A guide to getting braces at any age
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So you want straighter teeth?
Braces at any stage of life
While braces are often associated with childhood, achieving a straight smile is possible at any age. This guide outlines the benefits and considerations for orthodontic treatments and getting braces at the different stages of life.
It needn’t and shouldn’t be though – in fact, according to research reports, it is estimated that around 1 million adult patients (people over the age of 18) wear orthodontic braces. Adults represent about 25% of all orthodontic patients, and at our clinic, adults constitute nearly 95% of our brace patients! Find out more adult braces London.
The importance of Dental Health
Straight teeth are more than just cosmetic; they contribute to better oral hygiene and overall health. Misaligned teeth can trap plaque and bacteria, leading to decay and gum disease. This build up of Plaque and bacteria can occur in these hard to reach spots, often leading to decay to your teeth. This is why, when a patient attends a consultation for braces, their orthodontist examines their mouth all kind of different issues. They will ask a lot of questions, but what they are trying to do is build up a comprehensive oral review.
Braces can correct these issues, promoting long-term dental health
As you get older, you will start to lose collagen, this in turn affects the skin and leads to reduced volume and hollowness in the face. But, it also affects the mouth by making your lower teeth more visible with age. Additionally, it can also cause the teeth to move and become loose or crooked. You can consider orthodontic braces treatment if you have one of the following conditions:
- Speech Issues
- Difficulty chewing food
- Bite problems
- If food often gets stuck between the gaps in your teeth
- Swollen Gums
Age Considerations:
- Teens and Early Twenties: This is the ideal time for braces because the jawbone is still growing, allowing for faster tooth movement. Treatment times tend to be shorter compared to adults.
- Thirties and Forties: Adults in this age group can still benefit from braces. Treatment times may be slightly longer, but advancements in orthodontics offer a variety of options to suit your needs and lifestyle.
- Forty-Five and Over: It’s never too late to improve your smile! Teeth can still be moved with braces, and healthy gums are more important than age for successful treatment.
The most influential factor in advising if a braces treatment is suitable will be the condition of your teeth, jaw and oral health and the improvements in oral health that can be achieved via a braces treatment.
Common Braces Options:
- Traditional Metal Braces: The most common and cost-effective option, effective for various orthodontic corrections.
- Clear Ceramic Braces: Less noticeable than metal braces, blending in with tooth color.
- Fastbraces: a new technology that allows teeth alignment to be achieved faster for minor corrections.
- Invisalign: Clear, removable aligners that gradually straighten teeth. A good option for minor misalignment and spacing issues.
(Additional Options):
- Self-ligating Braces: These braces use clips instead of elastics to hold the wires, reducing adjustment appointments and discomfort.
- Clear Aligners (Other than Invisalign): Several brands offer clear aligner options besides Invisalign, each with varying features and benefits.
- Lingual Braces Attached behind the teeth for complete invisibility.
Benefits of Braces for Adults:
- Improved oral health and reduced risk of dental problems.
- Increased confidence and self-esteem through a straighter smile.
- Improved chewing function and speech.
- Wide range of treatment options available to fit your preferences and budget.
How much do adult braces cost?
Cost of adult braces often depends on the type of braces you choose and the duration of the orthodontic treatment. Typically, in London the braces cost as an adult can be between £1,795 to £4,000.
Considering Braces?
If you’re thinking about braces, consult a dentist or orthodontist. They will assess your individual needs and recommend the best course of treatment. With advancements in orthodontics, achieving a healthy, beautiful smile is possible at any age.
Complex cases take longer
Every case is different; however, some orthodontic braces treatments are easier than others. The minimum time to wear brace can be as short as a few months to fix a simple problem such as a crooked tooth or spacing issue to longer as some adults have more complex cases with many problems to treat. Adult patients are very often surprised to find out that braces treatment can not only fix crooked teeth, but also correct related dental issues such as gum and bone loss, abnormal wearing off of enamel, jaw pain, headaches and even tooth decay. Complex cases can take 36 months or longer for all teeth to be in the desired position.
While braces are typically a recommended treatment for children aged 12 years or older, this advised by the NHS on the grounds that by this age adult teeth will have come through. An initial assessment allows orthodontists to identify potential issues early on, like jaw growth discrepancies or severe crowding, and intervene with measures like spacers or palatal expanders if necessary. Early intervention can sometimes prevent the need for full braces later.
*whites dental to not have Child specific Orthodontists and as such we would recommend you utilise our information on our central London dental clinics to assist you in finding a suitable clinic.
Preparing for Braces (Any Age):
- Dental Hygiene: Having healthy teeth and gums is crucial before starting braces. This might involve addressing any existing cavities or gum concerns.
- Commitment: Braces require commitment for regular adjustments and proper cleaning routines to avoid complications.
- Cost and Insurance: Orthodontic treatment can be expensive. Discussing costs and insurance coverage with your orthodontist is important.
Beyond Braces (Retainers):
After your braces are removed, wearing retainers is essential to maintain your new smile. Retainers come in various types (fixed or removable) and should be worn as instructed by your orthodontist.
Remember, this is just a general overview. The best course of action is to arrange you free consultation with our team at Whites Dental or alternative reputable orthodontist for personalised advice on your specific situation. They can assess your needs, advise on preparing for braces and recommend the most suitable braces treatment option, and address any concerns you might have.
Can I Have Orthodontic Braces with Dental Crowns?
A number of our patients have said to us that they have dental crowns from previous dental treatments, but have now decided to straighten their teeth. They are often unsure if they can still have braces despite having dental crowns on their teeth. The simple answer is – yes, you can still have braces even if you have crowns. If you opt for traditional fixed metal braces, the metal brackets will be glued to the crowns with a different type of glue than they would on your natural teeth. A great orthodontic brace option for patients who have existing dental crowns is the Invisalign system. Invisalign is an innovative new teeth straightening technology that does away with traditional brackets and wires. Instead, it uses a series of clear, plastic removable trays (also called aligners) to straighten your teeth. There is no need to bond brackets to your teeth or crown at all as a result. Invisalign is very popular with a large proportion of our adult patients, who prefer the discreet and convenient nature of its clear, removable aligners.q
We should also mention that dental crowns can often also be used on completion of the orthodontic treatment to provide a complete smile makeover for your teeth. For example, once your teeth have been straightened using orthodontic braces, dental crowns can be used to mask the colour or change the shape of that odd tooth you don’t like. Using a combination of orthodontic braces and dental crowns, an experienced cosmetic dentist can provide you a straight, bright, evenly shaped smile.
Do Orthodontic Braces Work With Tooth Fillings?
Tooth decay and tooth fillings are relatively common in adults in London. It is therefore not unusual for someone who has existing tooth fillings to ask for orthodontic brace treatment to straighten their smile. We would go so far as to say, it’s possible that crooked teeth may have been part of the reason why you may be prone to tooth decay and fillings to start with. This is because food can accumulate in the nooks and corners between your teeth and if you have crowded teeth, it can get more difficult to properly clean your teeth. This increases the changes of food remaining trapped between the teeth, thus leading to tooth decay.
If you are looking to start brace treatment, your orthodontist will first conduct a full assessment of your mouth to determine how best to proceed with orthodontic braces and dental fillings. The material used for your fillings shouldn’t have an impact on your brace treatment; however larger fillings may require the use of spacers as part of your orthodontic treatment. Spacers are rubber bands that are placed around a tooth in order to provide space for an orthodontic bracket and bands. Also, any untreated tooth decay or cavities that the orthodontist may spot as part of the assessment of your mouth will need to be filled before your brace treatment can start.Once your brace treatment starts, it’s really important that you maintain good oral hygiene to prevent tooth decay from developing.
You don’t want to develop cavities while wearing your braces. However, if you do end up needing a filling during the course of your treatment, you can still have a filling done by your dentist.However, this is not ideal as it’s often difficult to reach the spot of the cavity as braces are difficult to manoeuvre around. Often a bracket will need to be removed to clean the decay and place a filling in it.
Given this, it’s really important to avoid cavities while undertaking orthodontic brace treatment. Our dentists will be able to provide you advice and guidance on how to maintain oral health and clean your teeth while having braces.
Please visit our homepage for orthodontic braces for more details.
Can I Have Orthodontic Braces With Dental Implants?
If you have a pre-existing dental implant, the implant cannot be moved with orthodontic braces unfortunately. However, if you have a missing tooth, you can have a dental implant placed once your brace treatment is complete. With this approach, your other teeth can first be positioned correctly, and then the dental implant can be positioned in the space left between the straightened teeth. If you have a need for a dental implant, you can discuss this with the orthodontist during the initial assessment – they will be able to provide you with options based on your individual needs.
If you want to make an investment in your smile with orthodontics as an adult, Whites Dental is an excellent choice. You may have approached an NHS dentist and been put off – due to their stringent policies for ‘clinical need’ in order to take on a braces for adults treatment. If you have additional questions about orthodontic braces with fillings, braces with crowns or braces with dental implants, we will be more than happy to arrange a complementary consultation with one of our dentists. Just give us a call or drop us an email and we will get right in touch with you to arrange an appointment.
For more information about Whistes Dental Orthodontists in London you have an extensive resource available at Braces Information.
Looking for an Orthodontist in London?
Whites Dental in London Waterloo offers a variety of orthodontic treatments, including braces and Invisalign. We have experienced dentists to help you achieve your smile goals. Contact us today for a free braces consultation.
We also can offer a private orthodontist for kids, if you are looking for advice and assessments of your child’s need for braces and most appropriate types, treatment, and finance plans.
