Adult Braces: What are my options?

Adult Braces: What are my options?

A survey by the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) showed that the rate of people over the age of 18 with braces grew by 14 percent from 2010 to 2012. That brought the number of adults with braces in the United States and Canada to over a million. Over the years, adults have been more concerned with the health of their teeth and the overall appearance. Being an adult yourself, you may be wondering what your options are when it comes to braces.

Veneers

An excellent option to consider when changing the appearance of your teeth is veneers. The American Dental Association tells us that “veneers are thin, custom-made shells crafted of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front side of teeth. They are an option for correcting stained, chipped, decayed or crooked teeth. Veneers are made by a dental technician, usually in a dental lab, working from a model provided by your dentist.” To get veneers, a small amount of enamel must be shaved down from your teeth for the cap to fit. This makes the process irreversible.

If the route you choose for your adult braces are veneers, it is wise to avoid things such as coffee, tea, and red wine that could potentially stain your teeth.

Invisalign

Another great option to straighten your teeth is Invisalign. This is a treatment that uses clear, removable aligners that gradually straighten your teeth. If you’re wondering how this works, your dentist will create a digital treatment plan that shows the exact movement of your teeth. This will show you what the end result will be and what you can expect after the process is over. Next, the aligners are created. They will apply the correct amount of pressure and move your teeth at the right time and speed depending on your plan.

Invisalign clear aligners are made of flexible plastic — specifically, a patented thermoplastic material called SmartTrack® created exclusively for Invisalign treatment.” These are BPA free and are completely safe for you to use. They are made of a thin material that fits snugly, making them nearly invisible. These aligners are to be worn for most of the day but you will, however, be able to take them off to eat, brush, and floss your teeth.

If  adult braces are something you may be interested in, give your dentist Antonio Lopez-Ibarra, from Tri-City Dental Care in Kennewick WA, a call at (509) 579-0759 and schedule a consultation.