Malocclusion in Adults: Understanding Your Teeth-Straightening Options

Dentist Blog

Malocclusion in adults should be resolved to prevent the development of oral health complications. In general, if misaligned teeth are left untreated, the affected individual is at a higher risk of dental cavities, periodontitis and chewing problems. Also, other complications such as jaw pain, earaches, speech issues and headaches might occur. Numerous adults assume that they have lost their opportunity for malocclusion correction. However, there are multiple treatment modalities for complete treatment. Consider this brief discussion on the straightening options for your crooked teeth.

Standard Metallic Braces

Metal braces are beneficial in the treatment of malocclusion because of their efficiency. The correction procedure involves the attachment of brackets and wires to the teeth. The braces are adjusted regularly to keep continuous pressure on the misaligned teeth. You should consider this option if you are looking for an inexpensive treatment procedure for your malocclusion. However, you should note that this is not the first choice for most adults. The metal braces are prominent; they will interfere with your appearance.

Alternative Ceramic Braces

You should consider choosing ceramic braces if you are interested in the aforementioned conventional design but dislike the metallic appearance. These variants are designed and built to use brackets and wires for correction. However, the brackets are made from porcelain or ceramic which has the same colour as teeth. As a result, the braces will not be prominent. Moreover, you can ask the dentist to provide wires which are tooth coloured. For an adult, this option is more favourable than the metallic alternative. However, it is important to remember that the cost of treatment will be higher.

Concealed Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are similar to standard metallic products in design and construction. However, they are not installed in the same manner. In general, lingual braces are attached to the inner surface of the teeth. Therefore, they are entirely concealed from the outside. This option is advantageous because your appearance will not be affected. However, they are more difficult to adjust, and they can be irritating to the inner oral structures such as the tongue. Also, not all forms of malocclusion can be treated using lingual braces.

Acrylic Aligners

The most popular misalignment treatment option for adults is perhaps the use of transparent acrylic aligners. These devices are custom designed plates which are constructed to fit over the dental arch. The appliances are built in a series, with each unit pushing the teeth further into the desired position. These orthodontic aligners are completely inconspicuous. However, the cost can be considerably high.

For more dental information, contact a local dentist.

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25 October 2017

Dental Care and Seniors: Helping to Maintain Your Smile

As you age, it can become harder to take care of your teeth. Motor challenges can make it hard to floss, while memory issues may make it easy to overlook brushing. Whether you are a senior looking for solutions to some of the common dental problems or a senior with specific questions about cavities or oral surgery, you have come to the right place. In this blog, I am going to touch on a range of topics related to seniors and oral health. This is the type of resource I wish my mum would have had access to in her senior years, and I hope you enjoy having access to it during yours. I appreciate you reading my posts.