Fix Your Smile: How Old Is Too Old for Braces?
It’s never too late to get braces. In fact, of the 4 million-plus people in the U.S. with brace, 25% are adults. Whether you want to fix crooked teeth or align your jaw, worrying about how old is too old for brace is pointless.
If you are interested in having brace as an adult, keep reading.
Types of Braces for Adults
There are five main brace available. Each type comes with its own benefits and potential drawbacks. The first step in your orthodontic journey is to figure out which type is best for you.
Metal Braces
This type is the most common, especially for children and adolescent patients. Brace get applied to the teeth and connected with a wire that gets tied through elastic.
This type is popular with younger patients because they pick the color of their elastics.
Self-Ligating Braces
Like the above types, self-ligating brace can be metal or ceramic and rely on brackets and a wire to move the teeth.
This type uses doors or clips to hold the wires in place instead of elastics. They are best for patients who are sensitive to pain, do not want long appointments, and have developmental delays.
Lingual Braces
Rather than the braces on the front of the teeth, lingual brace are behind the teeth. This variety is the most specialized and least common type available. Since they go behind your teeth, it is not uncommon to experience changes to your speech or have tongue irritation.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces work the same as metal braces but are less noticeable since they get made with clear, tooth-colored material. This type is best for people who do not want lingual brace. It’s important to note that they are larger than metal braces.
Clear Aligners
This type of brace has grown in popularity since its start in the early 2000s. They are transparent, removable, faster, and need fewer appointments.
This clear aligner therapy shapes the aligner to the patient’s teeth. Teeth move by the gradual application of pressure that stimulates tooth movement.
How Old Is Too Old for Braces
While the best age to get brace is often said to be between 8 and 14, that does not mean that anyone is too old; the American Association of Orthodontists estimates that 27% of all U.S. and Canadian patients are above 18 years old.
Some of the benefits of getting braces as an adult include:
- more options than traditional brace
- improved oral health
- increase confidence
Another benefit is that braces can be more accessible as an adult. The average adult spends around $6,000 on braces so getting them as an adult when you have a job and/or insurance makes it a more accessible option.
Get Your Perfect Smile Today
If you ever find yourself questioning how old is too old for brace, remember age is but a number and your perfect smile is right around the corner.
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