Orthodontics for adults: why more adults are getting braces or aligners

Did you think that wearing a dental appliance was just for teenagers? If so, then you'd be mistaken! A study published in Gaceta Dental and supported by Oscar Castro (President of the Spanish General Council of Dentists) states that at least 25% of adults between 35 and 45 years old need orthodontics. However, this need is not exclusive to that age range - there are many young adults and people over 45 years of age who would benefit from the use of orthodontics. And today there are many teeth straightening solutions for adults.

What is orthodontic treatment for adults?

The main difference between orthodontics in adults and in previous stages is that the bone structure is already fully formed in adults, so orthodontists are working with permanent teeth. In the case of children, interceptive orthodontics is usually used, which prevents and corrects malocclusion problems before jaw development is complete.

Why wear orthodontics in adulthood?

Orthodontics is not only a matter of aesthetics. Poorly placed teeth can end up causing more serious dental or even health problems: poor digestion, sleep apnea, tooth loss, headaches, neck pain or even difficulty pronouncing certain sounds.

Orthodontics for adults: when is it necessary?

There are three types of adult patients who seek out

functional orthodontics. First, there are those who haven’t been able to be treated before, which could be for a number of reasons. Secondly, there are those adults who have already had braces when they were younger. In the case of those who have to repeat treatment with orthodontics, it’s a problem that’s usually related to not wearing retainers at the end of treatment. Then lastly, there are the patients who didn’t need orthodontics as a child but who may need it as an adult because of something like their wisdom teeth growing in and shifting the teeth and or causing crowding. Orthodontics for adults can treat all sorts of dental problems, from the simplest to the most complicated: crowding, open occlusion, protrusion, overbite, anterior or posterior crossbite, gapped teeth, etc.

Main orthodontic problems in adults

When it comes to teeth straightening for adults, it’s important to be aware of the issue needing repair. The list of most frequent problems treated by orthodontics for adults includes:

• Orthodontics to correct underbite in adults. Underbite occurs when the teeth of the upper arch are behind those of the lower arch.
• Orthodontics to expand the palate in adults. This type of orthodontics is performed on adults who have a palate that is too narrow.
  
• Orthodontics to correct class 3 malocclusion in adults. Class 3 malocclusion occurs when the lower molars are too far forward and do not fit into the corresponding upper molars.
  
• Orthodontics to treat crowding in adults. Crowding happens when the oral cavity is not big enough to fit all the teeth, so they end up being crowded and on top of each other.
  
• Orthodontics to treat open bite in adults. This is when the mouth is closed and there is a space between the top and bottom teeth because the upper arch does not come into contact with the lower arch.
  
• Orthodontics to treat dental protrusion in adults. Dental projection consists of a malocclusion in which the teeth of the upper arch exceed those of the lower arch.
  
• Orthodontics to treat overbite in adults. An overbite occurs when the upper teeth vertically cover the lower teeth more than normal.
  
• Orthodontics to treat gapped teeth in adults. We suffer from gapped teeth when there is too great a separation between the teeth.
  

The different orthodontic treatment options for adults

There are currently many types of braces and orthodontic treatment options for adults. Thanks to advances in technology and medicine, you can now choose between several different types of orthodontics:

• Metal braces for adults - The most popular option for teeth straightening braces orthodontics for adults is metal braces. They are made up of metal braces glued to the tooth and joined by a wire that is also made of metal.
• Clear braces for adults - Ceramic or sapphire braces work in the same way as metal braces, although they are a bit more discreet becasure their colour mimics that of the tooth's natural enamel. And for that reason, clear braces can be common among adults.
  
• Lingual braces - Placed on the inside of the teeth, lingual braces are completely invisible from the outside unless you look inside the mouth, making them the least noticeable type of metal orthodontic braces for adults. They work in the same way as metal braces, with the only difference being the change in location.
  
• Removable Orthodontics for Adults - Removable aligners are essentially just transparent splints that work by putting pressure on the teeth to move them until they are fully aligned. Their main component is rigid and robust polyurethane, a type of high-quality medical material created with the latest technology. It is also the most comfortable and functional option when it comes to orthodontics for adults. You can brush your teeth and maintain good oral hygiene by flossing normally, making them a great alternative to braces for adults.
  

Adult orthodontics: before and after

In the adult stage, the results can be as good as in other stages. However, the use of retainers is very important so that the results are maintained over time. If you are curious to see the before and after of orthodontics in adults, at Impress we have a section where you can take a look at some of the cases we have treated and see what our results have looked like.

Advantages and disadvantages of orthodontics in adults

Like orthodontics in children and adolescents, orthodontics in adults has some advantages and disadvantages that we should know before starting treatment.

Disadvantages of orthodontics in adults

Orthodontic treatment for adults has some risks that should be taken into account, although many of them can be avoided:

Recurrence

Recurrence happens when we don't do the correct maintenance at the end of treatment with night retainers. But, if we use them properly after treatment, recurrence can be avoided.

Discomfort

When we wear braces we have to think that movements are taking place in our teeth that can cause some discomfort. Above all, we notice these discomforts in our teeth when the device is adjusted after each revision, in the case of braces for adults, or when we change the set of aligners, in the case of invisible orthodontics.

Sores

Sores are small wounds that occur inside the mouth due to certain types of devices rubbing against the soft tissues of the oral cavity. Oral sores or thrush can be treated with a special wax that prevents the braces from rubbing against the skin. This is much more frequent with the use of fixed appliances such as braces than with removable orthodontics, such as Impress aligners.

Radicular reabsorption

Resorption is the shortening of the tooth root. This can happen when drastic and too rapid tooth movements occur during orthodontic treatment. That is why it is vitally important to carry out the orthodontic treatment with experts. They will perform all the necessary tests to ensure that this doesn’t happen, plus they’ll carry out exhaustive check-ups to detect any anomalies.

Appearance of tartar and tooth decay

 Both the accumulation of tartar and the appearance of cavities are two consequences of not maintaining adequate oral hygiene. We should remember that braces make oral hygiene difficult, so we must be even more attentive. But, if we brush our teeth after every meal and floss, we can prevent both of these two conditions. It’s also important to note that these problems are more frequent with fixed orthodontics than with removable ones, since with the latter we can remove the aligners to brush our teeth and floss.

Benefits of orthodontics or braces in adults

Orthodontics has many benefits for the adult patient, like:

Improved aesthetics

We can correct those small dental imperfections and achieve the smile of our dreams.

Health improvement

We can also correct oral health problems, in addition to improving certain respiratory and muscular problems. Chewing problems are also improved, thus facilitating the proper digestion of food.

Improved pronunciation

Some occlusion problems can lead to difficulties in articulating certain sounds. Thanks to orthodontics, many people have been able to pronounce certain sounds that they were not capable of before. Or, on the other hand, they’ve also managed to get rid of unwanted sounds like a lisp.

Prepares the mouth for subsequent dental treatments

 For example, there are certain cases, like with dental implants, that require orthodontics to create spaces for their placement.

Orthodontics for adults over 50

Adults over the age of 50 may also need orthodontic treatment. However, there are certain cases of orthodontic problems in adults in which it is not advisable to start treatment, such as in those patients suffering from periodontitis, osteoporosis, impacted teeth or certain conditions related to the bite. In any case, the orthodontist will be responsible for evaluating oral health and decide whether the patient should start treatment. It is important to note, however, that most cases are eligible for orthodontic treatment. The use of orthodontics in people over 50 is not only important for aesthetic reasons, but treating certain problems with orthodontics could help improve oral hygiene, which only becomes more important with age.

The average cost of orthodontics and braces for adults

It’s important to take into account that prices can vary due to several factors: the degree of complexity of the case, the type of device chosen, or the specific orthodontist.

If you want to know more about the average cost of each type of orthodontic device for adults, you should check out our articles on the price of orthodontics and the cost of braces, both of which apply to adults.

Impress clear aligners: an alternative to braces for adults

At Impress we want to help you achieve a healthy and aligned smile by offering you a quality service that adapts to your lifestyle. So we specialise in invisible orthodontics, and use teeth aligners to treat adults and teens.

Before you start your invisible orthodontic treatment, you’ll need to visit one of our clinics for an initial face-to-face consultation. During this visit, we’ll perform an intraoral panoramic X-ray to detect any pathologies that might require prior work. This’ll be followed by a conventional dental examination and 3D scan. With these results, you’ll learn exactly how long your treatment will last and you’ll get to see what your final smile will look like before starting.

At Impress we offer different treatments with fixed all-inclusive prices. If you want to align your teeth with the best professionals, get in touch with us. We will inform you about our orthodontic treatments at your nearest Impress clinic.

You can book an appointment through our website, by phone or WhatsApp at +44 20 3808 1072. Reach out to us for a first consultation and find out how our alternative to braces for adults can improve your smile.