Yes, adults can wear braces too. Usually whenever we think of braces, we imagine the wearers to be young teenagers, who have just finished getting their permanent teeth and are getting them corrected for any inconsistencies.
But now in this day and age that conception is changing, and rightfully so. Today the dental science has progressed so much that almost anybody can get their dental problems solved regardless of their age.
Braces are not for kids only. More and more adults are opting for this kind of treatment to straighten their teeth and other similar dental problems.
Many parents either did not realize to get the orthodontic treatment for their children or for whatever reasons it was not possible to get such a treatment for their wards. Sometimes this treatment was not available to many children who had crooked teeth or were having either underbite or underbite. Whatever it was, but that should not be a problem anymore. Today even adults can opt for braces, if there is a need.
If you are one of those who could not get orthodontic treatment as a child, it is not too late. Usually nature has intended the teeth to be in perfect line, and should be in alignment with each other. The upper teeth are supposed to sit comfortable on lower set of teeth. But in many cases the teeth are crowded called malocclusion.
In case you have:
then it could be due to a dental problem that can be corrected now with braces.
If you feel you have any of the problems mentioned above, then consider talking about them with your dentist. Bring them up while you are on your regular visit to the dentist or you may want a special appointment to talk about it with your dentist, in case you are in pain.
When you have talked it over with your dentist about your dental problem, he may discuss the same with the orthodontist and get an appointment with them to check your teeth and get an evaluation done. An orthodontist is an expert who specializes in getting teeth and jaws corrected for misalignment and get them straightened.
Braces work on the scientific principle of applying pressure on teeth to make them move.
Braces are very versatile orthodontic appliance, used widely all over the world. They are used to move teeth in a variety of directions and treat many teeth at the same time. These devices are used by placing the brackets on the teeth surfaces and attach them with cement or specific bonding material onto the teeth. Wires are then passed through brackets and attached to the molars on either end of the dental arches. These wires are customized to apply pressure to teeth to move according to need as planned by the dentist.
If you are an adult, you will worry about how braces would look on your face. It is a common worry. Today there are a wide variety of braces available to suit your taste and your budget. You can choose from a many materials and shapes and sizes of braces. The popular ones include:
As the name suggests the metal braces are made from high grade stainless steel which are attached to front teeth. These can be little uncomfortable because the brackets attached to the teeth may rub against the skin in the mouth and may cause pain.
These are made to blend with the colour of your teeth and therefore not noticeable. Although they are more aesthetic and look better than their steel counterpart, they are less sturdy and break easily.
These braces are attached at the back of the teeth which makes them hidden from view.
These are customized to the need of the wearer and are clear. They are removable and can be taken out while eating, brushing and flossing. It is easier to follow the oral dental care routine with this kind of braces than other kinds. Usually people with mild spacing problem can go for this kind of braces.
Many people worry about food when trying to consider the option of wearing braces for their dental spacing problems in adulthood, because following a special food routine is demanding if you are working or are in a place where arranging for special food because of braces would be a problem.
If you can keep in mind the foods that damage the braces and avoid those, then it is easy to follow the diet routine while wearing braces.
Hard chewy foods like corn on the cob, candy, raw carrots, which can damage the wires of the braces you are wearing.
Sticky foods like toffee, gum and caramel which can get stuck to your teeth and braces.
Carbohydrates in excess: These turn into sugars after breakdown in the mouth itself. The bacteria in the mouth consume these sugars and produce acid together with plaque. This results in tooth decay.
Eating wrong kind of foods will require you to wear the braces for longer periods and may prove expensive if they breakdown because of chewy and sticky foods.
The time for wearing braces by adults may be more than children because adults’ teeth have stopped growing. This could mean that adults’ teeth will need more effort to be pushed into direction we want them to move to.
The bones of adults also have stopped growing therefore, certain structural changes may require surgery.
But with patience and care braces will make the teeth move to any selected direction. About 18 months to 3 years is normal for adults to remain with braces. Whatever time it may take, the adults, like children will have to wear retainers for a period of time to keep the teeth in place so that they do not move back in their original place.
A treatment for 1 to 3 years is nothing compared to a lifetime of attractive smile.
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