Perfectly straight and white teeth haven’t always been a huge concern to society. A few decades ago, the biggest concerns about a person’s teeth were surrounding the health of them, rather than the way they look. There’s no doubt about it‚Äîhaving a beautiful smile today holds much more importance in the world than it did in the 70s or 80s. People today want to look younger and exhibit professionalism in any way they can. Not only are severely crooked teeth a turn-off for some people when it comes to jobs and romantic relationships, but dentists have found that aligned teeth are simply healthier.
If you’re an adult who has struggled with the appearance of your teeth, you might be considering asking your dentist or orthodontist about a treatment plan. Unfortunately, the process for this type of alignment treatment usually isn’t as easy for adults as it is for teens, so be sure to research the process as much as possible, and get all the professional medical advice you can before starting the process. Some orthodontist offices will even give you a free consultation to see what your options are.
We are going to go over some of the most important things you should know about getting braces as an adult, so you can have a better idea about how the process works for your oral health.
1. You need to make time for several appointments.
One of the biggest inconveniences about getting braces is the number of appointments involved, especially if you’re taking the traditional metal braces route. From gear fittings to regular appointments for inspection and tightening, you can expect to go to an appointment every four to six weeks, depending on the orthodontic treatment you choose.
The treatment time window for metal braces is usually 14 to 26 months, depending on the severity of misalignment. Because orthodontic practices have made so many technological advancements in recent years, the process is much quicker than it used to be. Your overall oral health is an important factor as well. For example, if you have cavities or other complications, your orthodontist will probably want to wait until they’re fixed, which can delay the whole process.
Some people wonder about the average treatment time for Invisalign vs braces. The process varies from patient to patient, so be sure to ask your orthodontist what your best option is if you hope to speed up the process.
2. Assess the possibility of complications.
One thing patients are often worried about is the reaction they get from their family and co-workers after they get their braces put on. After all, it’s not every day you see a middle-aged person wearing a full set of braces on their teeth.
Besides this, there, fortunately, aren’t too many risks associated with getting adult braces. Other than slight discomfort that might include sore cheeks, using tiny rubber bands, and sore gums, you should expect your quality of life to stay the same. If you’re worried about the advice you were given during a consultation, feel free to reach out to a personal injury attorney that specializes in health care legal representation. For example, accident attorneys in Chicago have experience with medical services and injury processes.
3. Know what all your options are.
When you’re a kid, you don’t have much of a choice when it comes to choosing between braces and Invisalign aligners. The good news is that, as an adult, your treatment plan is completely up to you, taking your orthodontist’s advice into consideration, of course.
The two most common options to choose from are traditional metal braces and Invisalign aligners. Traditional metal braces are the most commonly used method for straight teeth. With braces, a series of metal brackets are cemented onto the surface of your teeth, and then a U-shaped wire is threaded through the brackets. Your orthodontist will gradually tighten the wire at each appointment.
With Invisalign aligners, impressions of your teeth are made to create a series of clear aligners, or Invisalign tray, that resemble a retainer. Every two weeks or so, depending on the Invisalign treatment plan, you will receive a new aligner to adjust your teeth little by little with almost no discomfort. This type of treatment plan is designed so that you’re the only person who knows you’re wearing them.
If you’re curious about getting braces as an adult, reach out to a local orthodontic office to take the next step in your journey towards the best smile you could imagine. Just be sure to floss between those brackets!
