ADULT ORTHODONTICS

ADULT ORHODONTICS

Today, more and more adults consider improving their smile. It is an eminent question for adults who are not happy with their smile, wether they can achieve this in a natural way without any invasive dental application, like crown or laminate. The answer to this question is yes, if you have a good dental health. 

In the past, there was a belief that braces are for children and you may not benefit from orthodontics if you are an adult. Depending on the problem, the treatment may be different for an adult compared to a growing patient, but still your there may be a way to fix your teeth with orthodontics. 20 years ago among orthodontic patients, adults would consist rather a small group. Today, this is totally different. In our clinic more than 50 per cent of the patients are adults.

What are the differences between adult and child orthodontics?

The main difference is taking the advantage of skeletal growth. In a growing patient it is easier to expand the jaws or correct a discrepancy caused by differential top (maxilla) and bottom jaw (mandible) growth.For example, if an adult patient is concerned about top front teeth forward position. This may be due to lack of mandibular growth. We may not grow the mandible to catch with the maxilla, however we may apply a camouflage treatment and bring the top teeth backwards in aesthetical limits to give our patent a pleasing smile.

As we age we may start to have gum recession, therefore the orthodontist would pay extra attention to your gum-bone levels during the course of treatment.

If you have healthy teeth and gums and did not have skeletal problems,  whether you are growing or adult, the treatment is more or less similar.

Types of Braces

Metal Brackets

First option is classical metal braces. If you are not concerned about the appearance of the braces, this is the right choice for you. It is the cheapest and may be quickest way to straighten your teeth. 

One important fact is that: If you have crooked teeth, you need them to be straightened. Socially, psychologically, and biologically you need this treatment. As this is a ‘treatment’ and you should do whatever is needed for this treatment. Appearance should not be your concern.

Tooth Colored Aesthetic Brackets

If you are concerned about the appearance of metal braces, one option is aesthetic brackets. They may be tooth colored, ceramic or completely transparent, crystalline.

They are definitely less visible compared to metal brackets. Even though the brackets are not metal, the wire passing through them may be metal. 

They are not as strong as metal ones. In some treatments, where especially torque movement is needed, total treatment duration may be slightly longer.

Crowns or laminates could be a quick solution but pleas keep in mind that orhodontic treatment is the only option to improve your smile naturally.