Anyone who may feel self-conscious about wearing orthodontic braces only has to look at braces before and after pictures, to remind themselves how beneficial orthodontic treatment can be. You can start with orthodontic treatment at almost any age and see the dental benefits. At Dental 266 we are committed to offering our patients the highest level of orthodontic care.
Teeth Before And After Braces
If your teeth are crooked or your jaw is misaligned, orthodontics may assist in straightening your teeth and / or jaw. According to a survey conducted by Orthodontics Australia there is an increasing number of adults who want to improve their teeth.
The outcomes of the survey found that more than half of the respondents were self-conscious about the appearance of their teeth. 62% would like to straighten a crooked smile – so much so that 46% of the respondents said that changing their teeth was the most important facial change they wanted to make to their appearance.
What’s more, over 50% also said that they would smile more if they had a perfect smile.
What Happens To Your Teeth During Orthodontic Treatment?
Interestingly, it is never too late to start, and many adults are getting good results with orthodontics later in life. The orthodontics apply pressure to your teeth (or jaw) to move them into the correct position. As they shift into the right positions, your wires and brackets need to be adjusted so they continue to shift your teeth throughout the treatment.
What Are Your Options?
Today they are plenty to choose from, including different types that are less noticeable than traditional metal orthodontics. Once your dentist has assessed your teeth and smile, and taken x-rays and digital photographs, he or she will recommend the orthodontics best suited to solve your alignment issue.
Traditional metal
While they might not feature as everyone’s favourite look, metal orthodontics are highly effective at correcting bites and straightening teeth. Braces before and after pictures generally reveal a major improvement in the teeth after the duration of treatment. They are used most commonly for smile correction in children and teenagers as they tend to be the most cost effective.
Lingual braces
Lingual braces are almost identical to traditional metal orthodontics, except that they are fitted on the back of your teeth. Patients do report that they take some getting used to, but they do offer the benefit of being less noticeable than metal orthodontics.
Ceramic
Ceramic braces are tooth coloured, and best suit adult patients who practice excellent dental hygiene. They are less noticeable than traditional braces but they can stain easily if they are not taken care of.
Clear aligners (invisalign)
Clear aligners like Invisalign have become increasingly popular with adult orthodontics patients, because they are almost invisible and can be removed for eating and brushing. They are ideal for adult patients who want to correct their smiles in a discreet way.
Do You Really Need Them?
Orthodontics are not only cosmetic improvements, they also provide important hygiene improvements to your mouth. Straight teeth are much easier to keep clean. And cleaner teeth are much easier to keep free of decay. The benefits of orthodontic treatment are vast and include:
- Cleaner teeth and gums
- Teeth are more protected against wear and tear when grinding and clenching
- Gum damage is less likely to occur
- You will put less pressure on your jaw joints if you correct your bite
- Orthodontic treatment can be as short as six months and last up to 18 months, depending on your circumstances.
When Should You Consider Getting Orthodontic Treatment?
As mentioned earlier, it is never too late. Typically your dental practitioner will recommend that you wait until all your adult teeth have emerged, usually from the age of 12 onwards.
Improvements in orthodontic technology also mean that treatment times are not as long as you might think. Some patients can straighten their smiles in as little as six months of treatment. Remember though, that even if you think your teeth have straightened out, you shouldn’t skimp on wearing your retainer.
Some adults find themselves wearing braces for the second time because they didn’t heed their dentist’s advice to wear their retainer after the first time their braces were removed. Not wearing your retainer at night can cause your teeth to shift, and it’s an important step in your orthodontic treatment, so don’t skimp on it.
Would you like to see some of our patients’ braces before and after pictures? Please contact us for an appointment: (02) 9051 0600.
