It's Not Too Late to Straighten Your Teeth: The Essential Info on Adult Braces

Not so long ago, the average orthodontic patient was a child aged 8-14, and adults in an orthodontist office were typically parents of patients. That changed when new materials and orthodontic treatment options became part of the menu. 

Thirty-three percent of all orthodontic patients are adults, according to the American Association of Orthodontists. In this blog, Dr. Duval and the professional staff at Duval Orthodontics give you the lowdown on adult braces.

Effective teeth movement at any age

Orthodontics uses an appliance such as braces or clear aligners to gently move teeth to optimal alignment to address bite issues and crowding. The movement process is called ossification and relies on special bone cells: osteoclasts, which break down old bone where the teeth are moving from, and osteoblasts, which form new bone where the teeth are moving.

Guess what? Tooth movement does not rely on age for efficacy. The only requirements for effective orthodontics are having permanent healthy teeth, healthy gums, and a strong jawbone. 

It is more than an aesthetic decision

Okay, so adults can get orthodontic treatment, but it’s natural to question why now. After all, if they’ve waited this long, what’s the point of spending the time and money to get treatment now? Spoiler alert! It’s not about vanity and aesthetics.

Misaligned, crooked, or crowded teeth are much more difficult to properly brush and floss, putting you at a higher risk for cavities and gum disease. Besides, a beautiful, healthy smile is ageless and a confidence booster. You deserve to get your dream smile. 

A spectrum of adult braces options

Adults who needed braces as a child but never got them or whose teeth moved out of alignment over time have a staggering menu of orthodontic treatment options to choose from.

Here at Duval Orthodontics, we offer our adult patients an array of reputable, effective options of varied colors, materials, and proprietary designs.

Metal braces

The tried-and-true traditional metal braces are a standard treatment option with a welcome change – they are much more comfortable than ever. The elastics come in several colors; you can even opt for gold-colored braces instead of the traditional silver color.

Visibly discreet braces

If you’re looking for something less noticeable, we offer three options: ceramic braces, Incognito™ braces, and Six Month Smiles®. Each option has  a slightly different perspective on being visibly discreet.

Like traditional braces that use metal parts, ceramic braces instead use tooth-colored or clear brackets made of ceramic with clear wires. Similarly, Six Month Smiles also uses clear brackets and tooth-colored wires. We like to use Six Month Smiles to realign the front teeth. As its name implies, the Six Month Smiles system moves teeth in as little as six months.

Incognito™ braces create a less visible treatment option by turning traditional braces backward. Specifically, Incognito braces are lingual braces where the brackets aren’t placed on the front of the teeth but behind them by the tongue and palate.

No tightening is needed 

But that’s not where the options end. We even offer a tie-less bracket system called Damon® braces. Instead of periodically tightening an archwire, the Damon proprietary archwire uses a technologically advanced memory-shape material, ensuring that your teeth continuously move toward proper alignment. And as if that wasn’t enough, the Damon system expedites treatment time and is in clear brackets. 

If you’re ready to begin the journey to your best smile, schedule a consultation with Duval Orthodontics. Call our office in Warner Robins or Albany, Georgia, to book an appointment today or use the online scheduling feature.