Having nice teeth is important for many reasons. First and foremost, having good dental hygiene can prevent all sorts of nasty bacteria build up and dental diseases. Second, having an attractive smile can make a big difference in your social and vocational life. In fact, 74% of adults feel an unattractive smile can negatively impact their career success. While you typically see braces and Invisalign for teens, sometimes they neglect this crucial dental care step. So, what are some options in orthodontics for adults?
- InvisalignFor misaligned teeth, there is no better way to discreetly and effectively fix this orthodontic problem than with Invisalign. It works by first taking a mold of your teeth, then creating a series of clear corrective casts for your teeth, each becoming incrementally closer to the goal alignment.
- BracesBraces are typically used on early adolescent children, because fixing alignment issue early in life is much more effective. That said, some people might not have had access to dental care when they were young. If that was the case, adult braces are always an option.
- RetainerIf your alignment issue is not so severe that it demands full-time solutions like Invisalign or braces, a retainer worn at night might be the right choice for you. They are more effective if worn all day, but for minor problems, retainers are a good choice.
- Sleep Apnea SolutionsMany people don't think of sleep apnea as an orthodontic problem, since it affects breathing and sleep. Orthodontists can, however, use their knowledge of the oral anatomy to initiate treatment.
- Cleft Palate MoldingUsing Nasovascular molding, orthodontists can prep a cleft palate for a more successful surgery. Nasovascular molding uses tissue expansion to give surgeons more material to work with in hopes of a successful surgery both in function and aesthetics.
There are many orthodontic solutions for your oral issues. Adults who have forgone dental care most of their lives have their work cut out for them, but with a little patience and trust, almost anything can be put right. If you have an alignment issue or would like to talk to an orthodontist, don't hesitate to contact us today.