These days, there are more than 16,000 orthodontists practicing throughout the United States. On top of that, more than 91,000 people total work in the orthodontist industry to help people straighten their teeth.
One of the reasons the orthodontic industry is flourishing is that orthodontic treatment for adults is becoming much more common than it used to be. In the past, the inconvenience of working with traditional braces was so great that most adults never even considered the option. Instead, people got used to the idea that orthodontic treatment was for kids and teens.
However, new orthodontic technology is causing many adults to reconsider whether pursuing straight teeth might be a good choice for them. Read on to learn all about the most vital details to understand orthodontic treatment for adults!
Map Out a Plan for Your Adult Braces
If you decide to pursue orthodontic treatment, it will start out with a visit with your orthodontist or the person who provides you with dental care. You can ask them any questions about the process and confirm that you are ready to proceed. The first thing your orthodontist will do is take a scan of your teeth.
Modern scanning tools allow orthodontists to create 3D digital models of mouths, making it much easier to understand their various nooks and crannies. With that information, your orthodontist will be able to prepare a unique path toward straight teeth for you. However, with that scan completed, you will be free to head home until the next step.
Receive Your First Aligners
In the past, the next step might have been for you to have metal brackets adhered to your teeth and wires strung along them to start pulling your teeth into proper alignment. However, most adults who consider orthodontic treatment do so because they are interested in more modern clear aligner strategies for straightening teeth.
That means your likely next step will be receiving your first set of clear aligners. When your orthodontist gives you your aligners, they will make sure that they fit and that everything is in order. At that point, you will start wearing your aligners day and night as they start to straighten your teeth.
Visiting Your Doctor as You Pursue Straight Teeth
Throughout this process, you will visit your orthodontist again every few weeks to check up on your progress. Once your teeth are adjusted by your first pair of aligners, your orthodontist will prepare a second set for you.
Your first aligners will move your teeth part-way toward straightness, relying on your next set to straighten your teeth even more. You will continue to receive new aligners that will each apply gentle pressure to your teeth, helping them become straighter as quickly and smoothly as possible.
What to Expect From New Types of Braces
But what will your everyday life look like if you start wearing aligners all the time?
In the past, metal braces would call constant attention to the teeth of people who had them. However, you will find that your clear aligners are much subtler.
Many of the people you speak with will never even notice you are wearing them. At the same time, it can take a little time for you to get used to wearing your aligners.
You might find that your speech feels a little awkward for a few days or weeks until you are used to the new topology of your mouth.
One of the biggest reasons that clear aligners are better than metal braces for so many people is that you don’t need to update your oral hygiene habits. In the past, you might have needed to learn how to keep your mouth clean using special toothbrushes and flossing tools. However, you can simply remove your aligners and brush and floss as usual.
On top of that, you won’t need to update your dietary habits in any way. All you need to do is pop out your liners for meals and then put them back in when you are done.
Remember that the more hours of each day you wear your aligners, the faster they will be able to straighten your teeth. That is why it is important to wear them at night as well as during the day. At the same time, leaving your aligners out for a few hours will only set back your progress by a few hours.
As a result, you should feel free to remove your aligners for occasional special events. That way, you can pursue straight teeth without having to detract from your social life or convenience.
Enjoy Comfort With Modern Aligners
Another good thing about modern clear aligners is that they are much gentler on the mouth than metal braces. You won’t have to worry about brackets callusing the insides of your cheeks. There is also no need to be concerned about wires that might poke out and scratch your mouth.
Instead, your clear aligners will provide you with a smooth surface and maximum comfort. In fact, they can even protect your teeth if you have a habit of grinding them.
Enjoying the Results of Your Orthodontic Care
One of the amazing things about modern clear aligners is how fast they work. You might notice that your teeth are a little straighter after only a few weeks of wearing your first set of aligners.
On top of that, some people finish their whole orthodontic process in only 6 months. That is amazing when you understand that metal braces often required two or three years to work! In most cases, using clear aligners will straighten your teeth after about 1 year.
Know the Details of Orthodontic Treatment for Adults
New advances in orthodontic technology have made orthodontic treatment for adults more viable than ever before. Once you understand how the orthodontic process works for adults, you can decide for yourself if it is the right choice for you. Many adults find themselves considering orthodontic treatment once they discover how much more convenient it is with new technology.
To find out more about how you can receive the best modern orthodontic treatment for your teeth, contact us here at any time!
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