The Fascinating Biomechanics of Orthodontic Appliances

People have lots of wrong preconceptions about orthodontic treatment. On the one hand, most patients reach out to their orthodontists looking for a way to improve their appearance. Nothing wrong with it, but people ignore how beneficial orthodontics is for their overall health.

On the other hand, a significant number of adults think you can get orthodontic treatment done if you’re older than a teenager. This is completely incorrect.

Though orthodontic treatments have been canonically more popular among teenagers, age is not a decisive factor when it comes to correcting teeth misalignments. Adults of all ages can be candidates to wear orthodontic appliances.

The more you wait, the worse your dental issues can get. It happens with tooth decay, and it happens with crooked teeth.

It’s important to note the fact that there are specific procedures and appliances for patients of all ages, traditional braces, and clear aligners being some of the most versatile orthodontic treatments.

When you address your Fort Worth orthodontic issues, you improve your oral health, reducing the risk of dental cavities, periodontal disease, jaw joint pain, headaches, bruxism (teeth grinding), and even bad breath.

Am I Too Old for Braces?

Age alone is not a determining factor when it comes to defining if a patient can have braces or not.

The factors that do intervene in the process have more to do with the oral health state of patients, meaning periodontal clearance, and the specific malocclusion issues that need correction.

Before diving into orthodontic treatment, patients have to complete an evaluation of their oral health. The examination and diagnosis process involves assessing the condition of your teeth, gums, and dentofacial structures.

In the cases where there are previous oral health conditions such as gingivitis or significant dental caries, these issues will need treatment before the orthodontic process can start. Oral health is crucial to ensure safe tooth movement and prevent complications.

Your orthodontist should work closely with your general dentist and periodontists to grasp the oral health status and decide on the convenience of orthodontic treatment.

Bone density and previous dental restorations, or dental fillings, are critical factors during the diagnosis stage. Nothing the combined efforts of the necessary dental experts can achieve.

Is Orthodontics Worse in Adults Than in Teens?

Though the differences are not radical regarding the age of the orthodontic patient, there are a few specific considerations to make for adults.

These considerations include longer treatment plans, lifestyle factors, and other health conditions. Nevertheless, thanks to the improvements in orthodontic procedures nowadays, patients of all ages can achieve excellent results and enjoy a straight smile.

We recommend finding an orthodontic with doctors experienced in different types of treatments and patients, like Dr. Evan Perkins (DDS & MSD, orthodontist, Forth Worth).

What Kind of Orthodontic Treatments Exist for Adults?

Adults can opt for several orthodontic treatment alternatives, going from the traditional ones to the most modern ones in the present market.

There are orthodontic appliances more versatile than others, but each treatment alternative can be effective and beneficial under the correct circumstances and guidance.

Traditional Metal Braces for Adults

The conventional braces you know are metal brackets your orthodontist will attach to your teeth with special cement. Each metallic bracket connects to the others thanks to the archwires, which are also metallic.

These are effective in most cases of dental malocclusions, whether the patient has a mild or a complex condition.

Braces are also cost-effective, robust, and resistant and can achieve precise tooth movement. Though they are highly visible, they can cause irritations due to their metal parts and require special hygienic care as well as food restrictions.

Clear Ceramic Braces for Adults

Ceramic braces are just like conventional metal braces, with the difference that they are ceramic and not metal.

The ceramic in braces is tooth-colored, which makes these less noticeable and more delicate. They are just as effective in correcting most orthodontic problems.

Clear ceramic braces tend to cost more than metal braces and have a higher risk of becoming stained when not maintained correctly (food restrictions include dark or staining ingredients).

INBRACE Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are a variation of traditional braces. They are also metal braces but go in the back of your teeth, on the lingual surface of the jaw, which makes them virtually invisible from the outside.

They keep the effectiveness factors as the other types of braces, but add difficulties to the oral hygiene routine, potential tongue discomfort, and higher costs.

Self-Ligating Braces

Self-ligating braces use brackets with inside clips or ‘doors’ to hold the metal wires in place. Those inside clips eliminate the need for elastic bands and give the braces a more uniform look.

Self-ligating braces reduce the likelihood of friction and irritation and have faster results than traditional braces. This type of orthodontic brace allows for a more straightforward oral hygiene routine.

Clear Aligners or Invisible Straighteners

Invisible clear aligners are a completely different alternative for orthodontic patients. Clear aligners change most of the main characteristics of traditional braces while maintaining high efficiency.

This type of treatment involves a series of transparent and acrylic molds that are custom-made for each patient to fit their teeth. As patients go on through the series, teeth move one step closer to an aligned smile.

Clear aligners are nearly invisible, removable (which eliminates food restrictions and hygiene issues), and are smooth and comfortable.

The prices of clear aligners can be considerably higher depending on the particular needs of each patient.

What Is the Best Type of Braces for Adults?

The specific goals, budget limitations, health conditions, and dental necessities of each patient set what is the best treatment course for them. The decision does not depend so much on the appliance but on the patient.

Your Fort Worth orthodontist must be one who can take all these factors into consideration and manage the options to recommend what’s truly the best type of braces for you.

Because of the nature of orthodontic treatment, it should always be personalized and occur under the guidance of licensed specialists.

Are There Celebrities With Lingual Braces?

The A-listers of Hollywood also need orthodontic treatment, though their jobs do not always allow for visible appliances, and they have to opt for more discreet ones.

Tom Cruise, the famous Mission Impossible actor; Khloé Kardashian, the reality TV star; and Emma Watson, the renowned actor of Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter saga, all wore lingual braces to fix their dental misalignments.

How Much Are Braces for Adults? – Forth Worth, TX

The severity of the orthodontic needs, the type of orthodontic appliance chosen and required, and the treatment length all influence the cost.

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) estimates the average price of orthodontic treatment with conventional braces ranges from $3,000 to USD 7,000 (children or adults).

Each dental home and specialist can have their own rates, and that’s why the only way to estimate how much teeth alignment will cost you is by going through the process of diagnosis.

Some particular factors may alter the price of the treatment:

• Treatment Length: Longer treatments will likely result in higher prices since they require more visits, materials, and adjustments.
• Orthodontist’s Expertise: Orthodontists with extensive experience and acknowledgment tend to charge higher fees.
• Additional Procedures: Cases where patients need tooth extractions, special appliances, or jaw surgery usually have an increased cost.

Orthodontist Fort Worth

Our Fort Worth Orthodontist, Dr. Evan Perkins, is the best specialist around when it comes to complex cases of adult orthodontics.

Perkins Orthodontics is a dental office with ample services, from traditional braces to jaw surgery and teen Invisalign treatment. The whole family is welcome.

Set an appointment with the team so the doctor can assess your beautiful teeth.