Why Adults Need Braces
Most adults figure that if they’ve lived with their teeth this long—then what’s the point of getting braces now?
After all, aren’t braces just for kids? What benefits could an adult get from braces after they’re done growing?
Nearly 1 in 4 orthodontic patients are above the age of 18…does that surprise you? With adult orthodontic care being easier, cheaper and more effective than it’s ever been, the number of adult patients will surely only increase with time.
Read below to discover why more and more adults are finally making the choice to get braces for themselves.
Many adults didn’t get braces when they were kids. It may have been something that wasn’t financially possible for their parents or just wasn’t a priority at the time.
Others may have had braces when they were younger but don’t like the way their smiles turned out (it probably has something to do with years of not wearing retainers and having their teeth shift).
Whatever the case, one third of all American adults aren’t happy with their smile.
Some adults can, and do, get by without a straight and healthy smile…
But the truth is, living with misaligned teeth and an unhealthy bite can cause some serious dental and general health issues that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
“Getting By” With Crooked Teeth May Get Even More Expensive
Adults often put off fixing their teeth and bite to avoid the cost of treatment (and perhaps because they’re crooked teeth are just a cosmetic issue). This decision, while in the short term may seem to save money…
…could come with seriously high long-term costs.
Adults with misaligned teeth and an unhealthy bite may also have problems that won’t be noticed at first, including night-time grinding, clenching, and excessive wear and tear on their teeth.
What appears to be a small bite problem early on may lead to irreversible bite and tooth damage.
These problems, when left unchecked, may require time-consuming and costly dental procedures including:
- Gum surgery (Average cost is $2000)
- Root canals (Over $1000 per tooth)
- Bone grafts and dental implants (Usually over $3000)
- Cosmetic dental procedures (Starting at $1500 per tooth)
Tooth and bite problems can be corrected at nearly any age. By correcting them as an adult, you may be saving yourself years of expensive and painful dental procedures later in life.
Example of an adult patient worn and chipped teeth due to a bite.
An Unhealthy Bite Can Be a Pain In the Neck (or in the head?)
There are certain tooth and bite relationships that can actually cause chronic headaches and neck pain.
While not every type of headache is caused by a bad bite…
...there are many adults living with chronic headaches or migraines caused by tooth or bite problems.
A balanced and stable bite not only looks better but also functions better.
Uneven or unstable bites, meanwhile, can cause…
- Muscle soreness in the jaw and neck
- Pain and tenderness in the jaw joints
- And even ear pain
These symptoms may not be present now, but can pop up later in life, either unexpectedly or during times of high stress or anxiety.
The bottom line is, a healthy smile and bite is anything but “just cosmetic”.
Let’s Face It—First Impressions Matter
Like it or not, appearance matters.
In fact, individuals with straight teeth are 45% more likely to get a job than someone with similar qualifications and crooked teeth.
One third of Americans indicate that a person’s smile is the first thing that they notice and the facial characteristic that they remember most after meeting.
The way we look and present ourselves has a big impact on how we are perceived. Adults with straight teeth are 57% more likely to get a date and are judged as being…
Healthier Happier, and More Trustworthy …than those with crooked teeth.
While it’s true that looks aren’t everything (and though we may not like the findings from these statistics), basic human behavior such as this isn’t likely to change…
The studies clearly show that adults with straight and healthy smile are at an advantage both professionally and personally.
Am I Too Old For Braces?
With record numbers of adults getting braces, it’s more clear than ever that it’s never too late to make this investment in your health, your confidence, and your happiness.
There are comfortable, nice-looking , or even nearly invisible treatment options available that can fit any lifestyle…
With adult braces becoming more affordable year by year, there’s no reason to let your smile hold you back!
Now that you better understand why adults need braces, we’ll discuss the alternative options adults have to the traditional metal braces of the past.
Read Chapter 2 to find out more!
Schedule a Free Adult Braces Consultation
You can schedule a 100% free consultation with Premier Orthodontics to find out:
At your initial exam and consultation you’ll discover:
How long your braces treatment will take The type of braces that would work best How much the treatment will cost 
