If you’re out of childhood and feeling like your smile could benefit from orthodontic care, don’t worry! It’s never too late to pursue orthodontic treatment. While orthodontic treatment for adults may be a longer process than for kids and teenagers, the outcome is still just as effective. Regardless of your age, your teeth will still shift and react to orthodontic treatment.
Can Adults Still Benefit From Braces?
In a word: Yes! Adults can absolutely benefit from braces. Some adults may think that they missed their opportunity if they never experienced a mouth full of braces when they were young, but that is simply not true. Perhaps you had braces as a kid and in your youthful state you just didn’t care whether or not you wore your retainer and your teeth shifted back to their crooked state. Or maybe orthodontic treatment just wasn’t an option for your family growing up.
Whatever your circumstances may have been that led you to wait until later in life for orthodontic treatment, it is not too late to enjoy the benefits of braces. In fact, you may thank yourself for waiting on this investment because now you are old enough to appreciate the effort and cost that go into caring for your beautiful, new smile-to-be!
Adult Orthodontic Treatment Can Sometimes Take Longer
Since you’ve probably been done growing for a few years now, your jaw and teeth may not respond as quickly to orthodontic treatment as they would have when you were a kid. Adult’s bone tissue is more dense than a child’s, which is the main cause for why adult orthodontic treatment may take longer.
The average length of time for adolescent orthodontic treatment is around 18 months, depending on the severity of teeth positioning. For adults the average treatment time with braces is closer to two to three years. The important thing to remember is that the same physical changes occur in your jaw whether you are 12 years old or have a few decades more under your belt.
Adult Orthodontic Treatment Options
If you’re considering orthodontic treatment as an adult, you have great options! You should be able to find a solution that suits your lifestyle, budget and discretion preferences. The best orthodontic treatment options for adults are:
- Metal Braces
- Ceramic Braces
- Invisalign
Metal and ceramic braces work in the same way. Brackets are attached to your teeth using cement and a wire threaded through the brackets moves helps your teeth to move gradually over time. While traditional metal braces are the most common orthodontic treatment across all age groups, ceramic braces provide a more discreet option that works the same way and are often favored by adults who prefer a more discreet appearance.
If you are someone who is looking for a discreet solution to orthodontic treatment, Invisalign may be the best solution for you. Known as the “clear retainer”, Invisalign is just that: a clear retainer molded to fit the shape of your mouth. Invisalign retainers should be worn at all times apart from eating, drinking sugary drinks and brushing your teeth.
Braces For Adults In Fort Worth
If you’re ready to take the leap and pursue orthodontic treatment, whether for the first time ever or just the first time outside of your teenage years, you have great options available to help you achieve your perfect smile. At Ahava Orthodontics in Fort Worth, our team is full of experienced and compassionate professionals who understand that change can be hard and they are willing to talk with you through any questions you may have about orthodontic treatment as an adult. Call our office today at 817-926-9777 to schedule an appointment.
