Adult Orthodontics: What are my Options?
Through technological advances, adults who need orthodontic treatments have more options than ever before for a lasting healthy and beautiful smile. Adults can now choose affordable options to straighten teeth, adjust jaw alignment, and correct crowding in a small mouth.
Invisalign® – An Orthodontic Option for Adults
Although traditional metal braces are certainly an orthodontic treatment option for adults, there are alternatives that are less obvious that you have braces. Clear braces are installed directly on your teeth but are less noticeable thanks to clear brackets.
Clear aligners, or Invisalign®, are removable aligners that you wear day and night, except when eating, drinking beverages other than water, and brushing or flossing. Although, it is necessary to keep the invisible aligners in as much as possible, you can remove them for an hour or two if you have a professional presentation or other situations where you don’t want to have them in and possibly obstructing your speech.
Invisalign® braces are a good option for adults who want a new smile without the apparent braces. Patients with Invisalign® enjoy the following benefits:
- No wires
- No uncomfortable tightening or wearing braces for a long time
- It takes 50 percent less time than traditional braces
- You’re less likely to get more cavities from tooth decay while you’re wearing the braces since you take the aligners off to eat and during cleaning.
What’s Your Commitment?
If you’re thinking about getting braces, whether you want Invisalign® or traditional braces, you should expect to wear the devices for 6 to 12 months or longer, depending on the style and your oral health and post-treatment maintenance.
- Make time for appointments: You may need to see the dentist every four to six weeks when you first get the braces.
- Commit to good hygiene: You remove Invisalign® braces when you eat. But you do need to clean your teeth before putting the aligners back in your mouth.
- Any sticky foods and sugary drinks, especially if you get traditional braces.
- Wear a retainer at night after treatment ends to maintain your new smile.
- Following treatment, you continue good dental hygiene.
- Ultimately, only you and your orthodontist can determine which type of treatment is best for your situation. Your gums and bones need to be healthy enough to withstand the pressure of braces. If you have gum disease, you will most likely have to treat that problem before getting braces.
How Much Does Invisalign® Cost?
Invisalign®’s cost does vary by health insurance and how long you will need to wear them. Some orthodontic insurance may cover a portion of the cost, plus many dentists include affordable payment plans.
Ready for a healthy smile with straight teeth? Contact HollowBrook today for Invisalign®.
