While many people think that only preteens and teenagers have braces, adults get braces too. In fact, more than a million adults wear braces, and the trend continues to grow. Whether you are uncomfortable with your smile or have trouble with oral hygiene because of the placement of your teeth, adult braces have many benefits. Here are five reasons to get braces as an adult.
1. You Have Many Options While traditional metal braces are the norm for many braces wearers, you have other orthodontic treatment options for straightening your teeth. Depending on your budget and the severity of your crooked or misaligned teeth, your dentist may recommend dental aligners, lingual — or behind-the-teeth — braces, or porcelain braces. Porcelain braces, or ceramic braces, are on the teeth like traditional metal braces, but the brackets are sheerer in design.
Dental Aligners Dental aligners are clear, nearly invisible, orthodontic aligners to straighten teeth. This removable alternative to braces corrects misaligned and crooked teeth. GET INVISALIGN! Lingual Braces Lingual braces are hidden braces that sit on the back of teeth. These braces work the same as traditional braces to straighten teeth but are less visible. MORE ABOUT BRACES
2. You Get More Than Straight Teeth
As you age, your mouth and jaw change shape. Your jawbone naturally loses density, which causes your teeth to shift. Over time, your teeth become crowded, and you experience pain or discomfort when chewing and swallowing. Teeth that overlap also become difficult to keep clean, making your teeth more susceptible to dental decay.
Braces not only straighten your teeth to give you a more natural smile, but they also improve your overall oral health. Many patients who get braces are over 50 years of age, choosing to get braces due to oral discomfort.
3. You Gain Confidence in Your Smile
Studies have shown that people with straighter teeth are viewed as more successful than those with crooked teeth. The reason why is this: people associate straight teeth with health and attractiveness, which means that perceived flaws in your smile can give others a bad first impression of you when you apply for a job, go on a date, or meet people for the first time.
You gain confidence in your smile when you get braces because you no longer have to feel self-conscious about the way your teeth look. Write down your concerns about your teeth and discuss them with your dentist to see if adult braces are an ideal solution for your dental needs.
See Before and After Photos
Braces can move even the most crooked teeth into a straight and healthy line. See the results of some of our orthodontics patients.
BRACES BEFORE AND AFTER
4. You Can Afford Treatment Braces are not as expensive as you think. The average adult spends anywhere from $5,000 to over $7,000 to pay for braces. If you need braces for reasons beyond cosmetics — such as preventing dental decay or improving the way you speak and eat — your dental insurance may even help cover your costs. Check with your insurance company to find out if you have orthodontics coverage, many dental plans do. If you do not have dental benefits, there are payment plans available through various medical lending companies. The costs for adult braces varies depending on the type of braces you need. Lingual braces are often pricier than traditional braces. Your dentist will show you the braces options best for your oral needs and budget. 5. You Won’t Wear Braces Forever The average adult wears braces anywhere from 18 to 26 months. How long you will wear braces depends on the style of braces you choose, how crooked your smile is, and other factors. Your dentist will adjust your braces every several weeks as your teeth respond to treatment. After the dentist removes your braces, he or she will have you fitted for a retainer to align your new smile. After receiving braces, your mouth will feel sore, and eating and speaking will be uncomfortable while you get used to your dental wear. Your dentist will show you ways to take care of your teeth while wearing braces to keep your oral health in check.
Learn More About Braces as an Adult How Should I Brush My Teeth With Braces? Whether you’re an adult or a child, the technique for brushing around your braces is the same. Instead of brushing your teeth with your mouth closes, you want to make sure your jaw is open. When you brush, take care to brush both above and below the bracket on the tooth. Keeping your jaw open will help you remember to brush both above and below. You should never brush your teeth with a back and forth motion, doing so will wear away your gums and cause more problems later on. Instead, you should make tiny circles and use an extra-soft toothbrush to keep your gums clean and strong while you have braces. For a more visual demonstration, here is a handy video from one of our dental professionals, so you can see exactly how to brush your teeth while you have braces. Will My Insurance Cover the Cost of Braces as an Adult? Our division of insurance specialists is committed to helping you get the best possible dental care for your family. If your insurance plan covers braces, then we will do our best to work with any kind of dental insurance. Looking for Adult Dentists in Tennessee? Braces can change your life and improve your overall health and oral hygiene. Speak to our highly trained and friendly staff at Snodgrass-King for all your dental needs. We specialize in both pediatric and adult dental care and will improve your smile today. Snodgrass-King offers adult dental services in downtown Franklin, Spring Hill, Murfreesboro, and Mt. Juliet in Tennessee. So whether you live in Davidson County, Williamson County, or Rutherford County, visit Snodgrass-King Family dentistry for all your adult and pediatric dental needs.