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When do braces make sense for adults?
by Claudia Galler
written on December 14th, 2015
Adults also benefit from braces (© av88 – fotolia) Many adults now wear braces for a radiant smile with flawless teeth. In this health tip, the jameda health editorial office explains the options for tooth correction for people beyond the teenage age.
Aesthetic and medical reasons for braces
For aesthetic reasons, adults very often opt for tooth correction using braces. However, teeth and jaw misalignments that lead to health problems can also be remedied with a brace. These include e.g. B. teeth that are too close, which promote caries through poor hygiene options. Missed bites are also treated, which can lead to massive wear of the teeth, gum disease, difficulty swallowing or headache and neck pain. Individual tilted teeth can also be straightened by a clip, in order to then adapt a denture, for example.
Braces in adulthood: you should know that
The treatment of crooked teeth in adults usually takes a little longer than in adolescents, because the growth spurt of puberty can no longer be used. Depending on the extent of the malposition, the treatment takes 6 months to four years, followed by the wearing of a retainer, which prevents the teeth from shifting. Teeth correction in older people can be more difficult, since there are often disorders in the mouth and jaw area such as gum recession, loose teeth, periodontitis or tooth loss. The treatment costs, depending on the method, amount to several thousand euros, as a rule the health insurance companies do not pay them for adults. Like teenagers, adults also often experience unpleasant side effects of the braces: pulling in the jaw and pain occur, the gums are irritated and sensitive to pressure. Sufferers have to bring time to attend the orthodontist’s regular appointments and need patience until the teeth line up perfectly.
Very popular: colorless brackets, hidden brackets and transparent rails
Fixed braces consist of small brackets that are attached directly to the teeth with plastic adhesive. They are connected with a wire arch that, often combined with rubber rings, exerts the necessary pressure or tension for tooth correction. The brackets can be placed on the outside of the teeth, in addition to metal-colored material there are also white and transparent brackets that are less noticeable. With the lingual technique, the brackets are attached to the inside of the teeth towards the tongue so that they are not visible from the outside. This is an aesthetically very elegant solution, but the patient must first get used to the smaller space for the tongue and irritation when speaking. Clear plastic splints are available on loose braces. These clear aligners are worn day and night and manufactured every 2-3 weeks. When treatment with the brace is complete, the orthodontist uses a retainer to hold the teeth in the new position. There are loose splints that are only worn at night and solid, more efficient retainers that are firmly anchored to the inside of the teeth.
When is it not possible to correct teeth with a brace??
Adults can wear braces into old age. This requires intact dental and oral health. For example, a tooth correction using a brace is not possible if periodontitis is present, teeth are loose or too many teeth are missing. These faults must first be remedied before a tooth correction can be done using braces.
More information about braces can be found here.
This article is for general information only, not for self-diagnosis, and is not a substitute for a doctor’s visit. It reflects the opinion of the author and not necessarily that of jameda GmbH.
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