The Top Three Reasons Why Adults Choose Braces

So you’re considering braces as an adult. Perhaps they were offered to you as a child, but you or your parents decided against them. Perhaps you did have orthodontic treatment at a young age, but it didn’t give you the full results you needed, or perhaps needs to be followed up with more care as your teeth have progressed. Or perhaps your family dentist or orthodontist overlooked your need for braces entirely. No matter what, you won’t be alone if you’re looking into orthodontic care. After all, about 20% of people that get braces each year are adults. While it once might have seemed less common for adults to get braces, it’s now become something more of a norm. With that being said, it’s understandable if you’re still not certain. Braces are costly, and they do take some time to fully work. During that time, you might feel a little self-conscious if you’re wearing traditional metal braces.

But with that being said, traditional metal braces are not the only braces for adults on the market. For that matter, there are many more benefits to getting braces than simply cosmetic benefits. With that being said, let’s look into some of the reasons why you should consider braces for adults, rather than simply assuming that because you’re no longer a child, you no longer need them.

1. You Don’t Have to Choose Metal Braces

One reason why adults are often put off of the idea of braces is that they believe that there are still only a few options available, principally traditional metal braces. As previously mentioned, there are more options in terms of braces for adults than ever before. While metal braces are still available for those that want them, a marginally more expensive or comparable option is the Invisalign aligner. Invisalign aligners are essentially clear models, molded to your specific teeth. They are not visible to the naked eye and have the same results as traditional braces without the negative side effects that sometimes come with traditional braces, like food stuck in the brackets and pain during their adjustment. Furthermore, these aligners are often covered by orthodontic care plans, and can otherwise sometimes be financed in installments. These are just a few of the many reasons why many adults prefer them.

2. Straight Teeth Equal Confidence

There are real social and professional benefits to having straighter or at least more well-aligned teeth. A lot of adults experience confidence issues due to their teeth being crooked, or perhaps crowded and overlapping. This can be corrected through braces; in fact, a lot of adults experience straight teeth for the first time as the result of having braces. With that being said, there can also be a marked difference in how people treat you, and whether or not you’re taken seriously, dependent on the state of your teeth. This is often what drives most adults to get braces in the first place.

3. Pain Relief

If you’re considering braces for adults, you may already be dealing with orthodontic health problems. An overbite or a misaligned jaw may not seem like a major issue when you’re young. But as you grow older, it may become more of a problem. It’s not uncommon for patients to experience jaw and tooth pain, simply due to a lack of orthodontic treatment. Some also experience issues like headaches or problems with speaking. With that being said, many of these problems become much less serious or can be cured entirely with orthodontic care. Keep in mind that braces for adults do not represent an instant fix. A lot of people need to have care for some time, as well as other procedures, to get the full effect. But ultimately, it’s an important first step.

Adults obviously have a number of different reasons for getting braces. However, now that there is not one single option, and now that braces can be more easily incorporated into our lives as adults, it’s important to consider having the orthodontic care that we need. While it might be a bit of a challenge at first, you’ll be relieved once you have the results! Learn more by contacting Nowlin Orthodontics for a free orthodontic consultation today.