Adults
Orthodontic Treatment for Adults
- Why wear braces when I can have crowns, bridges, veneers etc?
- Age worries? There are no age limits!
- NHS or Private
- Which type of brace can I have? I am worried about the way they look!
There are numerous benefits of having a nice smile. It can enhance confidence & self-esteem and makes you feel good every day. It also affects other peoples perception towards you and this can have direct benefits to your personal life and career.
Like many other lifestyle decisions, having straight teeth is also your choice. Orthodontic treatment is increasingly popular amongst adults looking for either a cosmetic or functional improvement in their teeth, done in a natural & non-invasive way.
We not only expect our teeth to last a lifetime but also look nice for the rest of our lives !
Our adult patients have avariety of concerns which brings them to us. Whether you have not worn your retainers and lost the alignment achieved as a teenager or never had the opportunity, having orthodontic treatment can be a huge investment to your future dental health and appearance. Many of our new patients say that they hate smiling for photos and wish striaghten their teeth in time for a forth-coming wedding or speacial day. Whatever your concerns may be, it is almost certain that we have already treated someone with a similar problem!
Why wear braces when I can have crowns, bridges, veneers etc.?
In the past it was fashionable to have a mouth full of crowns or veneers to transform your smile. This causes irreversible damage to the tooth and subjects the patient to a lifetime of very expensive dental re-treatment when these crowns and veneers fail. Dentists are now reluctant to cut healthy teeth for cosmetic reasons because each episode of treatment damages the teeth further, reducing its life. As we are all living longer, we expect to keep our teeth for longer.
Braces straighten teeth without cutting the enamel and causing irreversible damage to the tooth structure. The benefit of preserving the health of the teeth far outweighs the longer timescale involved to achieve a cosmetic result. Many forward thinking dentists are advising orthodontic treatment over multiple crowns and veneers for that reason.
More adults are choosing to wear braces later on in life. Whether you missed the opportunity in your younger days or were never given the option, it may still be possible to have treatment. Your teeth may have gradually moved over the years and it may be concerning you now. Some request re-treatment because teeth have moved since having orthodontic treatment in their teenage.
Age worries? There are no age limits!
Teeth can be moved at any age so it is never too late to consider orthodontic treatment if you would like a nice smile. We see adults of all age groups, from late teens to those in their 60’s. the only requirement for orthodontic treatment is sufficient teeth, healthy bone & gums and a willing patient. We have may patients who are retired and still feel young enough to want a beautiful smile.
Adults generally do not qualify for NHS treatment unless their problem is very complicated and likely to require treatment in a hospital setting. This often involves a combination of braces and jaw surgery. Private treatment can offer a larger choice of options and appointment times. It can be made affordable with monthly payments. A smile can last a lifetime and give you pleasure everyday, unlike an expensive holiday!!
Which type of brace can I have?
It is no longer unusual to see adults wearing braces. People from all walks of life have orthodontic treatment; from celebrities to busy mums to high powered career people etc. There are many modern braces available which are very discrete. At your consultation appointment we can discuss which one may be most suitable for you. Please follow this link to view the brace options