I’m an adult. What are my teeth-straightening options?

I hear so many adults say they wish they’d worn braces as a child.  They say this because they aren’t happy with their teeth’s alignment, but they don’t want to wear braces as adults.

I can totally understand their hesitation.  Somehow, kids in braces are a much more common and “acceptable” vision, probably because a) kids aren’t as self-conscious about their appearance and b) what looks goofy and cute on a kid, doesn’t always have the same affect on an adult.

But.  If you are an adult, and you’d like your teeth to be straighter, you should stop thinking thoughts like “It’s too late” and “There’re no options.”  There are many options!  You can have a straight, white smile, and it is never too late.

Perhaps the most common alternative to braces is Invisalign.  Depending on your individual teeth, Invisalign can work just as well as traditional metal braces.  In some cases, Invisalign has been used, in combination with braces at the end of treatment to sort of apply the ‘finishing touches.’  In more cases, Invisalign does the job on its own.

The most obvious benefit to Invisalign, especially to adults, is your appearance while wearing them.  They are barely noticeable (no one would be able to tell you’re wearing them unless they got up close and personal to your mouth), in contrast to a mouthful of metal brackets.  So while your teeth are getting straighter and straighter, no one is the wiser (until one day you smile and they think “wow, what a beautiful smile!”).

The other obvious benefit is that you can take them out while eating and while cleaning your teeth.  So, during an Invisalign treatment, you can eat what you want, and do a better job of keeping your teeth clean, than you can while wearing traditional braces.

You can talk to an orthodontist or a qualified cosmetic dentist about your teeth straightening options, to determine the best route for you.  But whatever your age, and whatever your teeth require to be straight, it is never too late.  With today’s technology, there’s a viable option for you.  You can have straight teeth and a beautiful smile!  And unlike in the past, that usually doesn’t require years of metal brackets.

If you live in or around Atlanta, Alpharetta, or Roswell areas, we would love for you to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sarah Roberts by calling 678-319-0123 or by emailing us.