Am I too old to have braces?

Posted on: April 8th, 2014 by freshadmin No Comments

Many adults fear the sight of a camera and the request ‘smile!’ because they are embarrassed by their teeth. There has been little hope for those who feel self-conscious about their smile. Metal braces are seen as too ugly and time-consuming for adults, while other teeth straightening procedures may be seen as expensive and invasive.

Effective cosmetic braces for adults

New developments in teeth straightening technology mean that there are several options that are both effective and affordable and lifestyle appropriate. Both the Inman Aligner and Fastbraces have benefits for adults. The Straight Teeth Suite offers a down-to-earth guide to selecting the best cosmetic braces for you.

Inman Aligner

While the Inman aligner is not new, its capacity to straighten crooked or badly aligned teeth makes it a suitable orthodontic appliance for adults. It is valued because it has several advantages of fixed metal braces; the coil spring and bar structure ensures that the teeth are move to a better position over an eight week period by small movements that push/pull the teeth into correct alignment.

Advantages

  • It is very swift, working in 6-16 weeks to straighten teeth
  • It is a single brace system that can also act as a retainer
  • It is easy to use, and can be removed in seconds
  • It only needs to be worn 16 hours a day and is remarkably discreet in use
  • It is a very cost-effective solution in comparison to other orthodontic techniques.

Disadvantages

Of course there is no perfect solution to straighten front teeth and the Inman aligner has some downsides too:

  • It only works for front teeth and can’t address overcrowded teeth
  • It is not totally transparent; a tiny metal bar resting against the front teeth can generally be seen
  • Inman Aligners affect the speech when first fitted, requiring a week or two to get used to the system

Fastbraces

The concept of Fastbraces is relatively new in the UK but has been used for over 20 year in the USA and has proven great clinical success. This novel orthodontic treatment works much more rapidly than other fixed braces, while the design is basically similar to the classic fixed brace but because the design of the fast brace moves both the root and the crown of the teeth simultaneously, treatment time is dramatically shorter.

Advantages

  • The triangular brackets allow for finer and more flexible wire so the brace is lightweight and unobtrusive
  • Fastbraces can treat a range of complex problems such as: misaligned teeth, crowding, spaces between teeth.
  • This type of fixed braces is very quick and efficient and allows completion of treatments within 3 to 10 months.

Disadvantages

  • The cost of Fastbraces is higher than some other orthodontic brace treatments like the Inman Aligner
  • They involve metal brackets fixed on your front teeth during the length of the treatment.

Choosing the right cosmetic brace for your teeth

Both options will straighten teeth, giving a happy, healthy smile, and The Straight Teeth Suite, Nottingham offers a free consultation appointment to help you explore which is best for you.

Have you ever wanted to have one a perfect smile? But is your reality that of crooked teeth or a crowded, misaligned smile? Do you think there’s no help?

Not only is there help for adults with crowded or overlapping teeth but it may be necessary for good health. While most adults have cosmetic concerns with their teeth, the health concerns can be important: overlapping teeth are harder to clean, leading to a higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease, whilst teeth that don’t meet properly when the mouth is closed – called malocclusion – can lead to difficulties in chewing or swallowing. Poor tooth alignment can also contribute to difficulties in pronunciation and even put strain on the chewing muscles causing stress and eventually, facial pain.

There’s no doubt that it’s best to start orthodontic treatment for poorly aligned teeth or crowded smiles in childhood. At this age, simple braces with wires and rubber bands serve to move the teeth and correct their alignment.

Increasingly, adults are discovering that specialist orthodontic treatment has excellent results. In fact the American Association of Orthodontists recently reported that one in five orthodontic patients is eighteen or over. Which is good news, because there’s no age limit on having healthier, straighter teeth. There is a bit of bad news though, as we age our jawbone toughens so the teeth move more slowly so effective treatment can take longer. At Straight Teeth Suite Nottingham, we specialise in helping adults achieve the smile of their dreams.

Traditional braces

  1. The traditional metal braces with an arch-wire are held in place by elastic bands which gradually shift the teeth into better positions.

  2. Ceramic braces are tooth coloured that attach to the teeth’s outer surface and are usually recommended for upper front teeth.

  3. Lingual braces fit to the back surfaces of the teeth rather than the front, working in the same way as classic metal braces, and are undetectable.

All four of these treatment systems require a year to two years of treatment and often extraction.

Adult braces

For adults, cosmetic orthodontics may be a more viable proposition. This form of dental treatment uses the latest technology to reposition teeth swiftly and safely. Because it focuses on the teeth that show when smiling, there is no need for every tooth in the mouth to be realigned. Wires made from nickel titanium alloy deliver a fast and effective treatment that is also comfortable. This treatment system is often called Short Term Orthodontics and it doesn’t require tooth extractions, but it can’t correct the whole bite.

Cosmetic orthodontic systems – shorter period to a great smile

  • Six Month Braces use technology to move teeth quickly and safely with clear adult braces that improve the teeth that are revealed when smiling.
  • Accelerated Removable Braces are specifically designed to straighten the four front teeth and have particular effectiveness when teeth which have already been straightened begin to move again.
  • Invisible Braces are the most aesthetically pleasing, straightening the teeth with invisible aligners which can be removed to eat or when brushing the teeth.

Regardless of age, crooked teeth needn’t stop you smiling, nor cause other dental problems, just call us today and let us help you get the straight teeth you’ve always wanted.