Even though orthodontic care is typically associated with children and teenagers, they are not the only ones who can benefit from alignment therapy—adults can, too! At Icon Orthodontics, we are happy to say that we can provide care to the whole family with no maximum age limit! We have plenty of treatment options available. To discover the best type of braces for adults, keep reading!
Why Would An Adult Seek Treatment?
There are many reasons why an adult would desire orthodontic care, many of which are the same for a teen or child!
Malocclusion (misaligned teeth) can make it difficult to perform oral hygiene, leading to tooth decay, tooth sensitivity, gum disease, infections, and tooth loss! An aligned bite has fewer hard-to-reach places so that the mouth can feel and be cleaner, and it prevents friction that can wear down the enamel.
Your ability to bite and chew effectively without pain is essential to your digestive system. If you cannot chew food small enough, you are more likely to choke, not absorb enough nutrients, and experience digestive issues if food gets stuck in the digestive tract.
Crooked teeth negatively impact your mental well-being and lifestyle! Not liking what you see in the mirror or feeling different than your peers can decrease your self-esteem and lead to anxiety, isolation, and depression. It can even affect your ability to get a job after an in-person interview, make friends, and get second dates, which can also reduce your mental health.
Orthodontic care is meant to last a lifetime, but sometimes life has other plans for our patients. And that’s okay because retreatment is always an option for adults, too!
In short, orthodontic treatment can improve your mental, physical, and oral health, regardless of age!
Does Icon Orthodontics Offer Treatment For Adults?
Yes, we do! We have a few treatment types that are all great for adult patients! Which one is best for you depends on your lifestyle, orthodontic needs, and if you want an active role in your care, but we’ll get to that in a moment. First, let’s go over what the different treatment choices are.
Damon Metal Braces
Though we will refer to these as the traditional option, these metal braces are hardly like what your grandma and grandpa would have used. Thanks to modern technology, Damon braces are stronger and more comfortable than other metal braces while still quickly producing fantastic smiles.
Damon metal braces use brackets, wires, and ligatures (the elastics that hold the wire to the bracket) to straighten the teeth. Their durability, compatibility with accessories, and the control they provide Dr. Sarpotdar and Dr. Sun make them perfect for patients with orthodontic needs ranging from mild to complex!
Metal braces are fixed appliances, which means they can only be removed by one of our talented orthodontists. If you are a fixed braces patient, you must adjust your diet and oral hygiene routine to ensure the well-being of your appliances and oral health.
Damon Clear Braces
Clear braces are very similar to metal braces. This fixed appliance also uses brackets, ligatures, and wires to adjust the teeth by applying pressure. They are also compatible with orthodontic accessories to help with jaw and teeth placement and can improve even complex malocclusion. The difference between clear and metal braces is the materials that they use! Instead of metal brackets and colorful ligatures, clear braces use brackets made of a tooth-colored ceramic blend and matching elastics to create the illusion of “clear” braces. Damon brackets are stain resistant and, with proper care, are unlikely to change during treatment. The ligatures, however, could become discolored, but since they are changed every few weeks, we urge patients not to worry about it.
Though not as fragile as the word “ceramic” might suggest, clear braces are not as durable as their metal predecessor. Because they require a little more care, we recommend clear braces to adult patients who do not qualify or want clear aligners with cosmetic concerns about pursuing treatment.
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners that straighten the teeth by applying pressure, much like braces! But unlike fixed braces, clear aligners are removable, transparent, and custom-designed based on a 3D scan of your mouth! At Icon Orthodontics, we offer Invisalign, Spark, U-Lab, and our line that we 3D-print in-office! No matter which brand option you choose, you will not be required to change your diet or oral hygiene routine! You just have to remember to clean the trays daily and advance to the next one in the series after two weeks.
While clear aligners give patients more freedom in their lifestyle, the option requires patients to be more active in their treatment. You are responsible for wearing and keeping track of the aligners and following the treatment schedule Dr. Sarpotdar or Dr. Sun prescribed!
This treatment option is best for adults with mild to medium alignment needs who know they can handle the responsibility.
InBrace Hidden Braces
If you want your treatment to be even more subtle than clear braces or aligners, consider InBrace Hidden Braces! This treatment option provides patients the most privacy and freedom thanks to its unique placement and shape of the wire. InBrace Hidden Braces are fixed behind the teeth, so you don’t have to worry about remembering to wear them or changing your eating habits and oral hygiene. That’s right—your lifestyle stays pretty much the same with InBrace!
We recommend Inbrace Hidden Braces to busy patients who prefer to spend less time in the office and more time living their life to the fullest! They are ideal for mild to medium alignment needs and cosmetic concerns.
Things To Consider When Picking Between Options
If you qualify for more than one of the above choices, it can be challenging to narrow it down to the one that is best for you. When choosing, you should consider the following:
- Would you prefer if your braces are fixed or removable?
- Can you handle the responsibility of removable braces?
- Can you adjust your diet and oral hygiene routine to accommodate fixed braces?
- Do you want your braces to be less noticeable to others?
- Do you need a heavy-duty option?
- Would you like the treatment to be finished as soon as possible?
For the most beneficial and pleasant experience, carefully research your qualifiable options and realistically think about applying them to your lifestyle.
Let Icon Orthodontics Help You Achieve Your Smile Goals!
Whether you are a new or returning patient, Icon Orthodontics has everything necessary to give you beautiful, functional results and an enjoyable experience! Our top-notch customer service and personalized treatment plans will ensure you have fun and see progress every step of the way.
To get started, schedule a free consultation with us virtually or at our Glendale or Surprise offices!