Can Adults Get Braces?

When considering orthodontics, it is important to keep in mind that there are no age-restrictions. When you hear about braces, you may think back to elementary or middle school, when everyone was still developing their permanent teeth and may have required orthodontic treatment to keep them straight. However, braces are not just for children and teenagers; in fact, crooked teeth often affect many adults, and straightening them is just as important. Thanks to modern advancements in dentistry, there are several options for adult patients who would like a more concealable alternative to metal braces, including Invisalign® clear aligners.

Why Adults Should Get Braces

Even after your permanent teeth have fully erupted in good alignment, they can still become crooked or forced out of placed. Malocclusion (the state of crooked teeth) can be the result of an injury, an inconsistency in your jaw’s symmetry, or a habit of clenching and grinding your teeth. If not treated, misaligned teeth can harbor hard-to-reach plaque, increasing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease, or disturb your bite’s balance and place your teeth at risk of damage.

What are the Choices?

Traditional braces, and the ones that most people are familiar with from childhood, consist of metal brackets bonded to a patient’s teeth and connected by arch wires. The wires provide gentle, continuous force to move teeth into more proper positions. By contrast, Invisalign clear braces consist of a series of clear, acrylic aligners that are not only nearly invisible, but also removable for optimal discretion and comfort. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks, then replaced for its successor, which continues to guide your teeth through the prescribed path of movement. If you suffer from mild to moderate malocclusion and prefer not to wear metal braces, if you can avoid them, then speak with Dr. Loukas about the possibility of Invisalign clear braces.

About Loukas Dentistry

Dr. Maria and Dr. Thanasi Loukas strive to educate their patients on preventive dentistry practices to improve oral health. Our doctors at Loukas General Dentistry draw upon years of extensive training and hands-on experience to provide superb restorative, preventive, and cosmetic dentistry in Park Ridge. They proudly treat patients from Park Ridge and the surrounding Chicago communities. To schedule a consultation, please call (847) 696-1919.