Today I’m going to share different options for the orthodontic treatment of adults. In any orthodontic treatment, there is no such thing as one size fits all. An ideal treatment plan always takes into account your primary reason for seeking treatment as well as the current relationship of your teeth and jaws, so that the final plan is one that meets your goals while maintaining the oral health and integrity of your teeth and jaws.
The more common approach to straightening teeth is traditional braces. Metal braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets which attach directly to the teeth and archwires which attach to the brackets. With metal braces, you have the option of adding colored elastics (rubber bands) which are changed at each visit for a more unique and colorful smile. We understand that this may not be on the top of our adult patients’ to do list.
A variation of traditional braces called, self ligating ceramic braces, can also be used. Ceramic braces are made from a translucent ceramic material which helps them “disappear” onto the surface of the teeth. These work in the same manner as traditional braces, except that no colored elastics are required. They are made specially so that the archwires clip directly into the brackets. This gives them a very clean appearance in the mouth. If braces are required in order to give you the best possible result, self ligating ceramic braces may be the way you choose to go.
Finally, an alternative to braces, a clear aligner tray system called ClearCorrect may be used. ClearCorrect uses a series of clear, custom-made, removable, and comfortable aligners that gradually straighten your teeth as you wear them. Each aligner moves your teeth just a little bit at a a time, so that over the course of treatment, you will wear a series of aligners that will take your teeth from start to finish. The pros include the fact that they are nearly invisible and removable for eating and brushing. Your responsibilities include a willingness to wear the aligners 24/7.
In her Town and Country article, ‘Why Adult Braces Are Becoming More Popular”, Dana Wood recounts her own reason for seeking retreatment. Her reason may be similar to your own. The shifting positions of her teeth had been bothering her for some time but she was waiting for the perfect time to undergo retreatment. Once she found it, she explored various treatment options, choosing a combination of ceramic braces on the top and metal braces on the bottom. In her own words, after starting treatment, she experienced “a wave of “What have I done?” mini-panic attacks”, but once treatment was underway, she could “already see (her) new smile taking shape under the all the hardware. And when (her) braces come off, cartwheels will be in order.” That’s a sentiment I think anyone in treatment can relate to!
To read the full article, click here:Â Why Adult Braces Are Becoming More Popular