6 Things You Should Know About Adult Orthodontic Treatment

Most people think of orthodontic treatment as a set of braces in the mouth of a teenager. However, the truth is that people of all ages can get orthodontic treatment as long as their gums are healthy. Nowadays, more adults than teenagers are turning towards orthodontic treatment.

People visit an orthodontist to get the smiles they want on their face. Orthodontic treatment helps people create a better bite, fits the teeth better, and reduces dental problems. Let us dive deeper into the things you should know about adult orthodontic treatment.

Difference between a dentist and orthodontist.

The relationship and difference between a dentist and an orthodontist can be confusing for many people. A dentist offers treatment for a tooth filling, dental implants, gum disease, and tooth decay. An orthodontist is trained for the movement of teeth and jawbone in the mouth. An orthodontist knows all the things a dentist does, but they specialize in the movement of teeth in the mouth.

Development of teeth

There is a common misconception among people that teeth don’t develop after the teenage years end. Yes, the major physical changes are not seen after the teenage, but it’s not the end of development. Even if your teeth look straight in adult age, they can lead to misalignment due to any reason. Moreover, jaw pain, injuries and a smile you don’t love and many other factors are responsible for changes in the landscape of your teeth.

There’s never a better time.

People don’t take orthodontic treatment in their teenage years due to a variety of reasons. When they enter their adult age, they come to realize that it is still not too late to treat their misaligned teeth. The reasons might be aesthetic in nature or their dentist may have referred them to an orthodontist. A dentist refers patients to an orthodontist because straightening of teeth helps prevent gum disease and tooth decay.

How is orthodontic treatment different for adults?

You are never too old to take orthodontic treatment, but there are some things that make your treatment a little different from that of teenagers. Unlike teenagers, the jaw of adults is not in the growing or development stage. That is why it is beneficial to take orthodontic treatment at an early stage when the jaw is still growing.

Some adult patients may be required to undergo jaw surgery to align their teeth precisely. Many adult patients have problems like gum disease, missing teeth, and restorations. Such issues do not prevent you from taking orthodontic treatment but affect the time and effectiveness of treatment.

Treatment options

There are a variety of options in orthodontic treatment. From conventional metal braces to Invisalign aligners, you can choose anything that suits you or, as your orthodontist suggests, according to your condition. Here are all the options available for orthodontic treatment.

Metal Braces

The conventional metal braces may seem outdated to some people, but orthodontists still use them due to their effectiveness. Many people don’t know that metal braces can also be customized for individual patients that make them effective. Today, the metal braces available are made of high-grade stainless steel that doesn’t leave stains on your teeth.

Ceramic Braces

Similar to metal braces there are ceramic braces made of Clear tooth colored material that blends easily with your smile. Ceramic braces are not as strong as metal braces, but they are less visible to other people.

Lingual Braces

Lingual Braces are a type of metal braces that fit on the teeth along the sides of your tongue. This makes them invisible to others. The brackets and wire are custom designed for individual patients that offer high precision in the alignment of teeth.

Invisible Aligners

Invisible aligners are the latest in orthodontic treatment. As the name suggests, these aligners are made of clear material that is invisible to others. Each set of aligners are worn for two weeks before replacing them with another set of aligners. They are removable and you can remove them while brushing your teeth or eating food. However, orthodontists suggest patients wear the aligners for at least 22 hours a day.

Cost and time of treatment may vary

The cost of treatment varies according to the location where you take the treatment and what needs to be done. The cost is different more in urban areas and less in rural areas. The average cost varies between $2,000 and $6,000. Patients don’t need to pay the entire price at once. They need to pay separately for the panoramic x-rays and molds. Usually, you are asked to make a downpayment of approx $1000. The balance can be paid in installments of several hundred dollars every month.

The time of treatment depends on the condition of the patient and what needs to be done. If some other treatment is required before or after the installation of aligners, the overall treatment becomes longer. The average duration of treatment is 2 years that may seem a long time, but the time goes faster than people usually think. Also, orthodontic treatment in the present days is safer and reliable than ever.

Final Words

These are the things that you should know about orthodontic treatment. The first thing you need to understand is that you can take the treatment as long as your gums are healthy. However, the treatment is easy and effective in the teen age as the jaw bones are soft and under development. The treatment for teenagers and adults may differ in many aspects, depending on their age and condition. Moreover, the cost and duration of orthodontic treatment also vary from person to person and location to location.