If you had braces when you were younger or know somebody else who did, you’ll be glad to know that, as an adult, you have access to many more advanced options compared to what was available back then. Today, adults have a lot of choices to consider when it comes to getting adult braces, whether you never had your teeth straightened as a teen or if your teeth have moved around since then. Today, braces aren’t all about having a mouth full of metal with several clear and removable options that you can use to fit them into your adult life. Whether you have some misaligned teeth that have been bothering you for some time or you want to fix overcrowding in your mouth, getting braces as an adult has never been easier. Read on to find out more about your options and how to choose the right one for your needs.

When a Lot of Work is Needed

The best type of braces or aligners for you will largely depend on the amount of work that you are going to need doing on your teeth. Most professionals will recommend a fixed brace if you have serious misalignment issues. A fixed brace might also be the best option if you did not have braces as a teenager – your teeth might be better straightened using fixed braces, but this is not always the case. It’s a good idea to speak to an orthodontist who can check out your teeth as they are now and help you make the best decision based on your individual dental situation. If fixed braces are recommended, bear in mind that this doesn’t mean you have to get old-fashioned metal braces – there are several ceramic and clear options that are not as obvious in your mouth.

Mild Misalignment

If your teeth are mostly straight, but you’re dealing with one or two misalignment issues that you’d like to correct, the good news is that there are several treatments available to do this. You could opt for fixed braces, but this situation tends to be the ideal one for clear aligners like the options available from ALIGNERCO. ALIGNERCO can help with more serious misalignment issues too – just get in touch to find out more about how they can help you and send an impression of your teeth to them. ALIGNERCO offers a range of aligner options including removable night time aligners that allow you to straighten your teeth while you sleep and get on with your life as normal during the day.

Why Get Clear Aligners?

Unless your teeth are seriously misaligned, and fixed braces have been recommended to you, there are plenty of reasons to consider getting clear aligners. If you want to straighten your teeth but the idea of having noticeable braces in your mouth for a long period of time is putting you off, clear aligners can be the ideal alternative. Even the aligners that you need to wear every day until the treatment is finished are barely noticeable, and you are able to easily take them out for events or when eating and drinking. If you don’t want to have any sort of braces or aligners in your mouth during the day, night-time aligners can help you get the results that you want while keeping them out of sight and out of mind.

Preparing Your Teeth

Depending on the current situation of your teeth and dental health, you may need to prepare for getting adult braces or aligners. In some cases, if your teeth are seriously overcrowded in your mouth and you don’t have much room for them to move into when aligning, you may be required to have some teeth extracted before you can start the braces or aligners treatment. Your orthodontist or dentist will be able to provide more advice regarding this, including how many and which teeth are likely to be extracted. In addition, it’s important to go for a dental health checkup before you begin to make sure that your teeth are healthy. Your dentist will want to ensure that any cavities are filled before you begin, and any more serious issues like abscesses or the removal of impacted wisdom teeth are also dealt with.

Caring For Your Teeth During Treatment

How you are going to care for your teeth during the alignment treatment is another key factor to consider before you go ahead. This will vary depending on the type of braces or aligners that you want to get or are recommended. Removable aligners will typically make it easy for you to clean and care for your teeth since you can simply take the aligners out for brushing and flossing. On the other hand, if you are going to get fixed braces, it’s important to learn the different techniques for keeping your teeth in the best condition while wearing them, which is not always easy. An electric toothbrush is a good investment to make if you want to keep your teeth as clean and healthy as possible. Inter-dental brushes are a good alternative to floss for cleaning in between your teeth while wearing fixed braces. It’s also important to consider which foods are best avoided as they pose a risk of breaking the brace.

Maintaining Your Straight Teeth

Whatever brace or aligner option you decide to go with, it’s also important to consider how you are going to maintain your smile once the treatment period is over. You will usually be provided with a retainer that is usually worn at night. If you’ve had clear aligners or night-time aligners, this will be very similar, except for the fact that you don’t need to change it after a few weeks. If you’ve been fitted with fixed braces, it can take some getting used to wearing a clear retainer at night over your teeth. Either way, the purpose of the retainer is to keep your teeth in place and prevent them from moving back to their original position. While it might feel tight and uncomfortable at the beginning, the good news is that it will push any teeth that might have moved slightly since your last aligner or since your fixed brace was removed and become more comfortable to wear. You may be required to wear your retainer for a certain amount of time to keep your newly straight teeth in place, while some people have to wear one every night for the rest of their lives. Retainers are typically made of thin, comfortable plastic material and can also help guard against other issues such as preventing you from grinding and damaging your teeth at night.

Today, brace and teeth alignment technology have come on a long way. If you want straighter teeth, you don’t have to get a bulky metal brace that might have been the only option when you were a teen. Adults looking for a straighter smile have several different options to consider including clear fixed braces and clear aligners that are much less noticeable. Some options can even be worn at night only to allow you to live life as normal during the day without worrying about a brace. The best option for you will depend on several factors, so it’s a good idea to talk to a professional who can help you decide.