common reasons include:
- Crowding of teeth or teeth that are spaced far apart, which can be caused by teeth extractions or could have always been present.
- Pressure or constant pain in the mouth and/or jaw caused by a misaligned bite (malocclusion) or crooked teeth.
- To be able to smile with confidence and have increased overall oral hygiene and health.
Treatment Options Available For Adults
For many adults who wish to get fitted for braces at an Idaho Falls orthodontic office, they want more options then just the bulky metal braces they remember from when they were younger. Today, more than ever, there is a multitude of options to straighten teeth and misaligned bites using different types of braces and orthodontic appliances. These options include:
- Clear Braces
- Invisible Aligner Trays
- Metal Braces or Traditional Braces
- Ceramic Braces
Depending on the severity of your bite and teeth, as well as your goals for your smile, will help to determine what type of orthodontic treatment options are available to you in order to get the best results in the fastest amount of time. Treatment options are most often discussed at an initial consultation at an orthodontic office in Idaho Falls. You can find more information about what to expect at your first orthodontist appointment, here.
Potential Concerns For Adults Getting Braces
Getting braces as an adult means that you may face challenges that younger patients (children and teenagers) usually don’t have to worry about. Some of these conditions can include, gingivitis infections, insufficient bone between the roots, which can cause a decrease in the blood supply in this area, as well as marginal bone loss. According to the Journal of Oral Health and Community Dentistry, the bones are no longer growing and are also harder than those of younger people. Similarly, the aging tissue can be cause for an increase in time for teeth adjustment. Along with these issues, there are other circumstances that can affect an adults overall treatment process at an orthodontic office in Idaho Falls and may require an orthodontist to perform additional perio-restorative orthodontic treatments. These issues include:
- Tooth Extractions – Tooth extractions are a common practice and by the time most adults are considering getting fitted for braces they may have had one or more teeth extracted. Creating a straight smile in a mouth that has had previous teeth extracted can pose a problem for many adults looking to straighten their smile. Since adult bones don’t respond to pressure in the same way that growing bones do, it is difficult to close the gaps created by extractions and keep them closed. A prosthetic bone may also need to be added to the extraction site.
- Bite Corrections – Correcting an improper bite is among the main reasons that many people require braces. As we age, the amount of room in the mouth for teeth to move into the proper position becomes limited, which occasionally can result in tooth extractions to correct this problem. According to this article by Colgate, a patient might also have worn some of his or her teeth down, which can cause an overbite to become worse. In these cases, orthodontists will focus on creating a functional bite rather than a perfect one.
- Root Resorption – Adults have a higher risk of root resorption than children or teenagers do. Root resorption is when the root is reabsorbed by the body, leaving the tooth without a root. This can cause the tooth to become loose and fall out. Contact your Idaho Falls orthodontic office to schedule regular appointments to have this condition monitored. If caught early enough, an orthodontist may be able to save the tooth/teeth.
- Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) – Adults are also at a higher risk to develop TMD. Some note that symptoms of TMD can happen during orthodontic treatment and you should have a full assessment done by an orthodontist before getting treatment.
Talk To Your Idaho Falls Orthodontist Today
Even though there can be some complications for adults who are seeking orthodontic treatment in the form of braces or invisible trays, they are easily treated. Correcting your smile is one of the best things you can do for your future. The benefits of having a straight smile and a correct bite are numerous and range from improving your overall health to your physical appearance. In addition to preventing health problems, straight teeth are easier to clean and have been proven to increase confidence, resulting in a higher quality of life. Furthermore, not treating your current orthodontic issues can result in more health issues down the road, which will ultimately end up costing you more money than proper orthodontic treatment would.
Randall Orthodontics can help you decide what treatment option is best for you when you stop by our orthodontic office in Idaho Falls at your earliest convenience. We specialize in creating beautiful smiles using discreet technology, like Damon clear braces to provide all of our patients with the smile of their dreams. For more information, contact us today.
