Jacksonville 904-268-7557
So, let’s say you’re in your thirties, and you’ve just been told you need braces. Wait, what? Can adults get braces? Ossi Orthodontics can tell you exactly how and why that answer is a resounding yes.
Why Do I Need Braces?
There are many potential causes for braces across all age groups, but here are some of the ones you may encounter as an adult patient.
- Aesthetic Concerns: Many of our older patients are concerned with cosmetic issues, motivating them to get braces later in life.
- Health Benefits: The other majority will be addressing actual oral health problems since misalignment can cause discomfort and difficulties maintaining hygiene.
- Bite Problems: This is a fairly universal reason for braces. When overbites or underbites occur, braces are often a necessity to correct them.
- Jaw Issues: Also called TMJ disorders, these can cause jaw pain, headaches, and difficulty with jaw movement. Our treatment can help alleviate these symptoms by correcting alignment.
- Preparation for Restorative Procedures: Sometimes, braces are a preemptive treatment for dental implants or bridges. They will ensure that teeth are properly aligned before proceeding with further action.
- Prevention of Issues: Addressing orthodontic issues as an adult isn’t necessarily too late. Some issues need to be addressed no matter what to prevent them from worsening further.
- Career and Social Considerations: In some professions, it may be especially important to maintain a nice smile. Braces can assist patients in achieving this kind of career asset.
- Technological Advances: As time passes, new innovations appear in the medical field, including in orthodontics. Methods like Invisalign offer a more discreet treatment option, which can be appealing. More on this in a moment!
Metal, Ceramic, or Neither
In the vast majority of orthodontic offices, including ours, there are three main routes for treatment. These each have special advantages for our adult patients, which Dr. Ossi will discuss with you in detail.
- Metal braces are traditional, economical, and effective. They are almost always the default choice for children, but adults have a bit more freedom to choose alternatives—depending on their condition.
- Ceramic braces are made of a special material that can closely match the color of your teeth. While they still consist of wires, which are visible, the lack of color makes them a popular choice.
- When you want to eliminate wires and brackets altogether, clear aligners are the ideal option. These clear plastic trays offer near invisibility, which is a great solution for many patients.
FAQs
We’re here to answer all of your questions—and while this list might not cover them all, we hope it’ll address a few.
- How much do braces cost?
- This depends on a lot of factors. Insurance can obviously impact the cost quite a lot, but that will always be discussed on an individual basis. The nature of the appliance is key. You may have partial braces as opposed to a full set. And then, of course, the type of braces or aligners—with clear aligners being the most bespoke version, therefore, the most expensive—will probably be a main consideration in the price. Our team will work with you to try and ensure the best possible payment plan.
- Do they hurt?
- We hear this question from all of our patients! Of course, you have every right to be concerned, especially if you’re going into treatment without much prior research. But discomfort is more common than pain. It takes time to adjust, especially to more permanent appliances, and can cause some abrasion on your gums at times. Being mindful of the foods you consume and the physical activity you partake in can decrease your likelihood of injury or damage.
- Do I have to wear a retainer after having braces as an adult?
- Yep! Retainers apply to everyone who has this manner of treatment. Their job is to retain the results you worked so hard for. These are a long-term commitment, but consistent use avoids any possibility of relapse.
- Am I too old?
- No. There are solutions for all ages in orthodontics. If you have existing issues, like missing teeth, we can still coordinate alignment around additional procedures.
Putting in the Work
Hopefully, this blog helps a bit with the common stigma against adult braces. It is an absolutely normal—and often necessary—facet of oral health. At Ossi Orthodontics, we do this type of work every single day, and you can trust us to get you the results you want! Please reach out to either of our Florida offices for more information: Jacksonville (904-560-6279) or St. Augustine (904-780-5721).