Many people aren’t blessed with having perfectly aligned teeth. More than cosmetic concerns, having crooked teeth or misaligned bites may lead to severe oral issues, such as gum disease and speech defects. The best time to address these is during childhood, the time when the facial bones and gum tissues are still developing. However, modern advances in dental technology have allowed adults to seek help for oral difficulties they’ve been dealing with for years.
If you’ve been suffering from an overcrowded smile or a painfully misaligned bite, you should see an orthodontist as soon as possible. Orthodontics is a specialized practice of dentistry that deals with the alignment of teeth and jaws. The most common treatment for such problems is to wear braces. Wearing braces is a simple, temporary solution that offers long-term results. However, for people over 18 years old, there are several factors to consider.
For one, the entire process could take longer. Simple procedures may typically last between six months to a year for children, but this could take up to two years for adults. Because an older person’s bones have stopped growing, surgery may be needed to fix structural problems. Additionally, adults are more prone to developing gum diseases, so the patient may need to consult with another specialist as well.
The good news is that the statistics of people getting their dental issues fixed as adults are encouraging. If you’re considering to wear braces in your 20s, 30s, or 40s, here are your options: