Misaligned teeth can be a major challenge, regardless of your age or the condition of your mouth. An overwhelming majority of people have crooked teeth, resulting in a surge in the number of people embracing adult braces. There are several types of dental braces for adults. Braces rectify challenges with dental arrangement by exerting continuous, slight pressure on your teeth for a while.
There are various reasons why your orthodontist may recommend that you have braces fitted. If your teeth are misaligned, crowded, or you have gaps between your teeth, orthodontic treatment can make a significant difference to your dental formula.
So, why are adult orthodontics an increasing trend? Over the years, there has been a stigma associated with having braces as an adult. Braces were more popular with kids and teens. However, most adults are determined to have their teeth aligned since the best option for braces are accessible, and they can get professional orthodontic services.
There are different types of dental braces for adults or dental appliances, which include:
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Conventional Braces
These are the oldest type but the most popular types of dental braces for adults. Unlike the old braces model, which comprised of a metal band around every or almost every tooth, the conventional braces have advanced over the years. They have been remodeled into lighter and more convenient than ever before.
Conventional braces are made of top-quality stainless steel and comprise metal brackets linked to each other using a type of cement. The orthodontist makes alterations to the archwires fixed to the brackets every time he wants to strengthen the braces. Unlike the old days, the archwires are now heat activated to minimize discomfort and enhance the teeth’ faster movement.
Benefits of Conventional Braces
Complex treatments
Traditional braces are helpful for patients with critical or complex dental problems. They can treat multiple teeth problems, from simple straightening to complex bite correction.
Fast results
Unlike other types of dental braces for adults, conventional braces can align your teeth and close gaps more within a short period of time
Affordable
The metal used in making the traditional brace is cost-effective. You will be charged approximately $1800 to $5500 to put conventional braces, depending on complexity.
Colour and material options
Unlike decades ago, when braces were made of unflattering and uncomfortable metal, development in orthodontic material has resulted to best option for braces. Traditional braces are made of low-profile wires that can hardly be noticeable against the teeth.
Disadvantages of Conventional Braces
Aesthetic challenges
Many people find the metal used in conventional braces less attractive.
Pain and soreness
The regular adjustment and strengthening of the braces cause pain and soreness in the mouth. Lips and cheeks may also suffer irritation as a result of the metal appliance used in conventional braces.
Hygiene challenges
Conventional braces are permanently fixed, making it difficult to clean the mouth, thus excessive buildup and tooth discoloration.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces operate similarly to traditional braces, but the brackets are made of clear and transparent ceramic material. They are the most common types of dental braces for adults seeking orthodontic treatment since they are less noticeable to others.
Ceramic braces require an exceptional degree of oral hygiene since they may become discolored, which may, in turn, cause discolorations on your teeth.
Benefits of Ceramic Braces
They are less visible
Unlike other types of dental braces for adults, ceramic braces are more discreet since they are small, clear, and almost totally invisible. This offers dental adjustment that is more discreet and appealing to potential patients.
They are tough
Ceramic braces are the best choice for adult braces. The design and their fixing technique guarantee maximum durability, making them more preferred as well as best braces to get for adults.
Varied options
Although ceramic braces are made of clear and long-lasting ceramic material, they must be connected by an archwire along the outside of your teeth. The archwire can be colored to match your teeth.
Ceramic braces don’t demineralize tooth enamel
Ceramic braces have a quality bonding agent that prevents the removal of minerals from the tooth’s enamel and discoloration around a bracket during treatment.
Comfortability
Ceramic braces are the best for dental rearrangement and the most comfortable types of dental braces treatment. Their size and ceramic material minimize discomfort and gum irritation.
Disadvantages of Ceramic Braces
Cost
Unlike conventional braces, ceramic braces are more expensive.
Gum sensitivity
Since they have larger brackets, it becomes difficult to clean around the brackets, leading to swollen gums.
Staining
The wire leading to the brackets is fixed using elastic ties, which can cause permanent stains.
Self-Ligating Braces
Unlike ceramic braces, which use elastics, Self-ligating braces use a slide mechanism to fix the archwires. It is the best orthodontic options for adults since it causes minimal friction and pressure on the teeth. The process allows easier teeth movements without being altered.
Benefits of Self-Ligating Braces
Efficiency
Since they do not use elastic, the process of closing the door on the self-litigating braces is more efficient.
Minimized discomfort
Self-ligating is the best braces to get for adults since they minimize patients’ discomfort during orthodontic treatment. They are designed with a wire in the bracket slots that reduces the friction and the force used in teeth movement.
Faster treatment
Self-ligating braces are the best orthodontic options for adults since they have helped lessen the treatment process by up to six months.
Stick free
Unlike other different kinds of braces for adults, you can never go wrong with this type of dental braces for adults. Since it is not made of elastic, food cannot get trapped between the teeth, thus eliminating plaque formation.
Disadvantages of Self-Ligating Braces
Expensive
Self-ligating braces are more advanced types of dental braces treatment for adults, making them more costly than other different kinds of braces for adults.
Less transparent
Although their brackets are clear, self-ligating braces are fitted with a conspicuous wire that runs across the upper and lower teeth.
May cause irritations
There is no discomfort experienced during orthodontic treatment, but patients may experience slight irritations when put or during the adjustment period. However, the irritation lasts for only a few days.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are almost similar to conventional braces, but they are invisible since they are fixed behind the teeth. This makes them the best orthodontic options for adults with cosmetic concerns.
They are made of a metal appliance and brackets designed to blend perfectly to your teeth’ shape.
Benefits of Lingual Braces
Invisible
Since they are fixed at the back of your teeth, they are transparent and virtually invisible.
Correct bite problems
Crooked teeth or bite issues can be a major challenge if it remains untreated and can trigger major problems in the future. Lingual braces effectively correct most bite problems.
Permanent brace treatment
Lingual braces are the best braces to get for orthodontic treatment for adults since they offer a fixed brace treatment. They do not require frequent replacement during the entire orthodontic process.
Disadvantages of Lingual Braces
Causes tongue irritation
Lingual braces are fixed behind the teeth leading to direct contact between the metal and tongue, thus irritation. Even with the introduction of braces with smaller brackets, the irritation may persist. Some patients may also experience pain and discomfort while using lingual braces.
Unhygienic
Having braces fixed at the back of the teeth causes major hygiene issues since you can’t clean the food stuck in your brackets.
Speech impairments
Lingual braces may interfere with your speech as you get used to having these braces.
How Much Do Braces Cost for Adults
So, how much do braces cost for adults? Different orthodontic treatments can be costly, but there are numerous ways to find affordable braces for adults.
The cost of all types of braces for adults depends on the type of orthodontic treatment and the duration of time they will need to be worn. However, the standard cost of braces is between $4500 and $8000.
Clear and white ceramic is more costly than all types of braces since they are invisible. If you are worried about braces’ cost, you can use the clear brackets for the top front teeth, then use metal on the invisible parts.
The high cost of braces is one thing hindering people from seeking the different orthodontic treatments. However, some insurance companies provide plans to cover dental braces options for adults up to 50 percent.
Learn more about cost of braces in Houston, TX.
Where to Get Braces in Houston
Are you looking for the best orthodontist in Houston? Voss dental is the ideal place for you. At Voss dental, you are assured of simple, reliable, and convenient ways of making payments. We maintain constant contact with your insurance provider to leverage the benefits you receive from your insurance.
Adults and Braces
Recently, dental braces for adults have become less bulky and visible, thus attracting orthodontic treatment for adults with misaligned teeth. You cannot separate adults and braces since an overwhelming majority of adults want to rectify the issue before it escalates to further damage. If crooked teeth are not aligned properly, they can cause premature wear and tear or developing tooth decay and gum diseases.
If you are looking for dental braces options for adults, contact us for a consultation, and we will offer the best and quality services.