Orthodontics For Adults: A Detailed Look Into The Various Orthodontic Treatments

Very few people naturally have straight teeth. However, you are not alone if you desire a perfectly aligned and beautiful smile. Nearly 4 million Americans wish to have a straighter set of teeth.

Years ago, metal braces were the only treatment that could straighten teeth. We now have various treatments in adult orthodontics that range from conspicuous metal braces to inconspicuous clear aligner braces. With these options, you can bid farewell to all the alignment and bite-related issues that have deterred you from having a healthy and stunning smile.

Orthodontics 101

Most people think of orthodontics as a cosmetic procedure. But this is just part of what the treatment can do. Orthodontics’s heart is giving our patients a healthy and functional bite. As an orthodontist for adults near you, we can help you get a functional bite by carefully analyzing your jaw’s position and tooth alignment.

Our orthodontist can make it so that your teeth line up like they are supposed to function as designed. The attractive smile is just the cherry on top.

Malocclusion will not only affect the aesthetics of your smile, but it can come with other issues. For example, you may have increased jaw pain because your teeth aren’t lining up correctly, leading to temporomandibular joint disorder. You can also experience speech issues and digestion problems.

Who Needs Orthodontic Treatment?

Almost anyone can benefit from orthodontic treatment, but some patients might need it more than others. If any of the following issues plague you, you may need to see our orthodontist for adults near you:

• Overbite
• Underbite
• Crossbite
• Spaced teeth
• Open bite
• Misplaced midline
• Crowded teeth

How Does Orthodontic Treatment Work?

Whichever device you pick, they all operate under the same principle. They are designed to shift teeth to a better position by applying pressure on them over a given time frame.

Orthodontics works by using various devices. The devices will fall into two categories: removable and fixed appliances.

Here are the various orthodontic treatments that our dentist near you offers:

• Traditional Metal Braces

Metal braces have evolved ever since they came into the market decades ago. As a result, they are much lighter and more effective than ever before. In addition, they are made from high-grade stainless steel, making them sturdy.

They have metal brackets, which are attached to your teeth. Then an archwire is used to link one metal bracket to another. These wires are the ones that apply pressure on your teeth so that they can move them to their new positions. They are effective clear aligner braces when dealing with severe cases.

The only downside is that most adults find them aesthetically unappealing and associate the treatment with teenagers and children.

• Lingual Braces

Lingual braces operate the same way as conventional metal braces, with the major difference being that they fit on the inner teeth’ surface. This is a fantastic feature that makes them virtually invisible when you smile.

Can use them to correct specific needs. For example, if you desire to straighten just six teeth, they are a great option.

• Clear Braces

Clear braces have more aesthetic appeal than metal braces. They are similar to metal braces; however, the brackets are made from tooth-colored material. Clear braces are also referred to as ceramic braces.

• Clear Aligners

If you are skeptical about metal braces because of their poor aesthetics, you can go for clear aligners. They come in customizable trays that look somewhat like boxers’ mouth guards. However, these have a better design and are more discreet.

• Self-Ligating Braces

These braces are similar to conventional braces. However, they differ in how they are designed. Traditional metal braces have o-rings or elastics that hold the archwires to the metal brackets. The brackets hold the archwire in place with self-ligating braces by closing a small spring-loaded door.

The Bottom Line

Whether you are looking for an inconspicuous option or you don’t mind having a bit of color in your mouth, we have a suitable orthodontic treatment for you. In any case, orthodontic treatment is essential if you have bite-related issues. Contact our dentist at Sunny Smile Kids to schedule a consultation for orthodontic treatment today.