Do You Need Adult Braces? | Showtime Smiles

Adult Braces

Those who did not get braces growing up often think they can’t get braces as an adult, but luckily, it’s never too late to start orthodontic treatment.

Thanks to advances in orthodontic technology, more and more adults are going to orthodontists to get the treatment they need. There are many different types of orthodontic treatments that are more discreet, faster, and more effective than ever before.

Orthodontic Alternatives to Braces for Adults

When it comes to orthodontics, most people immediately think of traditional metal braces. These days, there are many other effective choices for treatment.

Other alternatives exist for adults including:

Invisalign: Invisalign is a brand of clear aligners and one of the most popular alternatives to braces. Many love that there are no metal brackets or bulky wires that crowd the teeth. In addition, because you can remove the aligners to eat, you don’t have as many food restrictions as with traditional braces.

Clear and Ceramic Braces: Clear braces are another popular alternative for adult braces. They use similar technology to traditional braces but have a more discreet look like clear aligners. The brackets are attached to your teeth to provide effective treatment, while the ceramic material looks more like your natural teeth.

How is Orthodontic Treatment Different for Adults?

For adults, their teeth have stopped growing and therefore are not as susceptible to movement. When teeth are still growing, the teeth can be moved and adjusted into different positions a little more easily.

Adult teeth have set in place and have been for years. In addition, the aging of tissue causes teeth to take longer to adjust to new positions. Adult braces and orthodontic treatment then has to work against this and work harder to move the teeth to the position they need to be.

For adults, this can mean adults can expect to wear braces anywhere from 18 months to 3 years.

Meet Our

Doctor

When you’re at Showtime Smiles, you’re under the care of the best orthodontic team in the McKinney area. Our board certified orthodontist, Dr. Bar, has a certification granted by the American Board of Orthodontics. The distinction comes with years of extra residency, additional education and more hands-on patient care. When you choose a board certified orthodontist, you know that you are choosing someone that the dental industry deems the top of the class!