How Long Do Braces Take to Work for Adults?
If getting braces as an adult to straighten teeth, you might have concerns about the timeline for the treatment. Earlier it was rare for adults to consider orthodontic treatment. Fortunately, things have changed dramatically since the late 90s, when alternatives for traditional braces also become available from different manufacturers.
Getting braces for straightening teeth is an excellent idea because it helps improve the positioning of your teeth to give you the straighter teeth you always wanted and prevents you from hiding your smile because you find it un-aesthetic to show off your crooked and misaligned teeth. Whether you developed orthodontic imperfections from childhood habits or as a genetic disorder getting braces to straighten teeth from the orthodontist in Houston, TX, proves beneficial in many ways.
adult braces Houston
Benefits of Braces
Crooked and misaligned teeth, besides impacting your smile, also made you vulnerable to infections like tooth decay and gum disease because you couldn’t maintain appropriate dental hygiene and inadvertently allowed plaque to remain on and between your teeth, making you a victim of the problems mentioned above.
Your decision to get adult braces in Houston provides freedom from dental infections and improves your self-confidence by helping you smile without hesitation because of orthodontic imperfections. The treatment you receive from orthodontic braces also makes it easier to chew foods you found challenging earlier. Therefore the benefits of braces are numerous and can surprise you after you have your teeth straightened using a gold standard orthodontic treatment as a therapy.
Are Braces Safe for Adults?
As an adult, you help yourself by not worrying about the safety aspect of dental braces because these appliances are safe for everyone, including children and the elderly. Orthodontic braces are provided by orthodontists specializing in teeth straightening, and the devices have been in use for over a century. Therefore the safety of adult braces near you remains undisputed.
How Much Time Do You Need for Adult Braces to Deliver Results?
The answer to the above question will depend on the complexity of your situation and the specific orthodontic appliance you get to straighten your teeth. For example, adult teeth are not as malleable as children’s teeth and are challenging to shift to their proper positions. Therefore you might require more time to straighten your teeth than children.
If you have mild orthodontic imperfections, the orthodontist might find you suitable for clear braces allowing you to straighten your teeth within six months to one year. Unfortunately, if your complications are severe and you need metal and wire braces, you require over three years. You can inquire with your orthodontist how much correction you need to give you a rough estimate on the timeline you must wear the braces.
If you also need bite corrections, you might require more time with your treatment with the braces on your teeth. Correcting problems with jaw alignment requires more time with rubber bands and other orthodontic appliances such as an upper jaw expander and headgear braces. These devices work in tandem with the braces on your teeth to gradually move your jaw into alignment while the braces move your teeth. In such cases, you can expect to wear your braces longer without jaw- alignment devices.
The most significant aspect of determining how long you must wear the braces depend on your compliance with your treatment to straighten your teeth in the shortest time possible. Unfortunately, if you damage your braces and need replacements, the setback can increase the time for wearing the braces by a few weeks. In addition, the orthodontic treatment isn’t complete even after your teeth and jaw appear aligned. It indicates that even after completing your treatment with braces, you must continue wearing a retainer to deter your teeth from shifting back to their original positions. Therefore you must seek advice from your orthodontist and remember that rushing to a perfect smile isn’t a reality as an adult.
Tips To Achieve the Best Results from Braces
If you want to achieve the best results from braces, we suggest you brush your teeth thoroughly and floss between your teeth using floss threaders. You can find floss threaders at drugstores or groceries. Using interdental brushes for cleaning between your teeth and the braces also helps. The tools allow you to save time and clean your teeth to the best of your ability.
You must also adhere to the dietary restrictions suggested by the orthodontist to avoid damaging the braces and extending wear time. It would help if you refrained from having chewing gum, popcorn, or nuts that might get trapped between your braces to damage them. A visit to your orthodontist becomes necessary whenever you damage your braces to have them repaired and sets you back by weeks during your teeth straightening journey. Fortunately, if you are suitable for clear braces, you can avoid these challenges and stick to the requirement of wearing the braces over your teeth for the recommended time every day.
If you have queries about how long braces take to work for adults, kindly do not hesitate to contact Greater Houston Dental Arts, providing comprehensive information and the treatment you need to straighten your teeth as an adult.