Braces 101: Adult Treatment- What are my options?

A growing population of patients in many orthodontic practices consists of the 18 years and older crowd. Orthodontic treatment has become more accessible and palatable in recent years due to the variety of options for treatment that exist. Some may have never had treatment at all; and some may have had years of braces as a child or an adolescent with many more years since having not worn retainers. Problems may be slight or dramatic and a variety of treatment options may exist given new research and technology.

Adult Orthodontic Challenges

The greatest obstacle for the adult patient to overcome is the level of acceptability of orthodontic treatment in the workplace or social setting. Any adult entering treatment must be comfortable to interact with their peers while showing some type of orthodontic appliance while they speak. Nowadays, this is not a big obstacle. Orthodontic treatment has become wildly acceptable in adult circles.

A challenge present for all orthodontic patients is hygiene, although it is a social challenge in many adult situations. Adolescent patients generally can get by with poor hygiene in social situations, while adults have pressure to keep their teeth sparkling clean. Extra time must be spent in the mirror after meals to ensure that nothing unsightly is left on their braces or teeth before continuing on with their day.


Braces

Adults entering the orthodontic office generally seek the most cosmetic, efficient and hassle-free type of treatment that will address their chief concern. Although other options may exist, braces are usually the most predictable way to move teeth to their final destination and achieve the best possible results. Braces can be silver, gold or clear. Modern braces are small and applied directly to the tooth surface with few or no metal bands. Braces allow a three-dimensional grip on the tooth which allows the orthodontist full control of all tooth movement.

Length of treatment can vary based on the difficulty level of the case. Simple cases can be as short as a few months, while very difficult cases can take up to or more than two years to complete. New advances in orthodontics are helping to shorten this treatment time dramatically. Technology has allowed orthodontist to have custom braces and/or wires fabricated by robots to make treatment more efficient and increase precision of tooth movement. Shorter treatment time sometimes makes traditional braces a more realistic option for adult patients.

Aligners

Individuals with mild to moderate orthodontic needs may be candidates for aligners to move their teeth to correct crowding or other bite issues. This type of treatment involves a series of clear plastic retainers that will move teeth progressively over time. Excellent compliance is essential to treatment success. The aligners must be worn full time in order to produce proper tooth movement. Aligner treatment is a good option when braces are not an acceptable option for an adult patient. Ask your doctor to determine if you may be a candidate for this option and whether it can properly address your treatment goals.

Proper diagnosis and treatment planning are essential to determine the possible options that will meet the needs of each individual. Multiple options may exist with different potential outcomes. Be sure to ask questions and have a thorough understanding of the information presented to you. The more you understand, the better you will feel about the decision you will make.