What Teeth Straightening Treamtnents Are Available for Adults?

Although teeth straightening can improve a smile's appearance, dentists also recommend it as a treatment to promote oral health. An assessment of a patient's unique dental structure can determine the most suitable approach to straightening teeth. 

What are common reasons adults pursue teeth straightening?

Misaligned teeth can affect self-esteem and pose various oral health risks. Excessive and uneven pressure from chewing can lead to digestive problems, tooth cracking, jaw pain, and headaches. Crooked incisors can also affect speech and make brushing and flossing challenging.

What options are available to straighten adult teeth?

Adult patients have a wide variety of options for straightening teeth, thanks to product advances in dentistry. In addition, dentists can consider a patient’s lifestyle and oral health when choosing an appropriate treatment.

Traditional metal braces

Most people associate metal braces with school-aged children, but this traditional option is an excellent choice for older patients who want to complete treatment as quickly as possible. The stainless steel brackets and wires are durable and unlikely to break during eating or cleaning. In addition, many dental insurance policies cover metal braces, making them an affordable option. Still, you must be willing to tolerate the appearance of metal.

Ceramic braces

Ceramic and metal brackets and wires both attach to the front surfaces of your teeth. Although ceramic is invisible against teeth, dark foods and beverages can stain it, whereas metal does not discolor. Ceramic braces are also more fragile than metal ones, requiring wearers to take more precautions to avoid damaging them. Still, adults who are willing to practice dietary modifications and pay a premium for ceramic can benefit from this discrete bracket and wire teeth straightening method.

Clear aligner trays

Qualifying patients can choose clear aligners for convenience and discretion. Clear aligners are removable for eating and drinking and do not increase tooth decay risk by trapping food particles as traditional metal braces do. However, rigorous oral hygiene is still essential to prevent bacteria from contaminating your teeth and gums and the trays that fit over them.

Aligner trays are popular among adult professionals who want to remove them as necessary and do not have complex dental misalignments. Significant gaps and crowded teeth rotated more than 30 degrees are not correctable with aligner trays, as they do not move teeth to the extent that traditional braces do.

Lingual braces

Metal braces can attach to the backs of teeth and are invisible when the mouth is open. This option is popular among adults who want to combine discretion with the efficient corrective benefits of traditional metal. However, lingual braces cost more than other teeth straightening options, cause wearers to speak with a lisp temporarily, and take longer to straighten teeth than other options. Still, dentists can adjust them for maximum comfort, and patients eventually get used to speaking with them.  

Conclusion

Teeth straightening is an increasingly popular dental procedure for adults who can benefit from various available options. A dentist can advise patients about the most suitable treatment to achieve a beautiful smile.

Request an appointment here: https://www.dentistryforwoodstock.com or call Dentistry for Woodstock at (770) 238-1437 for an appointment in our Woodstock office.

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