There are plenty of adults who would like to have their teeth straightened, and prefer actually realigning their teeth using braces instead of temporary cosmetic measures such as veneers. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontics reports that the number of adults undergoing orthodontic treatment has risen by 24% in the last decade.
However, adult braces do come with some special concerns. If you’re in a high-powered job or trying to project a professional image, traditional braces can make you feel juvenile and damage your confidence. The good news is that there are several options for discreet adult braces that can still be effective:
- Ceramic Braces
These systems are exactly what they sound like. Ceramic braces are sized and shaped just like traditional metal braces, but are made of a ceramic material similar in color to teeth. In order to blend in even more, they are often used with either tooth-colored wires or clear elastic bands. The former option provides faster results, but is slightly more noticeable. It’s important to note that elastic ties will stain if you smoke or drink too much coffee.
- Damon Braces
Damon braces use special brackets and wires that don’t need elastic or metal ties. They also don’t require regular tightening as traditional braces do. The lack of ties is both an aesthetic and health advantage, since it’s easier to keep up a thorough dental hygiene routine throughout treatment. Clear brackets can be chosen to make the system less noticeable, and it can actually work more quickly than traditional braces.
- Invisalign
This is probably the best-known option for so-called invisible braces. Invisalign treatment uses a succession of clear trays to align teeth. For the fastest results, the trays should be worn for between 20 and 22 hours each day, and taken out only for eating and brushing. However, many people also like that they can remove the trays for special events. This removability is also the major downside of Invisalign; Its success rests heavily upon patient compliance. It’s not recommended for people who don’t have the self-discipline to wear them almost all the time (which is one of the reasons they aren’t used on children).
Does one adult braces system appeal to you more than the others? Share what you’re most interested in and join the discussion in the comments.
