Although it's common for children and teens to have interceptive orthodontic care to help them develop straight smiles and properly aligned teeth and jawbones, adults can also benefit greatly from orthodontic care. Having crooked teeth and a misaligned bite (malocclusion) not only affects the symmetry and balance of your smile's appearance but also the health of your teeth, gums, and maxillofacial anatomy.

If you're an adult and you'd like a straighter, healthier, more comfortable smile, then we encourage you to continue reading to learn some useful tips about braces and information about getting braces as an adult. It's never too late for a straight smile!

8 Tips for Getting Braces as an Adult: What You Should Know

1. Treatment Won't Last Forever

Many adults avoid orthodontic treatment because they believe it will take years to get a straighter smile. This, however, is a common misconception. For adults whose mouths and jawbones are fully developed and mature, orthodontic treatment with braces typically only requires about six months to two years at the longest to achieve the desired treatment results. 

2. You Have Options

Additionally, there are a wide variety of treatment options including traditional metal braces, clear or tooth-colored braces, treatments like Invisalign that use clear aligner trays, and treatments that involve a combination of brackets and aligner trays. The option that's right for you will largely depend on your orthodontic needs in addition to your personal treatment preferences and lifestyle. 

3. Treatment Can Be Discreet

It is common for adults to put off or avoid orthodontic care because they don't want to be seen with braces. Some adults might feel that braces could negatively affect their appearance or make them appear less professional or mature. Orthodontic treatment, however, can be discreet. 

There are several orthodontic treatment options available that can discreetly straighten your teeth without the need for wearing showy, metal braces. For example, Invisalign uses virtually invisible clear aligner trays to straighten the teeth, and traditional, bracket-based braces now also come in tooth-colored and clear options that are much less noticeable. So, you can improve your smile without altering your appearance during treatment. 

4. Straighter Smiles Are Healthier Smiles

Straightening your smile as an adult doesn't just improve your appearance; it also improves the health of your smile. Crooked teeth are more difficult to keep clean, and this puts you at an increased risk of developing several oral health problems such as tooth decay, cavities, and periodontal disease. Crooked teeth also often cause bite problems (malocclusion) which can lead to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), bruxism (clenching the jaw and grinding the teeth), and countless painful and uncomfortable symptoms related to these oral health problems. 

5. Treatment Costs Can Vary

When thinking about getting braces as an adult, you (not your parent) are likely the one who will be covering the cost. So, it's important to talk with your orthodontist and your insurance provider about the cost of your treatment and your coverage.

Insurance coverage can vary depending on the reasons for your orthodontic care. For example, insurance policies are more likely to cover braces that are needed for purposes that are not purely cosmetic. In many cases, braces are needed to address oral health problems or speech issues. 

Additionally, many orthodontists provide various payment options including payment plans and financing that can help make treatment with traditional braces or Invisalign more affordable. 

When comparing the traditional braces cost vs. Invisalign cost, you'll find that both fall into a similar range, depending on your individual orthodontic treatment plan and unique needs. Due to the similarity in cost, when deciding between traditional braces or teeth straightening with clear aligner trays like those used with Invisalign, we recommend focusing more on the specifics of the treatment plan and your personal treatment preferences, rather than the costs. 

6. Treatment Is Surprisingly Simple

The wide availability of advanced diagnostics and imaging tools in dental and orthodontic offices has simplified and streamlined the treatment process and vastly improved treatment outcomes. As a result, appointments require less time, and your treatment will require less frequent checkups, making treatment with braces surprisingly convenient and simple for adults with even the busiest schedules. 

7. Treatment Won't Disrupt Your Life

With a variety of treatment options, getting braces as an adult doesn't have to disrupt your life or require you to change your lifestyle. With modern treatments, you can continue enjoying all of your favorite foods, sticking with the oral hygiene routine you're accustomed to, and participating in your favorite sports and activities. 

8. You'll Enjoy Your Newly Improved Confidence

Every smile is beautiful, but having a straighter, healthier smile will improve your confidence and your oral health. This will help you feel good about yourself and leave lasting positive impressions on everyone you meet. 

Looking for an "Orthodontist Near Me?" Straighten Your Smile With Our Orthodontist in Brentwood, TN

If you're an adult and interested in straightening your smile, we encourage you to request an appointment with our orthodontist at Sterling Orthodontics in Brentwood. We will be happy to talk with you about your concerns, smile goals, and treatment options to help you start your journey to a straighter smile right away. 

‍