Getting Dental Braces as an Adult — What Are the Discreet Options?

There’s no denying that perfectly straight teeth are the major component of a great-looking smile. And, who doesn’t want a beautiful smile? It’s a huge advantage in life, especially if you work in an industry where physical appearance is regarded highly.

It is for this reason that there is an increasing number of adults who are getting braces nowadays. Some of them got braces as kids, but over the years, their teeth have shifted out of proper alignment. Thus, to regain the nice appearance of their teeth, they need to wear braces again.

Meanwhile, some may have needed braces as teenagers, but due to the high cost of dental braces, could not get them. But, now, with a stable job and income, the cost of braces is more financially manageable.

Although there is absolutely no shame in getting dental braces as adults, many feel that it’s a type of teeth correction that is deeply associated with the adolescent years. Therefore, wearing braces as adults could feel a little awkward.

Thankfully, adults do not have to settle for the traditional metal braces that a lot of middle and high schoolers have. There are more discreet options for slightly older people who feel self-conscious about the idea of metal braces. Find out what they are below.

1.Lingual braces

Lingual or incognito braces are basically your traditional metal braces except that the brackets and wires are placed behind or on the inner sides of the teeth. If you are familiar with the Little Mix singer, Perrie Edwards, these were the kind of braces she wore to fix her snaggletooth.

With these braces, most people would not even know that you’re correcting your teeth alignment and other orthodontic issues unless you open your mouth big and wide to show them.

Some people who have worn these braces say that they’re slightly uncomfortable because they’re near the tongue, and lisping is for sure going to be an issue. Not only that, you can suffer very minor mouth injuries during the first few weeks of wearing them. But, give yourself time, and all these issues will be gone.

2. Clear ceramic braces

These braces have similar components to traditional metal braces, meaning there are brackets and wires. However, the brackets are often tooth-colored or clear. Therefore, they are not as visible to most people. At times, you can look like you’re only wearing retainers. Then again, if you also do not want the wires to be visible, there are clear ones that go well with the ceramic brackets.

When it comes to durability, it’s just as good as metal braces. Perhaps the only complaint some people have with clear braces is how they are prone to staining if not properly maintained.

Therefore, if you opt for ceramic braces, make sure to implement proper oral care. Brush and floss after every meal, and use your interdental brushes well to get rid of food particles that may get stuck on the brackets and wires.

3. Invisalign

Invisalign, also known as invisible braces, is considered to be the most popular option for adults who are able to budget for it and who really want to correct their teeth without anybody knowing. But, apart from being the most discreet orthodontic solution, Invisalign offers benefits that other braces don’t.

First of all, Invisalign comes in a set of 18 to 30 transparent aligners that have been designed to fully hug your teeth and move them into their correct location. Secondly, the aligners or trays are removable, which means that oral care is so much easier. You only need to remove the trays when you need to eat and brush your teeth. Thirdly, you replace the trays with a new pair every couple of weeks. Therefore, you do not have to worry about the aligners becoming discolored over time.

Considerations

So, these are all the discreet options for adults who are not keen on wearing traditional metal braces. However, it’s important to note that your orthodontist may recommend one over the others. Although all of these can do an adequate job of creating perfectly straight teeth, one may actually work faster than the other options.

And you also need to consider your comfort and convenience. Just because Invisalign is removable does not necessarily mean that it’s the most convenient option for you based on your lifestyle. Perhaps, you’d be better off with ceramic or lingual braces because they’re attached to your teeth, and you cannot lose them if you are a forgetful person.

Lastly, take into account your budget. Out of all the options, Invisalign is the most expensive, and at times, you may go a little over your established budget with it, which has happened to some people. Your orthodontist may recommend a few more trays once you have gone through all that you were initially provided with to achieve the smile that you want. So, think carefully about how much you are willing to spend for teeth correction.