Can adults even get braces? The answer is yes. If you’re wondering how long adults wear braces, there isn’t really a simple answer. There really is no way to say how long you will have to wear braces without scheduling a complimentary exam with an orthodontist or doing a virtual smile assessment. An orthodontist will inspect your teeth and your specific situation to give you a timeframe. But, in the meantime, you can get an idea of what kind of factors matter.

Factors That Make Treatment Take Longer

If you’re wondering why braces take so long, it’s because the process can be complicated. Here are some of the factors that matter most.

How stubborn are your teeth?

Adults do often need to wear braces for longer than children. Because your jaw is fully grown, your teeth are more set in places and much harder to shift around than a child’s. So age can be a factor. Plus, an orthodontist is really only estimating how your teeth will respond to braces. Some people’s teeth are just more stubborn than others. And unfortunately, it’s not something you or your dentist can control.

What kind of braces meet your needs?

These days there are multiple types of braces available, with different esthetics and sometimes treatment time. Depending on your treatment needs and priorities, your orthodontist will recommend the most effective type. Invisalign aligners are a popular option for adults wearing braces. They are comfortable, invisible, and fast-acting.

Why are you considering braces to begin with?

A small cosmetic adjustment like a crooked tooth more than likely won’t take nearly as long to treat as a serious issue like a jaw misalignment.

How well are you maintaining your braces during your treatment?

Although the process of adults wearing braces can take longer than for a child, adults are able to make an impact on how long their treatment is by strictly following their treatment plan. Wearing elastics as prescribed or keeping your Invisalign trays in for the recommended daily time and maintaining good oral hygiene during your treatment is especially important.

If you don’t put effort into caring for your braces, you could be extending the amount of time you will need them.

Benefits of Braces for Adults

If you’re wondering if a long time commitment is worth it to you, consider how many benefits there are to braces. Orthodontic treatment can solve issues with chewing food or speech impairment. It can fix overcrowding and spacing issues, overbites and underbites, misaligned jaws, etc. By fixing these issues you will have an easier time cleaning your teeth and reduce the risk of cavities and periodontal disease. That will save you less time and money spent at the dentist in the long run. Braces can also reduce grinding or chipping of teeth and could improve your self-esteem – because beyond having a healthier mouth, you will love your smile.

What to Do Next

Adults can wear braces and braces are worth it to adults (at least, we think so!) If you’re interested, it’s time to get the process going. All you have to do is schedule your complimentary exam with us at any of our locations in Royal Palm Beach, Lake Worth, West Boca, East Boca, Coconut Creek, or Pembroke Pines,—and we’ll take care of the rest.

Your first visit to our office is free and includes a thorough orthodontic exam. One of our experienced orthodontists will examine your current smile, take diagnostic photos and x-rays of your teeth and gums, and explain his or her findings to you! This consultation is no cost, no risk and no obligation.