No patient is “too old” to wear braces. In fact, 25% of Just for Grins Orthodontics patients are adults! Health and happiness are vitally important to adults, and orthodontic treatment can increase your self-esteem at any age! Dr. Dunn and Dr. Schreiber review the reasons why adults get braces and seek orthodontic treatment, and will discuss traditional braces vs. Invisalign clear braces.
Braces to Improve Dental Health
When you have a difficulty in brushing and flossing because your teeth are tight or misaligned, food particles and bacteria can begin to cause plaque and tooth decay. This leads to damage to the enamel, bone, and periodontal disease if left untreated and if you are genetically geared to suffer from periodontal issues. Orthodontic treatment is a great help for both you and your dental professional in preparing your teeth for success. A bad bite can also lead to chipped teeth and problems such as teeth grinding.
Braces for Confidence
This is one of the most obvious reasons that adults get braces and seek orthodontic treatment. A great smile can be a big self-esteem and confidence booster. Confidence can lead you to use your smile more in both your personal and professional life.
TMJ
Over 10 million Americans are afflicted with Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. These are a group of conditions that affect jaw movement and cause pain. Correcting an uneven bite with orthodontics or surgery can fix the problem and reduce or eliminate pain, headaches, and issues with biting and chewing in most cases.
Overall Health
There is a lot of talk about oral health being an indicator of overall health. It’s true. Being able to take better care of your oral health issues such as periodontal disease and gingivitis can reduce your risk for other health problems. These include dementia, heart disease, diabetes management, infertility and erectile dysfunction, and so much more.
You are most-likely familiar with traditional wire braces, and may know someone who has had Invisalign by now too. To review, Invisalign® straightens your teeth without wires and brackets, using a series of clear, removable appliances called aligners that are customized for each patient. It is virtually undetectable, which means that casual observers won’t know that you’re straightening your teeth. There are pros and cons to each, but both do a fine job in perfecting your smile.
Pro’s for Invisalign over traditional adult braces
- Invisalign is clear and virtually undetectable
- The aligners are smooth and less abrasive to your cheeks and tongue than traditional braces
- There are no eating restrictions (They are removed prior to eating, so no wires or braces to worry about. Sticky or hard foods are no problem.
Pro’s for traditional adult braces over Invisalign
- There isn’t anything you have to take in and out (so, although there are eating restrictions, you don’t have to remember to remove aligners or remember to put them back in)
- No aligners to keep track of (nothing to lose.
To see the rest of both lists, visit our extended blog on the subject. We have offices in Montgomery, Wetumpka, and Millbrook, AL, and our team has the same goal for everyone that sits in our chair: love your smile and feel the confidence to show it off to the world. After finding the location nearest you, call to speak with one of our passionate team members or fill out our form and you will be contacted soon.
