Adults in Braces
Adults getting braces
Adults are embracing orthodontia like never before.
In a survey by the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) there was a rate of people over 18 with braces grew 14 percent from 2010 to 2012. That brought the number of adults with braces in the United States and Canada to over a million.
“We’re more concerned about our appearance and we’re more concerned about
keeping our teeth,” says DeWayne McCamish, DDS, MS, AAO president.
Types of braces
Adults getting braces today have far more options than in the past. The choices can be daunting. We here at Fast Braces® Fresno can streamline the process of choosing with a complementary consultation. We know that having choices that are fast & economical allows our patients to get the smile and healthy mouth they desire and deserve.
There are many ‘out of date’ orthodontic treatments offered, which include:
Conventional braces
Decades ago, braces consisted of a metal band around every or almost every tooth. Today, conventional braces hold wires with just a single bracket cemented on the front of the tooth. A few bands in the back anchor the wires.
A second option for conventional braces switches out metal for clear or tooth-colored brackets. It is some office’s practice have experimented with white-colored wires, but the pigment wore off quickly.
Treatment time is long and often painful with conventional braces. Often taking 2 or more years wearing braces. We have had patients of all ages come in after wearing traditional braces for 5 years. Not only do young adults in school think this timetable is too long, adults over 18 in the work force, know it is longer than they are willing to be in braces.
Clear Aligners
Aligners are clear trays that are switched out every two weeks to accommodate the movement of teeth. They remain in the mouth for 20 to 22 hours per day, removed just long enough for meals and cleaning your teeth.
Aligners are less conspicuous, but they’re still not completely invisible. They don’t affect how you brush and floss your teeth (unlike other types of braces).
However, aligners require the discipline to keep them in every possible moment and to switch out the trays on schedule. Shirking this responsibility sometimes means that treatment with aligners may take even longer than with conventional options.
Invisible aligners are ideal for some types of mild to moderate corrections, but if you have severe orthodontic issues, you’ll likely need to opt for a system with brackets. Should it be determined that you are a candidate for clear aligners, we proudly offer the Smile Direct method. We believe it is the best choice in aligner technology
Self-ligating braces
In self-ligating braces, the wire passes through a small metal clip on the bracket. The system eliminates the need for elastic bands to help move the teeth.
Lingual braces
Lingual braces are similar to conventional braces, except the brackets are cemented to the back side of tooth.
Lingual braces are virtually invisible, however, work as slowly as conventional braces. These brackets are custom-made and typically cost much more than other options.
FASTBRACES®
These are new technologies brackets that move the teeth faster and more efficiently than traditional braces. This system is even proven to grow bone while your teeth are moving. The process is a fraction of the time of old school brackets.
Follow-up to all orthodontic treatment.
Regardless of the type of appliance, your doctor, you will need to wear a retainer after treatment is complete. You might need to wear them all of the day for a short time, but the majority of our patients only need to wear them while they sleep.
Are there braces that work faster?
Absolutely there are!! We work with cutting-edge technology using Fast Braces®. Not only is our average time for patient treatment 6 – 9 months but can correct all sorts of orthodontic issues that some offices won’t even try to help with. Look through our patient book to see just a few of our cases. Our ‘Beautiful Smiles’ page offers even more information and testimonials of our patients not only getting the smile they have always dreamed of, but also the healthy mouth they need to keep their teeth for the rest of their lives.
How much do braces cost?
The cost of orthodontia varies greatly depending on the initial condition, severity of issues, and other health conditions you may have, as well as the type of device used. At Fast Braces® Fresno we are making braces affordable for everyone. Our logo slogan says it all… Half the time – Half the cost!! Our average patient is only in FASTBRACES® for 6-9 months. This is far less than ‘Half the time’ of most systems offered.
Managing your treatment
A typical course of traditional orthodontic care takes about 2 years, depending on severity of the problem and the type of appliance chosen. Though the length of treatment with aligners really depends on wearing the device faithfully and depends on each individual case.
Dr. Tom at Fast Braces® Fresno will take a complete medical history before starting orthodontia care.
The takeaway
The popularity of braces among adults is growing and showing no signs of slowing down. Technology offers choices for a variety of lifestyles and strategies for completing treatment quickly and effectively. Come in and see us for your free consultation and see what is right for you!
