Teeth Alignment Options for Adults

Orthodontic advancements in recent years have allowed adults to correct crooked teeth, align jaws, and close gaps without necessarily wearing visible braces. Today, many orthodontic practices have adult-friendly teeth straightening options if you did not get braces as a kid, or you did but never followed through with wearing your retainer.

You should also have your teeth aligned if they have shifted, or you have a medical reason for pursuing proper alignment. Below are great adult-friendly teeth alignment options open to you.

1. Invisalign

Invisalign refers to a series of clear, removable aligners that straighten your teeth without using metal or wires. The aligners are custom-made to move teeth progressively into place and are switched out every two weeks. Invisalign are popular because they are not noticeable and can be removed to eat or on other special occasions. They also don’t have the risk of broken brackets or wires, so there’s not as many trips to the orthodontist’s office.

2. Clear Ceramic Braces

These tooth-colored braces resemble retainers and are not easily visible. The wire is silver, but all the ligaments and brackets are either clear or tooth-colored. However, the ligatures can stain with coffee or foods like curry; therefore, you should avoid these foods and change out the braces regularly.

3. Traditional Metal Braces

Traditional metal braces are still popular because they are effective at treating extreme teeth overcrowding, are less expensive compared to other options, and are highly durable. What’s more, today’s metal braces are visually appealing compared to past years. You may choose from a range of colors for both the elastics and the brackets. When you get metal braces, avoid foods that are not braces-friendly. These include chewy foods like candies and caramels or crunchy foods that easily get stuck in your teeth. You also must be very careful in playing sports, as there’s a risk of poking wires or broken brackets with a blow to the mouth.

4. Lingual Braces

These metal braces are applied behind the teeth; hence, they are out of sight and almost impossible to see. One of the downsides however, is they can be uncomfortable since brackets and wires press against your tongue.

5. Oral Surgery

A more short-term fix is surgery for some. Orthognathic, or corrective jaw surgery is performed to correct a broad range of dental and skeletal irregularities like misalignment of teeth and jaws. Surgery improves not only your appearance but also a host of other medical conditions ranging from facial injury and congenital deformities to sleep apnea.

Conclusion

Everyone’s different when it comes to their teeth alignment preferences. To find out which of these teeth alignment options is best for you, visit your dentist for a professional examination and recommendation. Primary considerations include your teeth and roots’ positioning, personal preferences, and lifestyle choices.