Once upon a time, braces were only for adolescents and teens. But times have changed. More and more adults are choosing braces. Healthline reports, “In 2014, the [American Association of Orthodontists] reported that number had climbed to 1.4 million.” It’s a growing trend.
In an interview with WebMD, Sunil Wadhwa, DDS, PhD claims, “When I started practicing in the ’90s, I was lucky if 1% of my clients were adults. It was unheard of for adults to get braces. Now, about 50% of my patients are adults. It’s definitely our fastest growing segment.”
As we’ll explain in today’s blog, there are many reasons why more adults are choosing to get braces. If you are an adult in Houston considering getting braces, Greenspoint Dental is happy to help you find the orthodontic treatment that will work best for your teeth.
A Better, More Professional Smile
One of the main reasons that adults choose to get braces is because they are unhappy with their current smile. Whether their teeth are misaligned or crooked, or they have an improper bite, these adults feel that their smiles hold them back. They hesitate to smile in interviews, which prevents them from getting the jobs they deserve.
Along those same lines, adults may hesitate to get braces as adults because they feel like braces will hinder them in their careers. This couldn’t be further from the truth. As more adults wear braces with confidence (it’s even a trending hashtag on Instagram), it’s more commonplace and accepted.
A Huge Confidence Boost
Another reason many adults choose to get braces is that their current smiles have always made them feel self-conscious. Since braces can help people get straighter, nicer smiles, then it is easy to understand why braces will give people (even adults) a huge confidence boost. Many adults have wished for a better smile for years, and after braces, they proudly show off their pearly whites.
They Can Pay for It Themselves
Unfortunately, braces aren’t cheap, and many view them primarily as a cosmetic procedure. That’s why many adults missed their chance to get braces as children. Since they did not have money on their own, they had to rely on their parents. If their parents couldn’t afford or didn’t want to pay for braces, then they were unable to wear them and get their smiles corrected.
Once adults begin making money of their own, many choose to prioritize getting the smile they always hoped for as a kid. At Greenspoint Dental, we’ve calculated the cost of traditional metal braces to be between $3,500 and $6,500, and ceramic braces generally range between $4,000 and $7,000.
Sadly, many insurance companies do not pay for orthodontics after age 18, and even then, they typically only cover 50%. However, as more adults are getting braces, some companies “offer adult orthodontics coverage [at] larger firms with at least 5,000 benefit-eligible employees.” So, be sure to check your companies dental plan coverage to see if orthodontic treatment is included.
Greenspoint Dental in Houston doesn’t want finances to stand in the way of your perfect smile. That’s why we offer payment plans for orthodontic treatment.
Braces Aren’t Forever
The older we get, the better understanding we have of time. What seems like eternity to a child feels like a much smaller length of time to an adult. As a result, the idea of wearing braces for several months or a couple of years does not seem so bad. Adults can understand that they won’t be in braces forever and that it will be well worth it at the end.
Adults are More Responsible
When you wear braces, you have to treat them with care. This includes proper brushing, flossing, and avoiding certain foods. If you fail to practice good oral hygiene, it can hinder your orthodontic treatment. Fortunately, most are adults are more responsible than teens when it comes to taking care of their braces.
There are Some Dental Issues Where Braces are the Best Option
Sometimes adults wind up getting braces because it is the best option for their dental issues. For instance, here’s one 64-year-old’s story that was featured in Healthline:
“Early last year, I had a bridge and a damaged tooth taken out. That left a gaping hole in the back right side of my mouth. I wasn’t a good candidate for implants, so it was either get braces or eventually get dentures, something I remember my great-grandfather wearing when I was a child. I went for the braces.”
If you need a smile makeover, Dr. Bosse and the dental experts at Greenpoint Dental in Houston will devise the plan that works best for your teeth, and in some cases, this may include orthodontic treatment.
Today’s Orthodontic Technology is Better
Just like everything else involving medicine, science, and technology, orthodontics is continuing to improve to work easier and more effectively. Today’s braces are better than the braces of yesteryear. As Harvard Medical School explains, “Today’s braces are more comfortable and less obtrusive than those of the past. They’re smaller and use fewer brackets. The wires are less noticeable and more effective than those used previously.”
There are More Options Available
As a result of these advances in orthodontics, there are more options available than ever before. For instance, in addition to the traditional metal braces you are used to, there are a variety of other options. For example, traditional metal braces are the most cost-effective, so many adults opt for these braces. However, there are clear metal brackets, which are less noticeable.
A pricier, but even less noticeable option is ceramic braces. These are like metal braces, but the brackets on the teeth are clear or tooth-colored, which helps them blend in with your teeth more naturally.
Another option that is surging in popularity, especially amongst adults, is Invisalign. Invisalign involves creating a custom set of clear aligners that are changed out every two weeks until you achieve the smile you want in significantly less time than with traditional braces.
Greenspoint Dental Offers Adult Orthodontics for Houston Residents in Need of a Smile Repair