A mother brought her child in for a consultation and exam for braces. At the end of her child’s appointment she asked, “What about me? Would braces work for me? I wanted them when I was a child. Now that I am an adult I don’t know if it’s too late and if it isn’t, which ones would work best for me?”
First of all, it is never too late for braces or rather to seek orthodontics as an option for straighter teeth and over all better oral health. At Carter & Higgins Orthodontics, we see patients anywhere from 3 years old to almost 80. Everyone’s story and case are different, but it is never too late for anyone.
That being said, what types of braces are right for an adult? I believe it is a matter of the patient’s opinion and life style. The choice between metal braces, clear braces or Invisalign is more of a personal preference. With Dr. Carter’s experience and expertise in orthodontics, the goals of every individual’s case can be accomplished whether with braces or Invisalign.
Metal braces are still tried and true. I see many adults sporting the metal mouth with a change of colored bands after every adjustment appointment. The metal braces are more cost effective for some, some just want them.
Clear braces are a great option for those who don’t want to go the Invisalign route. Some patients worry they might forget to put their Invisalign aligners back in or not wear them enough resulting in longer treatment time. But they want to have braces that are less visible and more esthetic.
Invisalign treatment is becoming more popular by the day, both for adults and for teens. Invisalign attracts many as it is virtually clear. Yes, the aligners and the tiny white colored “bumps” placed carefully on select teeth to keep the aligners tracking are still visible but only very close up. Another wonderful perk is you can continue to eat anything you desire. The goal for Invisalign is to wear the aligners for 22 hours a day, taking them out only to eat and brush teeth. Patients do not eat when wearing the aligners and drink only water to prevent any colored liquid from becoming trapped in the aligners and staining the teeth. It is considerably easier to keep teeth clean with Invisalign. Where braces require extra time and care for brushing and flossing, Invisalign can be removed to clean teeth thoroughly.
Braces, clear or metal, or Invisalign are all great options for any adult seeking a healthier, straighter smile.
