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CAN ADULTS HAVE ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT? |
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Many adults wish they could have orthodontic treatment after seeing the results achieved in children. The biologic processes involved in moving teeth are mostly the same, regardless of age. |
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WHY HAVE ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT? |
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There can be many reasons for an adult to have orthodontic treatment. They are shown as follows:
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A beautiful smile is a valuable asset for everyone, no matter what age. |
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Prominent or unsightly teeth often cause embarrassment and affect a person’s self-esteem. |
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Crowded teeth can be more difficult to clean, which increases the likelihood of tooth decay and gum disease. |
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Some malocclusions lead to other problems such as excessive wear of teeth and trauma to the gums. |
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Sometimes orthodontic treatment is needed to help with dental procedures such as implants, crowns, bridges and gum treatment. |
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IS TREATMENT DIFFERENT FOR ADULTS? |
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Because of the lack of jaw growth and increased bone density, adult teeth usually move more slowly than children teeth. Treatment goals are often modified to minimize treatment time for an adult. Problems such as gum disease, broken teeth and missing teeth need to be taken into account with adults. Often a team approach, utilizing other dental professionals is needed to achieve the best results. |
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HOW LONG DOES ADULT TREATMENT TAKE? |
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The length of treatment differs for each individual and depends on the severity of the problem. Simple problems such as closing a small space or uprighting a tooth may take as little as a few months. Complex problems typically take 24-48 months. |
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WILL TREATMENT AFFECT MY LIFESTYLE? |
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This is a common concern, but most adults agree that after an initial period of adjustment, orthodontic appliances do not really affect lifestyle. Most adults receive encouragement from family and friends. Some food and drinks need to be avoided, but this is not usually an issue. |
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HOW ARE TEETH STRAIGHTENED? |
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Tooth movement is a normal response to force applied to a tooth. Light forces from the surrounding structures of the face and mouth guide and help keep teeth in position. To move teeth into new positions, a variety of orthodontic appliances may be used to apply additional forces. Simple problems may be corrected using a removable plate or a clear aligner. However, most problems are quite complicated and to be fully corrected need appliances bonded to the teeth, called fixed appliances or “braces”. If there is a severe mismatch or the jaws, a combination of treatment with braces and surgical repositioning of one or both jaws may be recommended. |
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IS TREATMENT UNCOMFORTABLE? |
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Although modern braces are more gentle, there is often some discomfort for a few days after they have been fitted, but this is usually relieved by mild pain relief medication and a soft diet. Adjustments can sometimes make the teeth tender for a few days. Mouth ulcers are more common in adults during treatment, but applying soft wax to the braces provides relief. |
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ARE THERE ALTERNATIVES TO METAL BRACES? |
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Braces are still the most accurate and efficient way to move teeth. Clear braces are an option. Braces can also be fitted on the inside of the teeth, although they are more complicated to fit and adjust, which adds to their cost. Removable plates and clear “aligners” are also available, but they can really only perform minor tooth corrections and often need to be used in combination with braces. Orthodontic treatment corrects alignment problems by conserving your natural teeth, unlike quicker alternatives such as veneers and crowns. Before embarking on invasive treatment, consider the option of orthodontic treatment. |
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