BRACES FOR ADULTS

Get It ‘Straight’ | Adults Need Braces Too. You are never too old to benefit from orthodontic treatment. Today, adults make up about 30% of orthodontic patients. Here’s why:

Looking Good: Orthodontic treatment can help correct crooked teeth or spaces that you’ve been self-conscious about for years. It can give you the confidence and pride that come with straight teeth and a great smile.

Maintaining Dental Health: Leaving misaligned teeth untreated may lead to other dental problems such as tooth decay, tooth loss,  and gum disease. Other problems include the abnormal wearing of tooth surfaces and difficulty in chewing. Orthodontic treatment can help you keep good oral health.

• Can help prevent or improve periodontal problems
• Can help prevent or reduce further bone loss around teeth
• Improves ability of the dentist to restore missing teeth
• Improves aesthetics for a better smile and facial appearance
• Improves function of teeth
• Improves self-confidence and self-esteem
• Improves oral health

Yes. Healthy teeth can be moved at any age. Many orthodontic problems can be corrected as easily for adults as for children. Orthodontic devices move teeth the same way for both adults and children.

However, the major difference between child and adult orthodontic treatment is that adult bones are no longer growing. This means that it may take a little longer for adult teeth to move into their correct position.

Many options are available today to minimize the appearance of braces. Today’s braces are smaller and sleeker, and some are next to invisible. Adolescents and adults have more choices than ever in creating a beautiful smile. From traditional braces to clear orthodontic alternatives, the number of effective and cosmetically pleasing treatment options is growing all the time.

If you are in good overall health but have crooked teeth, we recommend that you schedule a consultation with one of our orthodontists.

During your consultation, your orthodontist at Snodgrass-King can determine if you will benefit from orthodontic treatment. You may be a good fit for braces if you have one or more of the following conditions:

• Crossbite
• Underbite
• Overbite
• Overcrowded Teeth
• Generally Crooked Teeth

These common bite problems are mostly influenced by your genetics and how your jaw develops. If you have a small jaw, your teeth are more likely to crowd and become crooked, especially after you lose your primary teeth. Other problems come from the size and shape of your mouth. Your dentist may use x-rays to identify any additional problems.

DO CHILDHOOD HABITS CAUSE CROOKED TEETH?

Still more causes for crooked teeth are myofunctional habits. Specifically, these habits include tongue thrusting, reverse swallowing, thumb sucking, and mouth breathing. These habits put pressure on baby teeth and gums during childhood. If not corrected, they will cause more problems.

Even if corrected, these habits can hinder healthy dental development. If you have a history of any of these habits, you may be a good candidate for adult braces.

After carefully analyzing the nature of your needed correction, your orthodontist will recommend the best course of treatment for improving your smile.

Investing in your dental health and aesthetics is a big deal. The cost for adult braces ranges from $3000 to around $7000. Part of the cost depends on the intensity of your treatment. 

If you can obtain dental insurance that covers orthodontics for adults, you can significantly reduce your costs. In fact, we work with many insurance providers to give you the best value for your orthodontic treatment.

There are many kinds of dental plans available. Most businesses usually offer dental coverage for their employees. Dental plans usually provide coverage for braces if they are needed for more than cosmetic reasons. That is to say, most insurance companies will not cover braces if they are for purely cosmetic reasons.

If you’re considering braces as an adult, come visit with one of our orthodontists. We have several providers throughout the Nashville Area, so just give us a call, set up a consultation, and we’ll see you soon!