Straight Teeth in Less Time
How To Wear Braces As An Adult
Lois Murray
It's never too late to get braces technically. But how do you show up to your workplace -- as a professional -- with a mouthful of metal? Your team will never let you live that up. With advancements in orthodontics, you have plenty of ways to wear modern braces discreetly, so no one has to know you've been to the orthodontist.
Outside-In Braces
One of the worst things about getting braces is the shiny metal brackets that glisten every time someone snaps a photo with their phone. Nowadays, you can get the same benefit of traditional wire braces by getting them on the inside. Yes, you read that right. Instead of getting brackets or wires on the outside of your teeth, your orthodontist places them on the inside, next to your tongue. These in-demand straighteners are known as lingual braces. Because they're so difficult for others to see -- unless you really open up wide -- no one has to know you're wearing these high-tech braces.
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners, such as Invisalign®, are one of the original "adult braces." These braces work by straightening your teeth gradually by wearing nearly-invisible aligners for 20-22 hours per day. Your orthodontist simply attaches brackets to your molars, and all you have to do is snap your aligners in place when you're ready to wear them. Each week or two, you get a brand new set of aligners that continue moving your teeth into proper alignment.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are still a thing for adults. While they're slightly more costly than traditional metal braces, they're often more cost-effective than lingual braces or aligners. Yes, others will be able to tell you're wearing braces, but not until they're up close; this means that you can still confidently smile in all those selfies and group photos.
Final Considerations
The best orthodontist for your needs is the one you can talk to about your concerns. They should spend time with you going over all your options so that you can straighten your teeth discreetly. No matter which type of braces are ideal for you, they're going to take some getting used to, since you now have something foreign in your mouth. If you have some vacation time or have a chance to take a long weekend, use it to get started with braces. That way, you can get over the initial soreness and make any necessary adjustments in your speech pattern and be able to slide right into your Monday morning meeting beaming with confidence.
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I had braces when I was a kid. Back then, you had to wear those metal wires and rubber bands for what seemed like forever. When I saw that my child’s teeth were going to be crooked like mine, I was dreading the years of braces and orthodontist appointments and limited diets that I saw stretching ahead of us. I was pleased to find out that braces today are very different from braces when I was a kid. They don’t need to be worn for nearly as long, and they aren’t as intrusive, either. My daughter got braces that can barely be seen, and she can remove them when she eats, so she doesn’t have to give up her favorite foods. I was so impressed that I started a blog to talk about modern day tooth straightening techniques. Braces have come a long way.