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Fort Worth Orthodontist Has 5 Tips for Adults Considering Braces

Friday - October 20th, 2017
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Braces and teens were once thought to go hand in hand. With new technology in braces and Invisalign, adults are seeking orthodontic treatment more than ever before. Your smile says something about you day in and day out, and at any age it’s importance doesn’t go unnoticed. Searching an “orthodontist near me” can leave you lost on where to begin, which is why we’ve got our Fort Worth orthodontist’s 5 tips on adult braces.

Getting braces as an adult poses some new challenges you didn’t have to consider as a teenager. As a fully developed adult, your mouth isn’t as malleable as it once was, affecting treatment time and the type of braces you’ll need to get the job done right. This is especially true for adult patients who may have already undergone orthodontic treatment as a teen and are looking to straighten their smile again as their teeth have shifted from a lost retainer or the lack of wearing one after treatment. Others may have never gotten the chance to receive orthodontic treatment in their teens, making now the perfect time to start. Straight teeth make an impact at any age, whether you’re in your 20’s or 60’s, it’s never too late to start. Here are 5 tips on what to consider when looking at adult braces:

1. Consider Visibility

One major setback patients deal with as adults is their concern regarding the visibility of their orthodontic treatment. We understand that as an adult you’re faced with different social constraints with maintaining professionalism in the workplace amongst colleagues and peers. Luckily, there are several options for adult patients looking to straighten their teeth other than traditional metal braces.

Ceramic braces, or “clear braces” are just one option adult patients can consider for minimizing the way their braces appear to others during treatment. While ceramic braces offer the same mechanisms to straighten your teeth that traditional metal braces do, they tend to blend in with your natural teeth. Ceramic braces use brackets that are the same color as your tooth enamel and are much smaller, making them less noticeable. The wires used to push your teeth into their new positions can also be clear or frosted white to appear more natural looking.

Invisalign aligners have become one of the most popular options for patients seeking a treatment that is almost invisible. Invisalign uses aligners that are interchanged based on the patient’s needs. Gradually, they shift your teeth into a straight, new smile over time. The BPA-free plastic used in the aligners is completely clear, making it hard for your peers to notice you’re straightening your teeth at all. The treatment system also uses 3-D imaging to create the aligners, making a perfect fit unique to you.

Lingual braces are a unique option that many adult patients might be unaware of. These braces are placed behind your teeth, so they’re not visible to the naked eye. Use an orthodontist near me search to find an orthodontist capable of performing lingual braces, as they require some skill and maintenance that other braces don’t.

2. Keep Treatment Time In Mind

Another thing to consider for adult braces is treatment time. The amount of time spent on your orthodontic treatment will ultimately depend on you and your needs. Depending on the complexity of the dental issues you’re faced with and the type you decide upon will all factor into the time you’ll spend in treatment. Patients using traditional metal braces can generally expect treatment to last between one and three years.

Another factor with treatment time comes down to self-discipline. Be honest with yourself when choosing the type of braces you want for treatment. If you choose to go with Invisalign, you’re responsible for wearing the braces at least 22 hours a day, remembering to put them in after each meal. The nice thing about traditional braces, ceramic braces, or lingual braces is that these options are irremovable and the onus isn’t on you to keep the treatment on track.

With ceramic and lingual braces, the maintenance required for these specialty braces can tend to increase the time spent in treatment. These type of braces require a bit more skill for orthodontists to apply and take care of. They also may require more frequent visits to your orthodontist to make sure your teeth are moving the right way.

3. Don’t Neglect Pre-Treatment Care

Adult teeth face some wear and tear over time, making orthodontic treatment a great option for relieving pressure on a particular tooth due to an uneven bite. Add in the burden of missing teeth, and the structure of your bite can shift in a way that does more harm to your oral care. Using braces to straighten your teeth can greatly reduce some of the damage that could be done due to complex dental issues.

Prior to your consultation with an orthodontist, you’ll want to schedule a professional teeth cleaning and dental checkup. At your teeth cleaning, you can talk to your dentist about the orthodontic treatment options you’ve been considering. As they know your smile as good as you do, they can give some insight into some challenges or factors you should consider that are unique to you. Your teeth cleaning will allow your dentist to prep your smile and ensure you don’t have any cavities or gum disease that should be taken care of before you get your braces on. Many dentists in the Fort Worth area may also offer orthodontic work within the same dental office, making the transition a breeze. You can check with your Monarch Dental location for scheduling all your smile needs.

Gum disease is a factor that adult patients should be more aware of prior to straightening their teeth. Gingivitis and periodontal disease can greatly impact the ability for your teeth to be straightened, especially if the disease has affected your gum and bone tissue. Straight teeth are much easier to keep clean, and patients with straighter teeth are less likely to get gum disease.

4. Look Into Cost

Your Fort Worth orthodontist at Monarch Dental knows straightening teeth shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. Many patients are often surprised to find that the braces they’ve been wanting are actually within their budget. Here are some things to consider when looking at the cost of certain types of braces:

 

 

5. Know Where To Go

You’ve made the jump, and now all that’s left is scheduling your first orthodontist consultation. At Monarch Dental, we’re with you every step of the way. From your teeth cleaning to your consultation we’ve got the best dentists and orthodontists in the Fort Worth area to help you through your teeth-straightening process.We also offer flexible financing and payment plans to fit your budget!

Orthodontist Near Me

Schedule an appointment with us today by searching your Zip code online or giving us a call at 1-844-800-7645. We know there’s a lot more to consider when it comes to straightening your teeth as an adult, which is why we take the time to customize each treatment plan to you and your needs. Whatever the reason, whatever the age, your smile is everlasting and we’re here to make it count.