Why would adults even need braces?  Well, for whatever reason, some adults have crooked teeth or bite problems that were never addressed when they were younger.  A new job prospect or a more comfortable living situation may inspire some adults to address lifelong orthodontic issues.  For some adults, their teeth may simply have shifted with age and they may have bite problems that were not previously present.  Some adults may actually have had prior orthodontic treatment, but their teeth have shifted over time.  Lastly, some adults may need dental work such as crowns or bridges, and their dentist needs their teeth to be properly aligned before the restorations can be done.  Thus, for a variety of reasons, more and more adults are opting to do orthodontic treatment.

What are the options now for straightening teeth?  Metal or stainless steel braces are still a popular option due to the high degree of effectiveness and the cost factor, which is lower than most alternatives.  However, many adults opt to forego stainless steel braces in favor of options that are less noticeable.  Invisalign aligners, clear or ceramic braces and lingual braces are all less visible than metal braces.

Invisalign is a system that uses a series of clear plastic aligners to straighten teeth.  The aligners are switched out in the series about every two weeks.  The number of aligners in treatment varies depending on each patient’s individual needs and each aligner is custom-made with exact calculations to gradually shift teeth into place.

Invisalign often is preferred over braces for several reasons.  First and foremost, the aligners are nearly invisible, hence the name Invisalign.  Second, patients have the ability to take out the aligners for eating and brushing, and in social situations.  Third, the aligners are more comfortable than braces and rarely cause irritation to the gums or cheeks.  Lastly, we have found in our practice that the treatment time is usually shorter than that of braces.  However, Invisalign is not as effective for correcting more difficult bite problems such as when the extraction of teeth is required and the treatment process is compliance driven (the patients has to wear the aligners 20 to 22 per day or the teeth won’t align properly), so this option may not work very well for some teenagers or even some adults who are apt to remove the aligners frequently.  Therefore, it’s essential that an orthodontist do a full assessment to determine whether or not Invisalign is a good option for a patient.

Clear or ceramic braces are similar in color to teeth, so they are much less visible than metal braces.  Ceramic braces carry the same benefits of metal braces, including a high degree of effectiveness.  However, ceramic braces are more fragile than other types of braces and usually they are more expensive than metal braces.

Lingual braces are attached to the back of teeth so that they are not visible from the front.  These braces are typically effective and durable.  Drawbacks to lingual braces include irritation to the tongue and the inside of the mouth, they typically are more expensive than all of the other options, it’s more difficult to clean the teeth, and few orthodontists provide lingual treatment due to the difficulty in access to the teeth from the lingual or back side of the teeth.

More than ever before, many adults feel that undergoing orthodontic treatment now is worth the benefit of having straighter teeth.  Self-confidence is often improved once the teeth are aligned, straighter teeth are easier to clean which can lead to healthier gums and better overall dental health, and healthy gums and teeth may help adults to preserve their teeth over their lifetime.

By Dr. Gary Reichhold