Many people get braces as teenagers. It’s almost a rite of passage. Those who don’t can suffer from bite problems for years — problems that get worse over time. Can adults get braces? The answer is a resounding YES! 

More than a quarter of today’s orthodontic patients are adults. Orthodontic treatment for adults has improved in the last few years, particularly with clear aligners and clear ceramic braces. 

Both options, along with lingual braces, allow adults to get treatment that is far less noticeable than the traditional metal braces they remember as teenagers. Hentscher-Johnson Orthodontics offers all these options!

Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than ever before. Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. With metal braces, you have the option of adding colored elastics (rubber bands) for a more unique and colorful smile.

Can Adults Get Braces?

You may think braces are only for kids, but that isn’t true. The American Association of Orthodontics calculates that 27 percent of braces patients in the United States and Canada are adults. 

Adults get braces for many reasons. Most want straighter, better-looking teeth. Braces can also help with other issues, from jaw pain and headaches to accelerated tooth wear and tooth decay. Straighter teeth are easier to clean and keep healthy, giving adults a better chance of keeping their own teeth throughout their lifetime.

Do Braces Take Longer for Adults? 

Braces and clear aligners may take longer for adults than children, and it all comes down to the anatomy of teeth movement. 

Braces work by applying gentle pressure to move your teeth. Your jaw breaks down, allowing the tooth to move, then builds back up behind the tooth as it moves. Think of it as digging a path for the tooth and filling it in behind it. 

As teenagers, your jaw is still developing and is softer or more malleable. As an adult, your jaw completes development and hardens. Does that mean your teeth can’t move? Definitely not. It just means it takes a little longer to get them moving. 

Once your teeth start moving, your braces or clear aligners will shift them into their proper positions. That means you definitely can wear braces as an adult!

What Types of Braces for Adults Are Available?

Adults can wear the same types of braces and clear aligners that teenagers can wear. That means you have lots of treatment options! 

Clear Braces

Many adults prefer to wear braces that are less visible than metal braces, such as clear braces. These braces have ceramic brackets close to the tooth’s natural color, making them more difficult to see. 

Lingual Braces

Some patients wear lingual braces. These metal braces are placed on the back of the teeth where the tongue is located — hence the name. They are nearly impossible to see but deliver the same great results as traditional metal braces. 

Clear Aligners

For many adult patients, clear aligners are a great alternative to braces. Hentscher-Johnson Orthodontics offers Invisalign and 3M Clarity clear aligners. Both of these removable aligners apply gentle pressure to move the teeth, just as traditional braces do. 

Unlike traditional braces, clear aligners are made of custom-molded acrylic that fits against the teeth and is nearly invisible. They are a great option for adult patients who don’t want that “mouthful of metal” look. However, they may not be ideal for the more severe orthodontic cases.

Metal Braces

For those who don’t mind the metal, metal braces are a tried-and-true method of straightening teeth and improving bite. Today’s braces aren’t the braces you remember from childhood. 

These self-ligating braces have smaller brackets and wires and are more efficient and more comfortable than the braces of the past. They also require fewer office visits than traditional braces. They still provide the same amazing results!

Why Get Orthodontics for Adults?

You may wonder why adults would want to get braces. A bad bite, where the teeth don’t line up properly, can cause excessive tooth wear and be harder to clean, leading to more tooth decay. A bad bite can also cause jaw pain over time, as well as headaches. It can even cause digestive issues because the food isn’t chewed properly before swallowing.

Crooked teeth can also cause self-esteem issues. Do you hate to smile or cover your teeth when you smile? There’s no need for that! Braces for adults can give you a straight smile you’ll be proud to show off, boosting your self-esteem!

Adult Braces in Waterloo, IL & Columbia, IL

There are many great reasons to get braces as adults or other adult orthodontics, such as clear aligners. We can discuss the pros and cons of each type of treatment with you. If you’re looking for orthodontists for adults near Columbia, IL, or Waterloo, IL, schedule an appointment with Hentscher-Johnson Orthodontics. We can show you what braces for adults can do for you!