Braces for Both Adults and Children
Maintaining a well-formed set of teeth without any deformities is a very important part of dental health. Unfortunately, not everyone possesses naturally well-formed teeth and you may even suffer an accident that leads to deformation. The first impression is the last impression in many professions, which is why sporting a healthy, well-formed set of teeth is very important for adults.
As such, dental braces for adults is a common option for millions of Americans every year. In most cases, patients who need braces later in adult life often did not recuperate from childhood dental problems, which resulted in the deformation of tooth alignment.
If you need adult braces in Anchorage, you can trust your smile with Alaska Dental Associates. Our experienced dentist in Anchorage offers a number of options to help adults straighten their teeth!
Difference Between Braces for Children and Adults
While the basic procedure and materials are the same regardless of age, we take into consideration two distinct differences when installing adult braces.
Completed Jaw Development
By the time you reach adulthood, your jaw has finished its growth. This means that care can no longer reshape the structure of your jaw in the same way it could for a child. We take this into account when planning your adult braces to ensure that you can still straighten your smile to perfection.
Gum Disease
Adults are far more prone to periodontal disease than children, and it can be very damaging to your teeth while wearing braces. This means that you need to be extra vigilant at maintaining proper oral hygiene, including regular brushing, flossing, and professional dental cleanings.
Types of Braces in Anchorage
You have several choices when it comes to braces. These are usually determined by budget and insurance coverage. Here is a brief description of the most common types of adult braces.
Traditional Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces are the most widely recognized type of braces and are probably the first image that comes to mind when you hear the word braces. They consist of metal brackets that are held together by a thin wire in the front of the teeth. Though simple and effective, these are really noticeable, and their popularity has fallen thanks to the innovation of more modern and subtle appliances.
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners differ from typical braces because they do not consist of wires. Instead, they are more like plastic trays that settle over your teeth, slowly pushing them into alignment. Over time, we’ll replace the trays one after another, each one designed to straighten the teeth slightly more towards perfection. Patients love clear aligners because they are practically invisible.
Clear Braces
Similar to clear aligners, clear braces are transparent medical braces. Though the wires holding the braces are still visible, they are still less noticeable than regular metal braces. This is the most common brace fitting choice made by dentists when clear aligners are not viable enough to rectify complex problems.
Another difference from traditional braces is that instead of clips, most of them rely on elastic bands to hold the wire of the brace in place. This makes keeping the teeth clean easier compared to wearing metal braces. Mostly made of ceramic and plastic, the one problem with clear braces is that they are less durable than other options.
Lingual Braces
A bit more expensive and unconventional compared to the other kinds of adult braces, lingual braces are the most inconspicuous brace fitting available. Instead of being placed in the front of the teeth, these braces are fit in the lingual (tongue) side.
They provide the same function as other braces. They simply straighten the teeth from the inside instead of outside. The only downside of this kind of brace fitting is the cost and increased difficulty acclimating to the feel of the apparatus.
Retainers
Though retainers cannot exactly be classified as a type of braces, their functionality deserves special mention. Basically, retainers are devices that are used as an extra precaution for a certain period of time after the braces are taken off.
Retainers are very important because braces just reshape the structure of your teeth. If the teeth don’t hold properly, then all the effort of wearing a brace goes to waste as they are subverted back to their deformed positions. Your retainer holds the teeth in place long enough for new bone growth to take place and support your perfect smile indefinitely.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
Dr. Triggs has been restoring smiles and correcting issues for thirty years. Whether your teeth are crooked, gapped, crowded, or more, Alaska Dental Associates has the experience to straighten them back to perfection. Contact us today and set up an appointment to reclaim your smile and show off your pearly whites again. Fill out the form below!