Need Affordable Adult Braces? Here’s Everything You Need to Know
In an ideal world, everyone should have perfectly aligned teeth. Sadly, this is not the world we live in. Most of us have to deal with crowded teeth, crooked teeth, or poorly aligned bites.
These issues transcend cosmetic concerns. If you have crowded teeth, you will have difficulty cleaning them, and you will be prone to tooth decay and gum disease. On the other hand, if your teeth do not come together as they should when you close your jaws, then malocclusion arises.
A bad bite or improper bite (malocclusion) can cause chewing and swallowing problems. As though these issues aren’t bad enough, poor tooth alignment can make pronouncing certain words an uphill task.
Are Braces Age-Specific?
Childhood is considered the perfect time for changing the positioning of your teeth; more adults are embracing the option of getting orthodontic treatment. A survey conducted back in 2012 showed that a staggering one million Americans and Canadians were using braces; what about now?
Even though more adults are embracing orthodontia, you need to consider the following:
Your bones are fully grown, so if your case is severe, surgery is necessary for there to be visible change.
- Your treatment should last for roughly two years, though the duration varies from person to person. The process takes longer in adults than in children or adolescents.
- You may also need to check in with our periodontist as well to see if the treatment will be complicated due to bone loss that arises from gum disease.
- However, when you tick the above boxes, then you are ready for affordable braces near you. There is a whole world of options that are available in the market. Technology has made it possible for there to be discreet options that were made with adults in mind.
Brace for Pressure
The principle behind all orthodontic appliances is applying pressure on your teeth to alter their position. Our dentists in Berwyn and Oak Park can achieve this by using appliances or mechanical devices, which gently push your teeth to the desired position.
When your teeth are subjected to pressure, the roots push against the underlying bone. After some time, the bone that is close to the roots dissolves. This allows your teeth to move, while new bone builds to fill up space previously occupied by the root. Thus, preventing your tooth from going back to its original position.
Metal braces are the most common orthodontic treatment because they are the most versatile and can move your teeth in almost any direction.
What Are Your Options?
The beauty of the world we live in today is that there are different paths to straight teeth. The type of treatment you choose is highly dependent on how “straight” you want your smile.
Here are the options available:
- Traditional Braces
Years ago, metal braces had a prominent metal band that was around every tooth. Now, metal braces have a single bracket, which is cemented on the front of your teeth. Then a few bands are used in the back to anchor the wires.
There is another option where tooth-colored ceramics can be used instead of metal brackets. Treatment time can be relatively short while using braces, but their aesthetic appeal puts off most adults.
- Self-Ligating Braces
With self-ligating braces, there is no need for elastic bands that enable your teeth to move. The elastic bands have been replaced with a wire that passes via a tiny small metal clip on the bracket.
With this option, these braces have a self-tightening system, which means that the process of moving your teeth is relatively gentle.
- Aligners
Aligners were designed to be less conspicuous than metal braces. If you are worried about appearances, aligners are the right option for you.
They are made of a set of trays, which are to be worn every two weeks and then discarded. You pick the next set in the series, and the cycle goes on until you complete your treatment. You are to wear the aligners for no less than 20 hours each day.
They are less inhibiting, meaning that you can brush your teeth and eat your favorite meals without a problem. However, they need discipline for you to reach your goal.
These braces are very similar to traditional braces; the only difference is that they are placed at the backside of your teeth. These braces are invisible, but they might cost you a lot more than the other options.
Why Wait
Cosmetic concerns are a secondary issue when it comes to straightening teeth even though many come because of the need to improve their smile. You are not too old to reap the benefits of orthodontic treatment.
As far as a perfect smile goes, it’s never too late to get one. Call our dentist in Oak Park, at Lawn Dental Center today if you need your teeth straightened or in need of urgent dental care.