Getting braces as an adult might not seem ideal, but it does offer you the opportunity to improve the appearance of your smile. Braces and other orthodontics can also correct the mechanical issues that can cause chewing problems and TMJ disorder.
Advantages to Adult Braces
There are several advantages to getting braces when you are older, versus when you are a teenager, such as:
Your Teeth Have Finished Growing
When you get braces as a teenager, there’s a chance that all of your teeth haven’t come in yet. For example, most people don’t get their wisdom teeth until they are in their 20s. If you get braces in your teens, and they are removed before your wisdom teeth come in, your wisdom teeth can actually cause your existing teeth to shift. If you wait to get braces until after your wisdom teeth come in, or have been removed, then you will have less of a chance of undoing all that hard work (and expense).
You’ll Have Better Dental Hygiene
Braces can be cavity magnets, especially if you don’t practice good dental hygiene, because bacteria can get trapped under the bands and cause decay. To prevent decay, you have to brush regularly and use special tools to get between the wires. You also need to avoid foods that are high in sugar and starch, which bacteria likes to feed on. Adults tend to be better at taking care of their teeth than teenagers, and they also tend to have dietary habits that are less likely to promote tooth decay.
Cosmetic Issues
If you are concerned about how your teeth would look in conventional wire and bracket braces, you can opt for invisible braces, of which there are two major types:
Invisalign uses computer modeling to create a series of retainer-like aligners for you. The first set of aligners is closest to your beginning tooth configuration, and each successive aligner gets you closer to your final look. You would wear each aligner for approximately two weeks until you reach your desired look.
The advantage to Invisalign is that the retainers are clear, so they aren’t noticeable. The disadvantage is that the retainers are not suitable for all patients.
Lingual braces are also called invisible braces. They are essentially the same as traditional wire braces, but they are mounted on the inner surface or back sides of your teeth instead of the front side. As with traditional braces, you would make periodic trips to the orthodontist to have the braces tightened, to help pull your teeth into alignment.
The advantage to lingual braces is that they are great for people who can’t use the Invisalign system. However, lingual braces also have a lot of disadvantages: they are more difficult to apply, they are more prone to breakage from biting down on them with hard foods, and they can irritate the tongue.
Costs
Braces aren’t cheap, but the improved appearance of your smile and better bite mechanics can make them worth the investment. Here is a list of rough cost estimates of the different options available:
- Traditional braces can cost $1,500-$10,000, depending on the type of braces and how misaligned your teeth are (average total cost is $5,000)
- Invisalign braces can cost $3,500-$8,000, with the average cost around $5,000
- Lingual braces can cost $5,000-$13,000
Depending on your carrier, dental insurance may cover between $1,000 and $2,000 of the total cost of the braces.
