Can Adults Still Wear Braces?

Do you ever see or see toothpaste ads envy the models' flashy smiles?

Your teeth are not only bright white, but also perfectly aligned. Having straight teeth is definitely a plus when it comes to dental aesthetics.

People whose teeth are not crooked or crowded have an attractive smile. In addition, it is much easier for people with good dentition to keep their teeth and mouth clean.

Having crooked teeth is not just an aesthetic problem

How each of your pearly whites breaks out and places itself is influenced by the construction of a person's jaw.

If the jaw appears small, there is a great chance that the teeth will be misaligned as it emerges. Imagine the tooth trying to press against each other to find its place.

Badly aligned teeth can also cause problems chewing and swallowing, as well as problems speaking, especially when pronouncing words.

This is a condition known as malocclusion, which explains Singapore's most comprehensive dental portal, Dentaleh.

Malocclusion occurs when the jaws are not properly aligned when they close because the teeth on the two dental arches are misaligned.

Fixing such problems becomes a breeze with the use of braces, says Dentaleh. While it looks like braces on teeth only highlight the aesthetic benefits, we learned above that it can go a long way in improving other aspects of our overall health.

Since the use of braces in children or adolescents is common, some think that adults may not be good candidates for this treatment. That is not true. Adults can very well undergo similar treatment to get straight teeth.

However, there may be limitations when the procedure is performed in adulthood compared to childhood.

Definition of braces for dental purposes

Braces are devices that aim to straighten misaligned teeth by attaching the device to the teeth to gently apply pressure to each of the teeth so that they shift in the right direction, resulting in their proper alignment.

When the braces put pressure on your teeth, your jawbone adapts, allowing each tooth and its root to move.

Stainless steel is traditionally the material from which braces are made. Continuous innovation has resulted in more options for brackets, such as ceramic or plastic. Ceramic brackets mimic the color of teeth.

So if you want low-key brackets, this is the type you can choose as it will make them less obvious. Note that the quality of ceramic and plastic is lower compared to stainless steel.

That said, these materials are easy to break. In terms of duration, ceramic braces usually take some time to produce results. This explains the steel wire resistance of the ceramic and plastic material.

If you don't want the device to be fully seen, you can also hide it by attaching it to the back of the teeth. The lingual device is used for this type of treatment.

Because of their location, braces of this type can be a handful to maintain, especially when it comes to cleaning. They can also injure the tongue and cause difficulty speaking.

What are the steps involved in placing braces?

Some preparations can be made by your orthodontist prior to the date of your planned braces procedure.

For example, teeth that are tightly packed together may require rubber bands or spacers that are placed to leave enough room for the teeth at the other end to accommodate bands that will fit around them.

On the day your braces are to be fitted, the following steps are required:

1. The first step is to thoroughly clean and dry your teeth.
2. The next step is to attach the brackets to the center of the tooth with the help of special glue and blue light to hold them in place. Regardless of whether you choose metal or ceramic, the basic shape of your brackets is. Both serve to hold the wires attached to the teeth firmly in place.
3. Then metal bands are placed around your molars. The tape is also attached to your tooth with special glue and blue light. This step can cause discomfort as the orthodontist may apply pressure when the band snaps into place. I feel like pain occurs when this is done. Let your orthodontist know so the band can be adjusted accordingly and release the pressure felt by the tooth.
4. Finally, the arch wire will be attached to the brackets of your teeth. A tiny rubber band called a ligature is wrapped around a bracket to keep the wire from moving.

Is there a difference between braces at a young age and braces as adults?

As mentioned earlier, adults may experience restrictions on how to attach braces to their teeth. Some changes that may be required to a structure may not be possible until after surgery.

This is because adult bones are already permanent and have peaked for growth.

Other complications like bone loss can also occur. This is common in people with gum disease. In this case, a periodontist may also be needed for consultation.

About the author:

Jason Wong is a Singapore-based journalist and blogger who primarily writes on the health and medical field in Singapore and Southeast Asia.