Top Reasons to Get Braces as an Adult

After reading our top reasons to get braces as an adult, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner! Whether your teeth affect your confidence or your ability to maintain good oral health by making brushing and flossing difficult, you don’t have to put up with it anymore. Dental technology is improving all the time, and Howard Orthodontics will always offer the most comfortable and effective treatments. 

When you think of braces, the first thing that comes to mind is probably a metal-clad teen face, and that may not be the look you want to sport as an adult. While it is most common to utilize orthodontic treatments such as braces in adolescence, adults make up about one in every three to five orthodontic patients today. Talk about a positive trend!

You’re never too old to benefit from orthodontic treatment, and thanks to cutting-edge technology, gone are the days of painful headgear, bulky bands on every tooth, and overly tight stainless steel wires. Today’s orthodontic treatment is much more comfortable than it used to be. Howard Orthodontics offers the latest orthodontic options to make new smiles fast and affordable for patients no longer in their elementary or teen years. Whether you’re looking for cosmetic corrections or to improve functionality, we have orthodontic treatments to help. 

You deserve orthodontic care that reflects your individual needs. Dr. Eric Howard and his friendly and experienced team believe that an informed patient will have more successful results, so your role in treatment is just as important as ours. Together, we will build your self-confidence and create positive life changes. Let’s look at some of the reasons to get braces as an adult. 

Aesthetics and the confidence of a perfect smile

Your self-esteem depends significantly on your teeth, and a crooked smile or misaligned bite can leave you feeling less confident when all eyes are on you. You may notice you shy away from personal conversations or avoid having your photo taken only to give a less-than-thrilled, lips-only grin when you can’t escape. For some patients, the positioning of your teeth may even affect your speech by causing your tongue or lips not to attain the position necessary to make certain sounds. 

Here at Howard Orthodontics, we believe the essence of good oral health is creating confidence in our patients. Orthodontic treatment is more than just straightening teeth, and our care philosophy embraces science and art to give you the best possible results!

Improved overall health

Braces are instrumental in correcting misaligned teeth and other dental issues that lead to further common health problems like headaches, jaw pain, digestion issues, and even sleep apnea. 

Improper alignment of teeth and jaws throughout an adult’s life can cause damage to the areas where teeth meet incorrectly during chewing and can even make the process of chewing itself difficult. When your jaws or teeth do not meet properly during chewing, you risk overexertion of the jaw muscles and complications like TMD or temporomandibular joint disorders. Not being able to chew correctly can result in food not being digested timely or adequately and lead to acid reflux, indigestion, and diminished nutrient absorption. 

Braces also require a little extra cleaning and care, which means your mouth will be getting better overall attention and maintenance. And having straight teeth can make cleaning them much less tricky as there will be less opportunity for plaque and bacteria to build up, more room to floss with better access to your gum line, and this can decrease your chances of cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease.

Variety of treatment options

You can get the most recent orthodontic treatments at Howard Orthodontics. Depending on the severity of your case, your options may include traditional metal braces, clear braces, and Invisalign. In some cases, a combination of options can improve the efficiency and aesthetics of your treatment. 

Metal braces

Traditional metal braces are the most time and cost-effective orthodontic treatment. Modern braces have come a long way in recent years and are made of high-grade stainless steel brackets connected by metal wires that are gradually adjusted to move your teeth over time. The brackets are secured to your teeth with special glue, and we offer colored ties in dozens of colors for personalization and fun that can be changed each visit.

Clear braces

Clear braces work in much the same way as their metal counterpart but are made of a clear or tooth-colored material instead of metal for a barely-there appearance. Older teens and adults may prefer this option for an inconspicuous approach. Still, it is worth noting that this option is more susceptible to breaking or staining depending on your eating and lifestyle habits. 

Invisalign 

This innovative system straightens teeth without brackets, bands, or wires, unlike braces. Instead, clear aligners fit over your teeth and are removable, making it easier to eat, drink, brush, and floss. These aligners need to be worn for 22 hours a day during your treatment and are changed every one to two weeks to keep consistent pressure on your teeth and jaws. Attachments, or glue bumps, are also added to your teeth to help the aligners move particularly stubborn teeth or to perform more difficult movements. 

Cost-Efficient – Now and Later

It’s no secret that your oral health is strongly connected to your overall health, and there’s never been a better time to consider orthodontic treatment. When combined with proper dental hygiene, braces can decrease your chances of cavities, gum disease, and costly procedures like tooth extractions or treatments that treat the symptoms, not the cause, of problems. Specific orthodontic issues like misaligned bites can wear down your teeth and lead to chipping, cracking, and even tooth loss, which will cost you much more in the long run.

Howard Orthodontics has improved patients’ self-confidence, appearance, and health by being committed to making orthodontics affordable for you and your family. We emphasize exceptional service, offer flexible payment options, and file your insurance forms to ensure you get your maximum benefits before creating a plan that works best for your budget. 

Transform your adult smile with Howard Orthodontics

All treatments have their own lists of pros and cons, and we know you have a unique set of needs with your unique smile, no matter your age. Whether you want to keep this journey more inconspicuous, prioritize comfort over aesthetics, or simply enjoy the fastest option that gets you to your perfect smile, Howard Orthodontics has been the standard for Lancaster area smiles for more than a decade. 

Our warm and fun office features advanced technology to make choosing your orthodontic treatment options a little less daunting. If you still have questions about getting braces as an adult, our happy and well-trained orthodontic team would love to meet you for your FREE consultation to get you started on your journey to a confident smile.