Research shows that most adults want to get braces for aesthetic reasons. Cuz there’s nothing like a show-stopping smile!
Where the rub comes in is that braces are notoriously uncomfortable—and ugly. Having a mouth full of metal isn’t many people’s idea of a good time, or of an appealing smile.
Fortunately, there are other options.
If you are an adult wanting to get braces, you’re not doomed to look like an overgrown teen for a whole year. Read on to find out what some of the best types of braces are for adults… So you can rock a killer smile, the painless way.
Conventional Braces with a Twist
The most commonly known kinds of braces are the conventional, train-track, wire and anchor setups that most of us are familiar with from high school days.
While this is exactly the look that most adults don’t want, advancements have been made with these conventional braces. Nowadays you can opt to have ceramic anchors (the little bits that get clued onto your teeth) instead of metal ones.
What this does is minimize the appearance of the braces as the ceramic is a similar color to one’s teeth.
The advantage of this option is that it’s usually cheaper than other alternatives, can be faster, and will be effective no matter how skew your teeth might be.
Keep Your Tracks Secret with Lingual Braces
If you want to make your braces even less noticable then you can also consider lingual braces. Lingual braces work exactly the same as regular braces, but instead of being on the outside of your teeth they are positioned on the inside of your mouth.
This makes lingual braces almost invisible!
One of the cons to lingual braces is that they can take some time getting used to, as your tongue will rest against the braces. This can cause slight lisping in the beginning. The other cons are that they generally cost a bit more, and take longer to align the teeth.
However, a handy pro to these hidden braces is that they do not need to be adjusted as often as regular braces. Most people with lingual retainers only have to undergo 3-4 adjustments their whole treatment.
Seeing as regular braces require an average of 12-18 adjustments, lingual braces can save you a lot of time visiting the orthodontist’s office (as well as the pain that comes from adjustments).
If you are a very busy adult, then this aspect of lingual braces can be a real time-saver.
Ditch the Elastic Bands with Self-Ligating Braces
If you don’t mind metal braces, but hate the look of the elastic bands that come along with them, you can also opt to get self-ligating braces.
These braces do not require you to wear elastics at any point, which looks better and is also more comfortable.
So, if you hate elastics, but want to take advantage of the lower cost and shorter treatment time that comes with standard braces, self-ligating braces might be a suitable option.
Go Clear with Aligners
If you hate the idea of braces altogether, and your teeth are not very badly unaligned, these are some signs you might be a candidate for clear aligners.
Aligners are basically plastic trays that fit over one’s teeth. These are swapped out every few weeks to keep the teeth moving into their new positions.
Aligners tend to be more costly than regular braces and they can also take longer. However, they are almost completely unnoticeable, making them a very popular option among adults wanting braces.
One of the most trusted brands of clear aligners is Invisalign. Invisalign aligners give all the results that regular braces do, and many people report them to be much more comfortable. If you are interested in Invisalign braces and are in Austin, then book a free exam with us to find out whether it is the solution for you.
If you have been told that you are not a suitable candidate for Invisalign, don’t let this stop you from taking advantage of our exam. We have seen amazing results in people who were previously deemed unfit for Invisalign.
You Can Also Consider Veneers in Certain Situations
If only a few of your teeth are skew, and these are also damaged or unsightly, you might want to consider veneers.
Veneers are ceramic coverings that can go over slightly damaged or unsightly teeth. If there are small gaps or areas of skewness, veneers can cover these as well.
The dentist will grind away the enamel on any affected teeth and then apply the veneer. Although veneers are permanent (so you need to think carefully about this option) they do need to be replaced every few years.
Be sure to take this into account before going for veneers.
Now You Know About the Different Types of Braces That Adults Are Using
As you can see there are quite a few types of braces out there for adults apart from the standard railroad tracks that most of us dread.
And, if you’re still wondering if it will be weird to get braces as an adult, even with these options, put your concerns to rest. According to a survey by the American Association of Orthodontists, there are over a million adults undergoing orthodontic treatments to ramp up the wattage of their smiles.
If you need any extra inspiration to make the move towards beautiful teeth, check out these smile transformations from our clients!
