Plenty of adults never got their teeth straightened when they were adolescents. Plenty more did have braces, but their teeth have since wandered out of alignment and are a bit wonky again.
The problem with being an adult and having wonky teeth is that, in terms of image, the cure can be worse than the problem. No one wants to have to wear braces, and adults are, generally speaking, not up for the full metal braces look.
Thankfully, here at Winchester Orthodontics, we have transparent braces and hidden braces that can take the embarrassment out of getting your teeth straightened as an adult. Our orthodontist in Hampshire can talk you through the pros and cons of each of these discreet treatments.
Invisalign braces
These are, strictly speaking, not braces at all. They are more like mouth guards to look at, but super thin and made of transparent plastic. Inside each aligner is a series of carefully placed bumps and ridges that press on the teeth that need to be moved. You wear each aligner for 7-10 days and during that time, you will notice that the feeling that it doesn’t quite fit will dissipate. Once the aligner feels comfortable it’s time to put in the next one. You take them out to eat and drink anything other than plain water. Treatment with Invisalign (often misspelt as Invisaline) takes a year on average.
Hidden braces
These braces use brackets and wires to move your teeth, but instead of having them on the front of your teeth, they are fitted on the tongue-side of them. Each bracket is custom-made to fit each tooth. If you have moderate to complex alignment issues and don’t want people to know you are wearing braces, then these are the ones for you.
Clear braces
Another option you can explore when you see our orthodontist in Hampshire is clear bracket and wire braces. These feature smaller brackets made from clear ceramic and fine tooth-coloured wires. They are designed for small movements of the front 6-8 teeth and the average treatment time is 6 months.
Which braces are right for you? Why not come into Winchester Orthodontics for a consultation and find out?