As a teenager, you may have felt like countless others – embarrassed by the flashy and bulky metal you had to wear for years to straighten your teeth. Although treatment was proven effective in the end because of your new, perfectly aligned smile, the years have passed, resulting in teeth that have slowly shifted over time. Now that you’re an adult, you wonder if orthodontics is once again in the future; if so, will you be forced to wear metal appliances again or will a clear solution like Invisalign work? Keep reading to discover whether custom aligners are possible after wearing regular braces.
Aren’t Braces Supposed to Create Permanent Results?
In most cases, yes, wearing braces should give you a smile that remains firmly in place for a lifetime. You should never need to worry about your teeth shifting out of alignment again; however, much of this depends on how well you take care of your teeth and how committed you are to the retention phase of orthodontic treatment.
There is also the possibility that your teeth will gradually shift because of the use of your facial muscles when eating and speaking over the years. Teeth grinding can also be to blame.
After completing treatment with orthodontic braces, it’s imperative to wear a custom retainer to keep issues like these from occurring. Initially, you’ll need to wear it full-time (except when eating); however, after several months, your dentist may recommend that you only wear it at night.
Are Metal Braces Necessary if You Need Help as an Adult?
If you wore metal braces as a teenager, it doesn’t mean that you’ll be required to wear them again as an adult. This decision is made by a qualified dentist or orthodontist who can determine the severity of the misalignment.
Invisalign is typically recommended for cases that are mild to moderate. These can be overcrowding, crookedness, gapped teeth and bite misalignment.
The good news is that unless your situation is severe, there is a good chance that you’ll be cleared to move forward with Invisalign. Not only will you enjoy a shorter treatment time than regular braces (most likely), but you’ll also have fewer follow-up appointments, experience minimal discomfort and enjoy a more discreet appearance.
Seeking orthodontic treatment as an adult doesn’t have to be an embarrassing reality. Instead, by choosing Invisalign to straighten your teeth once again, you can experience a beautifully aligned smile during this new phase of life.
About the Practice
At West Brookfield Dental, our team of established dentists is pleased to provide patients with crooked, crowded and misaligned teeth a solution that is more discreet and produces faster results on average – Invisalign. With these new clear aligners, we can help individuals take charge of their oral health by gently applying pressure to teeth to keep them moving in the right direction. Contact us via the website or by calling (508)-637-5140 to find out if you can wear Invisalign even if you once donned traditional metal braces.
