by Lola May Thomas

Created on: November 17, 2010

Getting braces when you are an adult can be a daunting prospect. Whilst society readily accepts the sight of adolescents wearing braces, seeing adults with braces is still a more unusual occurrence. For this reason many adults are more nervous about the prospect of wearing braces than younger people might be.

There are numerous reasons why an adult might need braces, the most common being that they did not have access to orthodontic treatment as a child. Many previously treated patients also have teeth that have relapsed due to them neglecting to wear their retainers as specified, which means that treatment needs to be repeated as an adult. There is also a section of patients who experience mouth and jaw problems and orthodontics can be a solution in helping them overcome this.

In recent years there have been developments in orthodontics that mean that there are now far more aesthetically appealing options for adults considering braces. Whereas in the past traditional metal braces were often the only available option there are now numerous alternatives that are not nearly as visible. Ceramic braces with clear or tooth coloured brackets are one option, as are lingual braces; braces which are fitted to the back of teeth.

In addition there are now a new generation of invisible or clear braces, the most well known of which is Invisalign. Invisalign braces are made of a clear, medical type of plastic and are custom made from a mould of the patient’s teeth. Although they are not completely invisible, at a social distance they are virtually undetectable.

The benefit of braces such as Invisalign over traditional metal braces is that they are removable. This means that they can be removed for short periods for important social situations such as a job interview.

Although wearing braces as an adult can cause some temporary social discomfort the long term benefits of orthodontic treatment generally far outweigh this period of embarrassment. Many patients who have experienced years of self consciousness about their teeth find that they have a new found confidence and improved social abilities after treatment. Teeth are so closely related to attractiveness that many patients also report that they are treated differently by members of the opposite sex after treatment.

Another benefit of treatment as an adult is the greater compliance with treatment that adults generally show when compared with adolescents. Whether it is improved oral hygiene with fixed braces, or better compliance in actually wearing removable braces, adult treatment is often more successful when compared with adolescent treatment where compliance is an issue.

Overall, the vast majority of patients who wear braces as an adult find that the experience successful and worth both the effort and cost involved.

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