You Have More Options

Years ago, you had the traditional metal braces and that was all you had. Today, you have several options to customize your dental care to suit your needs. In addition to the metal braces, you can also get clear or ceramic braces, which will minimize the appearance of the braces on your teeth. You also have the option for Invisalign, which is is virtually invisible on your teeth while still giving you the benefits of braces. In addition, braces today use smaller brackets and are less painful and require less time on your teeth—the average time for adults to wear braces is 12-20 months, so you’ll have beautiful healthy teeth in no time!

They’re Effective

Braces have evolved from what they used to be years ago to be effective at correcting problems in your mouth in the shortest amount of time possible. While it’s true that children’s teeth are more pliable, many kids end up getting a second set of braces as they get older, and some even get braces again in adulthood. This reapplication of braces could be due to not wearing a retainer to take care of the work the braces have done. The effectiveness of braces relies heavily on your retainer—you’ll need to wear this when the braces come off. While orthodontists used to say the retainer need only be worn for a certain period of time after the removal of the braces, today orthodontists recommend wearing your retainer a few times a week for life to keep your teeth straight.

For Your Health

Adults today understand the benefits of braces more than in the past. Braces not only correct cosmetic issues with your smile, but they also provide benefits for your health. Proper chewing, speaking, biting, and overall dental health rely on the proper position of your teeth. When your teeth are misaligned, it’s easier for plaque and particles of food to hide, and it can be difficult for you to remove them, increasing your risk for gum disease or tooth decay. Having straight teeth can help with jaw or headaches, as misaligned teeth can cause bite problems. Chewing with misaligned, crooked, or an incorrect bite can result in improper chewing of your food, which could lead to gastrointestinal problems. Adults today know how important braces are for healthy teeth in the long run.

While metal braces will be your best option for effectiveness, adult braces have come a long way from the past. From having several options today to understanding how important straight teeth are for your dental health, adults have been making the smart choice of getting braces to have healthy teeth for life.

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These braces are called lingual braces because they go on the back of the teeth near the tongue. Lingual braces are custom made to fit each patient by an orthodontist with specialized skills in their design and placement.

Lingual braces are not an option in all orthodontic cases. They are not a good choice for fixing an overbite, and they do not work for people with very small teeth. An exam can determine if you are a good candidate for lingual braces. If you are, there are still several things you should consider before deciding on lingual or another type of braces:

All braces take some time to get used to, but lingual braces generally take more time. The closeness to the tongue can make eating, swallowing and speaking difficult at first. Also, the overall treatment time or the time you have to wear the braces is generally longer with lingual braces than it is with traditional braces.

Lingual braces cost more than regular braces because of the extra skills and time it takes to make them and place them.

Because the braces make the back of the teeth even harder than usual to see, plaque buildup can be a problem. All types of braces present a challenge when brushing and flossing your teeth, but lingual braces present the biggest challenge. Regular dental checkups while wearing your braces are very important.

For teenagers and adults, braces are often avoided because of the way they look. For many adults the stigma of braces being “for kids” often causes them to choose to live with crooked teeth instead. Lingual braces can remove this dilemma entirely. If you would like to learn more about lingual braces or see if you are a candidate for them, call our office now.

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