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Braces for adults – It’s never too late
At Adult Braces London our dentists are able to give you the smile that you have always wanted. More adults are looking for orthodontic solutions to straighten crooked and uneven teeth, but are self conscious about wearing orthodontic train-track braces.
We see a lot of adults at our clinic in London. In fact, one in every five patients undergoing orthodontic treatment nationwide is over the age of 21. The truth of the matter is, adults tend to be more compliant and can really fully appreciate the benefits of having a beautiful smile. You’re never too old for a healthy smile and the confidence that comes with it. To keep pace with the aesthetic demands requested by adult patients we offer a range of braces treatments to straighten teeth.
As braces have become less bulky and visible in recent years, more adults are wearing them, for a variety of reasons. Some adults want to correct problems with their teeth or jaws before they cause serious or further damage. Others want to feel better about their appearance by addressing longstanding cosmetic concerns. Bearing in mind that even "cosmetic" problems can cause real damage over time. Teeth and jaws that are not aligned properly can lead to premature wear of your tooth surfaces, This could consequently lead to tooth decay, gum disease, needing dentures or other reconstructive solutions.
New techniques and the advent of clear, less noticeable braces means that adults are increasingly turning to braces to correct:
With a large propotion of people in the UK having a degree of crowding, this is the most common reason for adults to embark on treatment. In some cases, extractions are necessary to create space to align the teeth.
Gaps can occur for many reasons such as larger than average jaws or having smaller than average teeth. In some cases, adult teeth don’t come through and this leaves spaces in the mouth.
Another common problem in the UK is having a lower jaw which is positioned too far back, making the upper teeth appear to stick out. Upper teeth can also lean forward resulting in very noticeable front teeth.
Upper and lower teeth not meeting at the front
Whilst the appearance is less of a concern in this situation, there is noticeable difficulty in biting food, such as apple is more of an issue. An open bite is a complex problem and requires careful planning and experienced execution of the treatment plan.
Upper teeth closing too far over the lower teeth
When your upper teeth close too far over the lower teeth, irreversible harm can occur to the teeth and gums. The lower teeth biting into the back of the upper teeth may lead to wear and potentially damage to the gums. Some people with a deep bite can also have front teeth leaning inwards.
Upper teeth closing behind lower teeth
Not only can a crossbite create an asymmetrical smile, it can make eating more challenging because there is no natural bite. The teeth can meet awkwardly, causing damage or wear to the tips of the teeth. In severe cases braces and jaw surgery (orthognathic treatment) may be required.
Teeth are not only important for eating. They are also a major factor in appearance. Having a beautiful smile can boost a person’s self-esteem and help them to feel confident. An unattractive smile, however, can have the complete opposite effect on people. Uneven teeth may make people feel unattractive and self-conscious. As an adult, this may also affect how people are looked at by as potential employers. A straight, healthy smile may provide a more professional look and increase the chances of being taken more seriously.
When the teeth are mal aligned they prove to be food traps and unable to be effectively cleaned. Further to that as people age, the chance of dental health problems may increase. Loss of bone structure and issues with the structure of the jaw, such as TMJ may cause difficulty with chewing and biting. Sometimes braces can help with alignment to improve these issues.
Over the years there have been many changes and improvements to braces. There are now a lot of choices when it comes to braces. There are now clear braces available, so it is hard to tell when someone is even wearing them at all. Sometimes it is even possible for them to be placed on the back of the teeth instead of the front.
Braces can be costly, but with the variety of choices available now, many adults, whose families may not have been able to afford them when they were younger, have options. Many orthodontists also accept a variety of health insurances plans and offer financing options for costs not covered by insurance.
Treatments | Cost |
---|---|
Invisalign | £1900 to £4650 |
Ceramic Braces | from £3000-£4600 |
Lingual Braces | from £3500 to £7000 |
Braces for Children | from £2700-£3200 |
Six Month Braces | from £2500 |
Yes, adults can have orthodontic treatment to straighten their teeth.
Adults can have orthodontic treatment to correct the same dental problems that children have, such as crowding, an overbite or gaps between the teeth. Treatment is likely to involve wearing a brace for a few months to two-and-a-half years, depending on what needs to be done. Your dentist will go through your options with you.
Of course not! A good percentage of our patients are over the age of 21. Not only can braces align your bite and boost your confidence, straightening your teeth can greatly improve your oral health. Adults tend to be the best candidates for esthetic choices like ceramic braces and Invisalign so treatment can be discreet.
The biggest advantage of getting braces as an adult is that you are helping the long term health of your teeth. Straighter teeth are easier cleaned and maintained and will lead to less problems as you get older. Crooked teeth are more likely to build up plaque over time and this can lead to gum problems and even loss of teeth. This can lead to more expensive cosmetic dental procedures in the future such as veneers and cosmetic dentures.
For teenagers, orthodontics treatments are a way of preventing future dental problems. This is also the case for many adults who seek orthodontics treatments as a way of fixing teething problems they have had from childhood. It can also be a way of fixing teeth that have become crooked during your late teens or early 20s as wisdom teeth grow and change the position of some teeth. For many adults though, braces are a way of straightening teeth to help give you a better smile and increase your confidence. A healthy smile is a happy smile.
Adult braces tend to work by using a low, gentle force to move specific teeth into the right position. This gentle approach means that you shouldn’t experience too much pain. You may feel some slight discomfort immediately after I fit your brace or change an aligner but this can generally be controlled using over-the-counter pain medication.
I always recommend that you wear a retainer after any orthodontic treatment, as this will help keep your teeth in their new position (after all, they have probably been out of alignment for many years). I will explain more about how and when you need to wear your retainer when you come into the practice.
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