Before, when we thought about braces, we only thought about the kind that children used to wear. However, thankfully to the advancements of modern-day dentistry, they have become a treatment for every age.
If you have misaligned teeth that you want to straighten, and you’re considering having braces, there are a few things you need to thing about before you start your journey.
Braces require time
It requires some time in order for braces to straighten your teeth. Now depending on the current state (before you get them) of your teeth, your bite and overall oral health, this might take from a few months up to a few years. There’s no predetermined timeframe that will fit every single patient. Everyone’s smile is different and some might require little work, while other will require a lot more.
Another factor that impacts the treatment time is what type you get. There are many and some straighten teeth quicker than others.
When you decide to get braces, during your consultation with an orthodontist, you can receive an estimate on how long it will take to complete the treatment.
Is age an obstacle for braces?
You might be wondering whether you’re too old for this type of orthodontic treatment.
The majority of dentists recommend that children around age 8 should see an orthodontist and if necessary, to start wearing braces. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t visit it yourself when you’re older. Whether your younger or older, you can still benefit from them.
Braces are mostly recommended to children because their teeth are easier to move as they are still forming. This only means that for adults it might take a bit more time.
But, when you’re older, the good thing about them is that you have much more options to chose from.
Appearance
The age when braces meant “train tracks” and metal brackets on your teeth is long gone. Thanks to the evolution of orthodontics, there are a many, more aesthetically pleasing options and alternatives. You can still get the metal ones though, if you want to. Aside from those, you can also choose between:
- Ceramic braces
- Lingual braces and
- Invisalign
Cost of treatment
This is one of the most important factors for someone who has decided to have braces. The budget.
The cost of having them varies and it all depends on what kind you get, how long is the treatment, maintenance etc.
At first the cost of some braces might seem expensive, but you could find a 0% finance plan. Furthermore, thing of this as an investment because with aligned teeth, you have a lower risk of developing future oral health problems (tooth cracks, poor hygiene, tooth loss etc.)
Maintenance of braces
Orthodontic treatments that focus on straightening your smile require commitment and that you look after your oral health.
This means that if you want your braces to successfully straighten your teeth, you will need to take good care of them, brush twice a day and keep them in good shape. As a result, you will not only have perfectly aligned teeth, but you will also develop healthy oral hygiene habits (if you haven’t done before).
These are the most important things you need to pay attention to if you wish to have braces. To learn more about your options, the pros and cons of each and to see which one would be the right one for you, make sure to contact us and schedule an appoint.
