Braces - adults
Valeria Dahm is a freelance writer in the medical department. She studied medicine at the Technical University of Munich. It is particularly important to her to give the curious reader an insight into the exciting subject area of medicine and at the same time to maintain the content.
More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.The growth of teeth and jaws in childhood is the best basis for successful treatment with braces. But adults can still benefit from therapy. Read all about braces for adults, when to use them and what to watch out for.
Braces for adults: what is possible
Braces for adults can remove misaligned teeth and, to a lesser extent, jaw anomalies. However, the treatment is age-dependent and takes longer if you start braces treatment at the age of 30 years or older than if you start treatment with braces at the age of 20. Because the teeth are hardly moved by the influence of the braces on growth, but rather by the pressure that causes bone loss and build-up. However, adults of all ages benefit from braces as they straighten their teeth without costly operations.
Braces for adults: reasons for treatment
Braces for adults are mostly used to improve dental aesthetics and harmonize the face, especially by correcting the front incisors. Tooth misalignments can result from neglected treatment in childhood or occur over time. Examples:
- Breakthrough of the wisdom teeth
- premature tooth loss - other teeth can grow into the gap or tip over
- Tooth migration due to inflammation of the tooth bed (periodontitis)
- Tooth migration due to incorrect loads such as teeth grinding
- Misaligned teeth since childhood
Braces for adults: models
As with children, both fixed and loose braces can help adults keep their teeth straight. However, adults in particular make sure that the braces are as inconspicuous as possible. With fixed braces, this is achieved either with white ceramic brackets and tooth-colored arches or with incognito braces that are glued to the inside of the teeth. If the misaligned teeth are only weakly pronounced, loose braces or clear aligners can also suffice. The latter, like the Incognito braces, are among the "invisible" braces.
Braces for adults: what do you have to consider?
Since the teeth can already be weakened with age, the treatment must be adapted accordingly. If the teeth are weakened by inflammation of the gums (gingivitis), caries or premature bone loss, they must be supported with special screws.
Consistent dental hygiene is important to avoid tooth decay. At the beginning and when readjusting the braces treatment during the check-ups, pain or a feeling of pressure may arise. Speaking, chewing and swallowing is also unusual in the beginning with braces. Adults should also quit smoking as a rule, as it increases the risk of bone loss again.
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