4 Reasons To Get Braces As An Adult

If you never had braces as a child--or if you did, but your smile still bothers you--adult braces may be a great option. Adult braces can straighten your teeth and fix problems with your bite, giving you a smile you're proud to show off. Here are four reasons to consider getting braces as an adult:

Adult Braces are Unobtrusive

Braces technology has come a long way in recent years. If you were worried as a child or teen that you would feel awkward with a mouth full of metal, you may be pleasantly surprised by how unobtrusive and subtle adult braces can be. Depending on your orthodontic needs, you may even be able to use clear braces, which are not very noticeable.

Adults Take Better Care of Their Braces

Wearing braces does come with some maintenance, including special teeth cleaning instructions and possibly wearing a retainer for a while after your braces come off. Adults tend to be more responsible and detail-oriented than children, which means you may get better results with fewer problems as an adult with braces than if you had gotten braces as a child.

You Can Pay for Your Adult Braces Yourself

As a child, getting braces often depends on your parents' budget and financial situation, but as an adult you are in more control. Your dental insurance may cover the cost of your adult braces, and if not, you may be able to work out a payment plan with your orthodontist to make getting adult braces more manageable.

Adult Braces Can Fix Teeth That Have Shifted

Teeth can shift over time as a result of age or after an injury, resulting in overcrowding or bite issues that weren't problems when you were younger. In other cases, perhaps you wore braces as a child but didn't follow up with wearing a retainer, which resulted in your teeth shifting back to where they were before you got braces in the first place. In these cases, adult braces are usually the best option for correcting the problem and restoring your straight smile.

Adult braces can give you the smile you've always wanted and seriously boost your self esteem. To determine if adult braces are right for you and go over the various types of adult braces, it's a good idea to start with a consultation appointment with your dentist, who can then refer you to an experienced orthodontist. Click here to learn more about braces for adults.