Adult Braces - What you need to know?

When they see you, that's how they judge you, this saying has been known for a long time. There is some disagreement as to how much truth there is and how correct this approach is, but one thing is for sure - in some aspects impeccable appearance is important. Besides, everyone would like to feel good about themselves. And one of the most common complexes is a crooked bite. How to deal with it, is orthodontic braces a good solution?

Neither fast nor cheap

At the very beginning, it must be made clear that a comprehensive approach to rectifying malocclusion is neither a quick nor a cheap process.

Therefore, it often happens that adults can afford it - not all parents can afford to put braces on a child. Fortunately, in the case of malocclusion, age is not a limitation, as long as our skeletal system is in the right condition. After all, the teeth sit in the bones, and we are going to move them, so our entire jaw system will have to adapt to the changes taking place.

Many people associate orthodontic appliances with unsightly wires and braces on the teeth. However, this is a thing of the past. Currently, there are many options for straightening malocclusions, and the appropriate method should be adjusted to several factors. The main one is, of course, the type of defect we want to remove. Another is our financial capacity, the time we can devote to the entire process and the question of whether we want no one to know about the fact of using an orthodontic appliance. Of course, each solution has its pros and cons.

Ligature apparatus

It is the basic and classic type of orthodontic appliance with both brackets and ligatures and arches. Metal brackets are glued to the teeth with a special glue, stabilized and connected with a metal wire, which in some versions may be transparent. It is this wire that exerts pressure on the teeth, which causes them to gradually move in the right direction.

This type of apparatus unfortunately exposes the patient to mouth injuries, detachment of the zipper or wire breakage. Regardless of the wire used, the treatment process is similar and includes an appointment with the orthodontist approximately every four to six weeks. The entire treatment takes about two years.

The ligature apparatus is applicable to most malocclusions and is relatively inexpensive. One arc of the apparatus, depending on the wire used, costs between 2.5 and 3.5 thousand. dollars.

Invisalign Aligners

Calling Invisalign an orthodontic appliance is a slight understatement. In fact, it is not a fixed or removable apparatus with wires. Invisalign stands for a system of dental trays, specially developed for each patient, which are replaced approximately every two weeks. Each subsequent set of aligners differs from the previous one, which translates into the effect of tooth displacement.

The unquestionable advantage of Invisalign is its discreetness. The aligners are made of transparent silicone, which makes them practically invisible. Invisalign is also aimed at people who do not want to visit the orthodontist too often - in this case, follow-up visits are less frequent than in the case of classic braces.

Unfortunately, the Invisalign system also has its drawbacks. It can only be used to treat certain malocclusions, such as diastema or crowding. Treatment of other defects with this system may require support with an ordinary apparatus. In addition, when choosing this method of treatment, you should expect higher costs. Depending on the scale of the defect, treatment lasts from 10 months to 2 years, and its total cost, including subsequent overlays and visits, is from 4 to 6 thousand dollars.

Lingual and self ligating braces

Among the solutions offered by orthodontists there are also, for example, lingual braces. The time of treatment with this apparatus, depending on the defect, ranges from half a year to 2.5 years. This is the most discreet option, as the brackets are mounted to the teeth from the back, on the tongue side. The cost of assembling such a device, depending on the defect and the locks used, ranges from 4 to 8 thousand dollars. The cost of follow-up visits should also be added to this amount.

In turn, non-ligature braces, as the name suggests, are devoid of ligatures, i.e. rubber connections between the brackets. The use of such a solution reduces the pressure and friction between the teeth, which shortens the treatment time and reduces the frequency of follow-up visits.

Another advantage of this system is the possibility of shortening the treatment. On average, the entire process is even half a year shorter than with a traditional metal braces. The downside may be costs. Depending on the malocclusion or the brackets used, the cost of one arch of the appliance ranges from 2 to 3.5 thousand USD, and follow-up visits should be added to the total cost of treatment.

Modern technology offers many options for the treatment of malocclusion, so that virtually everyone should find a solution that is right for them. We can choose overlays, fixed or removable braces or fixed appliances that are invisible because they are mounted on the back. However, this does not change the fact that the basis for effective treatment is that the entire process is carried out by professionals and it is not worth saving on it.