Dental braces are a way to correct and straighten teeth to keep the bite healthier and stronger while their smiles look so much better. Gone are the days that you see only teens with a mouthful of metal braces. These days, adults are considering the treatment too.
Dental braces are a way to correct and straighten the teeth to keep the bite healthier and stronger while their smiles look so much better. In the past, teenagers were more wont to wear metal braces, but now adults are also wearing braces or aligners. But how old is old when it comes to getting braces? If you think you are way beyond the age requirement, think again.
Adult Braces: A Fast-Growing Segment
Adults are now discovering that teeth could still move and align if they are not maintained well. They are also starting to accept that adults could use braces and aligners to correct their teeth. If yours is crooked, has gaps, spaced out, or crowded, metal braces are your best options. They can straighten your teeth and allow you to enjoy a great bite and a good-looking grin for the rest of your life. But before you ask your dentist in Redwood City for adult braces, it’s important that you know a few important things:
- There is no age limit for getting braces. Ideally, you get the metal braces when your permanent teeth are complete. That means you would be well in your teens. But adults beyond 30 can get braces too, as long as you fulfill the requirement and you can be suited for it. For one, you need a set of permanent teeth. For another, you need a healthy jaw bone. Your dentist also needs to see if you have other dental issues and would work to address them properly before your doctor recommends you to get one.
- Have a regular checkup. Being in close contact with your dentist and coming for regular consultations is very important. Your dentist needs to have a good look at your teeth and see if it is suitable for this particular teeth correction technique. Otherwise, you might be suggested another way to correct your bite.
- Be prepared to modify your oral hygiene. Getting braces means you will be exerting more effort to take care of your teeth. You will need to brush and floss more, and you must also keep all your dental appointments.
If you are not well suited to have metal braces, you may also opt for other things that could help cure the misalignment in your teeth. Braces are purposeful for crooked, spaced out teeth. They are considered the best, most practical means of correcting overbites and underbites. But they are not alone in that department. Other options include:
- Ceramic braces. As opposed to metal braces, ceramic braces are almost indiscernible. They are made with the same color of the teeth. That’s why.
- Clear aligners – Aligners made of plastic is also widely available. They are more convenient because they can be taken out and fitted in anytime. But of course, the effect is not the same as metal braces. If you want a more accurate correction, metal braces work best.
- Veneers – These are porcelains that are the same color of the teeth and are worn on top of the existing teeth to help fix chipped and stained teeth.
Braces are a great way to correct your bite and give you a great-looking smile. It does not matter how old you are. What matters is you work closely with your dentist to see if you are well suited for braces, or you need to opt for another to correct your problems with alignment and others.
