Am I Too Old for Braces?
Did you know that one in every four orthodontic patients is an adult? With advancements in orthodontic technology, straightening your smile is more comfortable and convenient than ever, with more options for adult orthodontic treatment. At Diamond Plus Orthodontics, there is no age limit on achieving the smile of your dreams – you are never too old for braces!
Why Do Adults Get Braces?
There are many reasons why an adult wants to straighten their smile. Some patients had braces as a child but lapsed in wearing their retainer, causing their teeth to shift over time. Other patients may not have had the opportunity for braces as a child but can now afford it as an adult. Patients might also seek adult braces to boost confidence and share their smile proudly. Whatever the reason, it’s never too late to start your journey to a straight, healthy smile!
What's Different About Adult Braces?
Braces treatment is the same whether you’re a child, teen, or adult. Your experienced Chicago orthodontist uses a 3D scanner to create a digital map of your smile and designs a custom treatment plan to fit your goals and budget.
The difference between orthodontic treatment as a child and as an adult is the rate at which the smile shifts. Children’s and teens’ mouths are still growing, making their jaws more malleable. Adult mouths are fully formed, so treatment may take a little longer, depending on complexity.
Types of Braces for Adults
There are several adult braces options, and your orthodontist can help determine which option is right for you.
Traditional Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces adjust your smile with stainless steel brackets and wires. Traditional braces allow you to choose colorful elastic ties to show your personality during treatment!
Traditional metal braces require less at-home maintenance than other treatment options. However, they have food restrictions, requiring patients to avoid anything too hard, chewy, or crunchy. Progress appointments are needed every 4-8 weeks.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces function like metal braces, but the ceramic brackets are tooth-colored. This option is great for adult patients who want to straighten their smile without unwanted attention!
Ceramic braces are more fragile than metal braces, so avoiding damaging foods is extra important. Ceramic is also prone to staining, so patients must avoid dark beverages such as cola, red wine, and coffee.
Invisalign
Invisalign is different from braces but is one of the most popular options for adult orthodontic treatment. Invisalign is a series of clear, removable aligners worn for 22 hours daily and changed weekly at home. Invisalign aligners are customized to fit your smile comfortably and apply gentle pressure while guiding your teeth into place. Many adult Invisalign patients say their friends and family don’t notice their clear aligners!
There are minimal restrictions with Invisalign, and treatment requires fewer office visits than braces. Invisalign requires more at-home maintenance than alternative treatment methods, as forgetting to wear or change your aligners weekly could cause treatment delays.
Chicago Adult Orthodontic Treatment
It is never too late to achieve the smile you’ve always wanted! At Diamond Plus Orthodontics, we are in the top 1% of Invisalign providers nationwide, meaning we have treated more patients using Invisalign than most other dental professionals!
Our Chicago orthodontists are also adult braces specialists! Our modern, convenient offices are designed with comfort in mind, allowing patients of all ages to feel at home.
We believe a confident smile should be accessible to everyone. We make straightening your smile easy and affordable by offering complimentary insurance verification, affordable payment plans, and 3 Chicago area orthodontist locations.
Are you ready to start your smile journey today? Schedule your free consultation online, and our friendly team will help you choose the right treatment option for you!