Getting braces as an adult…
A great many of us have spent a lot of time on Zoom throughout this pandemic. With so much time spent staring at ourselves, on screen, it is not surprising that we have become much more critical of our appearance! And in particular our smiles & teeth. Getting braces as an adult is something that has probably crossed your mind more than ever, as a result.
I worked as a specialist orthodontic nurse for a number of years, treating predominately adult women of a certain age. I have seen, first hand, how transformative having a great smile can be. Shy, quiet and self-conscious patients would come through our door to start their orthodontic journey. By the time they had finished their treatment, all, bar none, had grown in confidence. They were happy to smile and talk animatedly, probably for the first time in their lives.
I was fortunate enough to have braces as a child. I did however, have to dabble with orthodontics again as an adult, as a result of not wearing my retainers. Back in the early 90s there was just the one option if you wanted to have your teeth straightened. They were the rather inconspicuous metal train track braces, you see most youngsters wearing today. I do not regret for one minute having train track braces a second time round. But thankfully, these days there are few, more discreet, options available for those considering getting braces as adults.
Getting braces as an adult – the options:
There are 3 main types of braces to correct teeth.
- Train track braces are attached to the front of your teeth
- Lingual braces which are attached to the tongue side of your teeth
- Removable aligners, such as Invisalign, which can be taken out
Metal train track braces
When we think of braces, this is the type of brace that springs to mind. It is the cheapest option and is pretty much suitable for everyone. It is also the option that yields the quickest results. This is because no part of it is custom made, so there is no waiting time before you can get going with your treatment.
Something that people aren’t always aware of, is that is that having fixed braces as an adult, the treatment period is considerably shorter than for kids, having their braces on the NHS. This is because, in the private sector, appointments to tweak the brace can be scheduled every 4 – 6 weeks, rather than the standard 10 – 12 weeks, on the NHS.
Teeth do not need to wait 10 weeks between appointments. That is purely down to the workload of any given NHS practice. So do not make your decision on whether, or not, to have braces as an adult based on how long little Johnny had his on for!
Ceramic train track braces
Ceramic braces, like metal braces, are fitted to the front of the teeth, but are either clear or tooth-coloured, with a tooth-coloured wire running through them. They are far less noticeable than the metal ones and are a cheaper option than having Invisalign, or when Invisalign is not suitable to correct the problem.
They are more fragile than their metal counterparts though, so treatment can go on a little longer, due to breakages. Also, beware of eating curry with this type of brace, as the little elastic bands used to keep the wires in place turn bright yellow!
Lingual braces
Lingual braces are the gold standard of orthodontic treatment, and by far the most discreet option available. In fact they are practically undetectable to other people. The lingual brace system comprises small brackets and archwires that are custom made to fit the individual shape of your teeth and bonded to the back of them.
Like metal train track braces, they can correct most bite problems, and are therefore suitable for most people. The main downside of having a lingual brace is that they are significantly more expensive than either train track braces, or Invisalign. They can also cause considerable discomfort at first, and give you a lisp until you get used to speaking with them. Treatment can also take longer, but as they don’t show, this is not such a problem for most people.
Invisalign
Invisalign braces are a great option if your teeth are not overly crowded. And if you do not need to have any teeth removed, to achieve a good result. The Invisalign system uses computer generated clear plastic aligners that you change at home every two weeks. Each set of aligners is a slightly different shape, moving the teeth incrementally into position, until they are perfectly straight.
One of the best things about Invisalign is that at the start of the treatment, you get to see a computer simulated video, of exactly how your teeth will move over the the course of the treatment. This means you will get to see exactly how they will look at the end, before you even start which is something that no other brace can offer.
Invisalign attachments:
There are a couple of things you do need to be aware of with Invisalign treatment. Firstly is the use of what is known as ‘attachments’. These are tooth-coloured composite buttons attached to the teeth requiring the most straightening, as well as some back teeth. These allow the aligners to really grab hold of the teeth and move them.
This is not made very clear in the Invisalign marketing, so I feel it is my duty to bring it to your attention, if you are trying to decide what type of brace to choose.
This is where the orthodontist you choose can make such a difference. The orthodontist I worked alongside, went through each computer generated treatment plan for her patients, ensuring that the attachments were kept to a minimum. Especially on the front teeth, even if it meant the treatment would go on slightly longer.
The Invisalign programme, left to its own devices, is optimised for the quickest treatment plan – often putting attachments on every tooth! See image! To me this totally negating its original concept of being a discreet treatment. You have been warned! Select your orthodontist wisely and discuss this with them.
Interproximal reduction:
The second thing is something called Interproximal reduction. This is a fancy way of saying that in order to create the space for overcrowded teeth to move, your teeth will need to be filed down in a few strategic places.
Do not be alarmed! This does not hurt or damage the teeth in any way. It just creates enough wiggle room to tuck the teeth back and straighten them out. Without it, your teeth would straighten out over a bigger arc, and essentially stick out further. Probably something you do not want!
Keeping your teeth straight
It is very important to understand the importance of retention once you have finished your orthodontic treatment. In reality though, orthodontic treatment is never actually over. Teeth WILL want to move unless artificially held in place.
Clear retainers
The simplest way of keeping your teeth as perfect as they were on the day you officially ‘finished’ your treatment, is to wear clear plastic retainers every night – for the rest of your life!
A bonus of having these plastic retainers is that they can be used as tooth whitening trays, ensuring that your smile looks even better! Some orthodontists include tooth whitening as part of the whole package, which is fun and easy to do at home.
Fixed wire retainer
Another way of holding teeth straight, is to have a metal wire bonded to the top, and bottom, front six teeth. This wire will require periodic maintenance and ongoing careful oral hygiene, but will allow you not to have to wear your plastic retainers quite as much.
Even if you have wire retainers, it is advisable to wear the clear plastic retainers nightly for at least the first six months after treatment. Then at least twice a week thereafter, to ensure that the back teeth don’t move.
Getting braces as an adult can honestly be life-changing. I hope this post has given you the information you need to have a really productive appointment with the orthodontist!
For more inspiration about looking your best check out the following posts – Are silk pillowcase worth it? Best beauty products of 2021
Leave a Reply