Braces after 25: features of orthodontic treatment for adult patients

Orthodontic treatment gives the best results in childhood. It is easier to correct malocclusion in children, since their jaw and teeth are just developing. However, this does not mean that braces are contraindicated for adults. They can be installed even after 30 years, but the treatment process will be longer. Let's consider its features.

The formation of the dental system ends around 17-18 years, but a child’s permanent bite is formed by 12-13 years. It is best, according to dentists, to install braces at the age of 10-12, when the last molars grow.

In this article

• Should I get braces after 30?
• In what cases should you get braces after 30 years?
• When should you not get braces at 30?
• Braces at 30: features of installation and wearing
• Which braces are best for people over 30?
• How to install braces for adults
• Does it hurt to wear braces?

However, it all depends on individual characteristics. Sometimes doctors suggest waiting a bit for the jaw to form without braces. And in some cases, on the contrary, their immediate installation is required. The need for such treatment is determined primarily by medical indications, and only then by the patient’s wishes.

Should I get braces after 30?

Many people believe that installing braces after 30 years is pointless, dangerous or painful, so they refuse orthodontic treatment. However, it is worth understanding that malocclusion, which can develop in various forms, can cause many complications. Among them:

• Caries, gingivitis and other oral diseases that occur due to poor hygiene and uneven distribution of chewing load.
• Pain in the jaw, which can radiate to the temples and eyebrows, which is a consequence of compression of the nerves and joints.
• Rapid wear of some teeth, abrasion of enamel, loss of teeth.
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract due to poor chewing of food.
• Psychological problems associated with self-esteem and complexes that an ugly smile gives rise to.

Let's consider the indications for which braces are placed even after 30 years.

Types of bracket systems

In modern dentistry, a wide variety of orthodontic systems are used to correct various, including quite serious, malocclusions. Thanks to this, braces can be installed on people of almost any age. The choice of certain braces is made based on the indications, individual characteristics and preferences of the patient.

Comparative characteristics of types of orthodontic systems

Attention! Many older patients prefer the lingual orthodontic system - these are brackets located on the inner surface of the teeth and are completely invisible to others.

In what cases should you get braces after 30 years?

The reason for installing braces at any age is an incorrect bite, which can manifest itself in different ways. Typical signs of this dental problem:

• crowding of teeth and their creeping onto each other;
• large interdental spaces;
• tooth growth to the sides;
• excessive protrusion of one jaw forward;
• large distance between the upper and lower rows of teeth;
• shifting the jaws sideways in opposite directions.

These anomalies are not always noticeable to the naked eye. In some people they are hidden, but at the same time they cause severe discomfort, for example, while eating. In this regard, many refuse to wear braces, getting used to this discomfort. However, it is recommended to undergo orthodontic treatment even in cases where there are malocclusions, but there is no visible aesthetic defect.

Personal experienceBraces in adulthood: Expectations and reality

I decided to get braces at the age of 22, in the spring of this year, after a preventive examination with a general dentist. Outwardly, my imperfections were almost not noticeable, the non-specialized doctor did not have strict recommendations, but I suddenly realized that I wanted (and could!) one day see perfectly straight teeth in the mirror. I thought for a few days and signed up for wisdom teeth removal - this is preparatory work before braces. Removal is the most unpleasant part, but the main thing is to get to the dentist-surgeon’s chair (I got a great one!) and endure the anesthetic injection. After the extraction, the doctor describes in detail what can go wrong, but everything can turn out even better than average: immediately after the removal of the first two teeth, I even went to a party - and the party was great.

In parallel with the extractions, I was looking for an orthodontist. Braces are a long-term treatment, so it is important not to make mistakes with your doctor. As a result, the method of “asking good doctors about other good doctors” helped: I chose an orthodontist on the recommendation of a dental surgeon. It’s funny that after frequent visits to dentists, my “third eye” opened, distinguishing between people with imperfect occlusion. Alas, perfectly straight teeth are almost always the result of correction. Acutely noticing the details around is a so-so superpower, the world has turned into a kind of perfectionist hell, but it seems that this period has passed.

I have noticeable metal braces on my teeth. Firstly, the doctor said that they are effective and unpretentious - transparent mouth guards, for example, need to be worn 22 hours a day, they should be removed while eating, that is, after dinner or lunch out of the house, you need to look for a washbasin and put your jaws in order so that put on a mouthguard. Secondly, truly invisible braces cost several hundred thousand rubles; such an investment in my situation does not seem reasonable.

I hardly feel any everyday inconveniences with braces. Teeth usually do not hurt, but it is better to avoid radishes and whole apples. Braces require careful care of the oral cavity with all sorts of devices, but this is generally useful for everyone, a good habit. I was a little worried about braces due to my profession, since sometimes I have important meetings at work. However, in vain: no one attaches any importance to this, and besides, braces hardly worsen diction (these are not children’s records); on the contrary, they can even improve it. I was pleased with the reaction of my loved ones. A loved one said that braces suit me very well (a dubious, but actually a very nice compliment). Friends praised him for his fortitude. Braces have truly added a healthy amount of self-confidence as a conscious and balanced life choice, and I'm so glad I went for it.

Rationally, braces mean straight teeth and health benefits at the cost of certain organizational efforts and time constraints. But when making a decision on an installation, many are confused by irrational things, reinforced by stereotypes in popular culture: “I’m not a teenager, it’s late, I’ll be like Katya Pushkareva, and everyone will point the finger at me, oh, wasted time...” The strangest thing is that I I heard from this episode: “I would like to get braces... but I can’t, I’m afraid that the lower jaw will change and become too masculine, ugly, oh, I should have done it earlier.” The truth is that you don't wake up a new person after getting braces. Passers-by do not hide their children when they see you on the street, flowers do not wither from your smile, a “crown of celibacy” does not suddenly grow on your head. There are reasonable difficulties in installing braces, it is a serious decision, but prejudices here will not help you make a choice.

Photos: nobeastsofierce - stock.adobe.com, goodween123 - stock.adobe.com, bergamont - stock.adobe.com

When should you not get braces at 30?

There are several more restrictions for installing braces at the age of 30 and later than contraindications for orthodontic treatment in childhood. This is due to the fact that the dental system has already been formed and some defects are difficult or even impossible to correct.

In addition, adults may have crowns or fillings in their mouths that interfere with the placement of orthodontic braces. There are other restrictions. In most cases they are relative:

• serious anatomical changes in the jaws;
• severe wear of crowns;
• the presence of carious cavities and old fillings;
• some diseases of the nervous and cardiovascular systems.

There are few absolute restrictions: HIV, tuberculosis, very weak immunity, etc. Before installing braces in adulthood, longer preparation is required. In general, the process of treating malocclusion in children and adults is practically no different. There are only a few nuances.

Optimal age for correction

There is no age limit in the list of contraindications related to the installation of braces. This means that a person can straighten teeth and correct improper jaw closure, regardless of how old he is.

However, correction of dental anomalies in adult patients has a number of fundamental differences from the treatment of children or adolescents.

So:

1. Longer preparation will be required with the possibility of some teeth being removed.
2. The main correction period lasts much longer (up to 3-3.5 years).
3. The movement of dental units follows the dentoalveolar type.
4. Additional orthodontic devices may be used simultaneously with braces for certain indications.
5. The retention period also increases, and for some patients wearing retainers will be recommended on a permanent basis.

According to experts, the most “valuable” period for orthodontic intervention is considered to be the age of 12-20 years , when the best results can be achieved even with complex maxillofacial anomalies.

This age criterion is associated with the period of active formation of the dentition and the peak of skeletal growth. The effect on the musculoskeletal structure has a maximum effect, and solving problems with occlusion is easier, faster and of better quality. The tendency for re-curvature is minimal.

In a person whose age is approaching his fourth decade, the growth processes in the body stop, and the condition of not only the gum tissue and teeth themselves, but also the body deteriorates.

All this negatively affects the quality, volume and very possibility of treatment. But it is impossible to refuse orthodontic correction in case of pronounced disorders.

Orthodontists insist on its mandatory implementation, regardless of age, since dental anomalies lead to the following consequences:

• early tooth loss;
• exposure of the dental neck;
• premature wear of enamel;
• rapid wear of the mandibular temporal joint;
• periodontitis;
• multiple caries;
• dysfunction of the facial muscles;
• cracking and chipping of the enamel coating;
• the occurrence of pain in the head, back, neck;
• damage to bone and soft tissues in the oral cavity;
• difficulties in restoration and prosthetics of teeth;
• breathing problems;
• changes in diction;
• disruption of the digestive system;
• distortion of facial aesthetics.

Also, refusal of correction may subsequently result in the need to replace your own teeth with prosthetic structures, implants, or long-term expensive treatment. In some cases, neglect of treatment results in complex surgery.

Important! The question of the advisability of orthodontic intervention in older age should be resolved only positively, in the absence of absolute medical contraindications.

Evaluate the results of teeth straightening with braces using photos before and after treatment.

Come here if you are interested in how long you need to wear braces.

At this address https://orto-info.ru/sistemyi-vyiravnivaniya-zubov/breketyi/kak-chistit-osnovnyie-pravila.html we will tell you how to brush your teeth with braces.

Braces at 30: features of installation and wearing

Getting braces at age 30 is not dangerous or painful, but orthodontic treatment in adulthood is not without difficulties. Often people encounter the following problems:

• Long preparation and treatment. Before installing orthodontic structures, all dental diseases must be cured. In adults there may be more of them than in children, so the preparatory stage of treatment can last for several weeks. Many people are interested in how long they need to wear braces if they are installed after 30 years. As practice shows, even minor defects require at least a year to eliminate; sometimes you have to wear braces for 2-3 years.
• It may be necessary to remove some teeth, often figure eights, to create space for the remaining teeth once they are straightened.
• In some cases, it is necessary, on the contrary, to install or replace additional structures, for example, crowns on which the braces will rest.
• It will take a long time to consolidate the result with the help of special means and instruments, otherwise the teeth may return to their original position. This often happens with significant defects.

In other words, an adult who wants to correct an overbite will have to be patient. The treatment will be long, but, according to people who have undergone it, it will be effective and justified.

At what age is it easiest and fastest to get the desired result?

As a rule, an orthodontist will recommend putting braces on a child at the age of 10–12 years, when the formation of the maxillofacial apparatus is completed and the body is in the stage of active growth. But quite often doctors have to carry out corrections for preschoolers using removable orthodontic structures or postpone treatment with braces until they reach 16–18 years of age.

• Faster results of correction in adolescence are explained by greater compliance of the jaw bone.
• In children with baby teeth, the desired result can often be achieved by wearing a removable mouthguard or trainer. In adults, the same devices cope with only the most minor anomalies.
• Moreover, children whose jaw is just developing benefit from massage and specialized gymnastics that train the muscles of the face and tongue.

There are other features that significantly increase the cost and prolongation of orthodontic treatment for adults and even make it impossible.

Which braces are best for people over 30?

There are many varieties of brace systems, which differ from each other in a number of indicators: material of manufacture, strength, aesthetic properties, reliability of fixation, etc. As a rule, the orthodontist offers the patient several types of structures to choose from. When choosing braces, consider the following factors:

• Profession. A person who has to speak in public or often communicate with people can choose plastic, ceramic or sapphire braces: they are almost invisible to others. Lingual systems that are installed on the inner surface of the dentition are also well suited.
• The degree of bite pathology. Severe forms are better corrected with metal staples. In addition, they provide faster correction compared to plastic and ceramic structures.
• Price. The most expensive braces are made from sapphire, and ceramic products are also expensive. If you want to save money, but not at the expense of treatment, choose metal or plastic staples.
• Physical limitations. Lingual braces are more difficult to maintain. For people with disabilities, if they cannot fully care for their oral cavity, it is better to opt for vestibular structures.

But the main factor that determines the choice of braces is medical indications.

Price issue

The financial side of the course of treatment is directly related to the type of braces chosen. The total cost consists of such components as the material used to make the structure, the place and method of fastening, and the actions of the doctor.

In the proposed table, you can study the approximate price of each previously discussed system and find out the total cost of treatment, taking into account all preparatory procedures and control visits.

All indicated figures may change upward or downward, based on the pricing policy of the clinic, its location and status, the qualifications of the doctor, etc.

In the video, a current dentist will complement the information presented above.

How to install braces for adults

Regardless of which system will be installed for the patient, he first undergoes an examination, during which indications and contraindications are determined. The main research method is radiography, which allows you to take pictures of the jaws and make impressions based on them. Next, the oral cavity is sanitized: treatment of dental diseases and ultrasonic cleaning. If necessary, extra teeth – molars or “eights” – are removed.

After preparation, the bracket system is installed. This is done according to the following algorithm:

• teeth are cleaned of plaque, saliva is removed, and the oral cavity is dried;
• the enamel is treated with a special solution, which makes it more susceptible to glue;
• An adhesive composition is applied to the surface of the tooth crown, and cement is applied to the bracket lock;
• the clasps are fixed on the teeth, after which they are dried with an ultraviolet lamp;
• excess glue is removed with a solvent;
• An arch is threaded into the braces, which corrects the bite by applying pressure to the jaw.

Installation can be direct or indirect. In the first case, each clasp is glued to one tooth; in the second, the dentist creates a structure on a mock-up of the jaw, and then transfers it to the patient’s oral cavity.

The arc has a memory effect and gradually begins to return to the shape that was given to it during the modeling of the structure. Due to this, tooth displacement occurs. Periodically, the arch is tightened to increase pressure on the dentition. This continues for 1-3 years, it all depends on the success of the treatment.

Braces: what the system consists of and how it works

A brace, as you probably already know very well, is an overlay on a tooth with fasteners or micro-locks, in the grooves of which a metal arch is held. Braces are secured to the tooth with a special dental compound. They are placed in such a way as to control the displacement of teeth in the desired direction, which is set by the arch.

Correction of the bite is initiated by an arch with a “memory effect”. Fixed to the teeth, it strives to return to its previous shape, pulling the braces fixed to the teeth. This corrects the position of the ligaments and roots of the teeth, and stimulates the development of one of the jaws in relation to the other.

Does it hurt to wear braces?

Before installing orthodontic structures, people often wonder if it hurts to put on and wear braces. Painful sensations during the procedure occur only with increased sensitivity of the gums and teeth. To relieve the patient of discomfort, the doctor may give an anesthetic injection.

Pain during wearing braces usually only bothers you during the adaptation period, that is, in the first 5-15 days. If you do not eat hard foods, the pain will be mild. Pain medications are rarely needed.

For treatment to proceed without complications, the patient needs to change his diet and carefully monitor hygiene. You will have to limit yourself in the use of certain products and purchase special products for cleaning the oral cavity: a toothbrush with V-shaped bristles (CURAPROX Ortho), a brush (Biorepair Scovolini Interdentali Cilindrici), dental floss (Mirafloss implant chx), rinses (Biorepair Mouthwash) and irrigator (Little Doctor International Ltd Aquajet LD-A7, Donfeel Donfeel OR-820D Compact). You will need to see your doctor every few months to have the archwire tightened.

In general, it is safe to get braces after 30 years of age. However, they often have no alternative, so they will have to choose: either not try to solve the problems caused by malocclusion, or be patient a little and get a healthy and beautiful smile.

Adult systems

The modern market has a wide range of designs that differ in material, location and method of fastening. When selecting a corrective device model for an adult, paramount importance is given to the characteristics of the clinical case and his personal requirements.

Unligated

In orthodontics, non-ligating (self-ligating) braces are an improved model of the classic version of the corrective apparatus. From the name it is clear that these designs do not have ligatures - a wire or rubber element connecting the power arc to the locks.

Unlike classic models of braces, in ligature-free systems the arch is secured using special clips or locks with caps, which means it is not rigidly fixed in the grooves of the plates, and “slides” freely in them.

This change reduced the force on uneven teeth. Correction of problem units is more delicate, gentle and natural. They move to the correct position without additional load.

Dental correction occurs by stimulating the work of the periodontal muscles. A “synergy effect” is created when the result consists of the joint activity of the soft tissues of the oral cavity and the orthodontic device.

Based on design changes, the systems are endowed with the following advantages:

• the number of follow-up visits to the doctor and the duration of the course are reduced;
• the likelihood of developing complications is reduced through the use of passive ligation;
• the quality of everyday hygiene improves;
• treatment is more comfortable, thanks to the exquisite design, small size and smooth external profile;
• the oral mucosa and soft tissues are not injured;
• there is no discomfort and pain due to reduced pressure on the teeth;
• the appearance is more aesthetic.

Non-ligature devices have only one drawback - high cost when compared with classic corrective devices. This fact is explained by the complexity and specificity of the working mechanism. In addition, due to its greater complexity, the system cannot be installed in all clinics.

To make models, materials are used that do not react with salivary fluid, namely: ceramics, metal, sapphire, composite.

It is important to note that the duration of treatment with the structures under consideration is on average 25-30% lower than the period of correction with classical devices.

Lingual

Lingual braces are those that are attached to the teeth on the lingual side. Their appearance made a revolution in orthodontics, eliminating the main disadvantage of classical structures - visibility to others.

The advantages of lingual braces are the following:

• absolutely invisible to others;
• when creating, 3D modeling technology is used, when the result of the correction can be seen even before it begins;
• the doctor can make adjustments at any stage of treatment;
• successful treatment of complex cases of malocclusion;
• short adaptation period.

There are also disadvantages, namely:

• complex and lengthy installation process;
• oral hygiene becomes more difficult;
• during the adaptation period there is discomfort, problems with speech, with eating;
• it is necessary to visit the orthodontist frequently;
• high cost of the system.

Important: the installation of the devices in question is contraindicated in cases of severe crowding of the frontal units, low coronal parts, or problems with the mandibular joint.

Correction with internal braces takes about 20-30% longer than with conventional braces.

Ceramic

Structures made from ceramics are classified as aesthetic products. They are practically invisible on the teeth, since the shade of the material is selected in accordance with the tone of the enamel coating.

Installation shown if available:

• simple occlusion defects;
• distortions of facial features caused by incorrect closure of the jaw arches;
• incorrect placement of one or a small group of teeth in a row;
• speech defects associated with malocclusion.

The advantages include the following indicators:

1. The result is stable.
2. Sufficient reliability of the entire structure.
3. The likelihood of damage to tissues and mucous membranes is minimal.
4. There is no need to visit the doctor frequently.
5. Good aesthetic characteristics.
6. The adaptation period is short.

Despite their popularity, the devices have a number of disadvantages that are important to consider:

1. They require careful wearing , changes in diet, and breaking the habit of certain habits due to the insufficient strength of ceramics (if the material is compared with metal).
2. Treatment takes longer than with metal devices.
3. High price.

Ceramic devices are usually installed for a period of 2-2.5 years (based on the patient’s age and the severity of the defect).

The first results can be visually assessed after 2 months. from the date of placement of braces.

Sapphire

This is a type of system for the manufacture of which an artificially grown sapphire crystal was used. Essentially, this material is a single crystal of aluminum oxide. Sapphire is hypoallergenic and absolutely safe for humans.

In design and operating principle, sapphire models are identical to classic devices made from other materials. Designs are prescribed for simple malocclusions and tooth position.

Important: sapphire models are more suitable for patients with a white enamel coating. With a naturally yellowish tint, the aesthetics of the structure are reduced due to its visibility on the teeth.

Advantages:

1. Durability exceeds that of ceramic models.
2. High aesthetic characteristics.
3. They do not rub the mucous membrane, do not injure enamel and soft tissues.
4. Easy to install.
5. Sapphire parts do not become cloudy over time and are resistant to food coloring.
6. After removing the structure, no traces of presence are found on the enamel.
7. During the period of adaptation, the manifestations of pain and discomfort are insignificant.
8. The correction efficiency is high.

A significant disadvantage of these braces is their high cost. Models are more expensive than metal and ceramic ones. In addition, sapphire is not strong enough, so there is a risk of breakage if the operating rules are not followed.

Corrective devices made of sapphire are installed for a longer period than analog products made of other materials. The average time to correct a simple defect is 1 year.

Types of braces

Despite the fact that the arsenal of orthodontic devices has been expanded in recent years, installing braces remains the most effective way to correct malocclusion in adolescent and adult patients.

The braces remain, but their “appearance” has changed for the better. Of course, there are still classic metal devices, reliable and budget-friendly, but noticeable on the teeth. However, an alternative has appeared - these are ceramic and sapphire braces. The locks in these designs are made of medical ceramics or transparent crystals. Such devices are no less effective, but do not attract unnecessary attention.

Moreover, invisible orthodontic devices have been created - lingual braces. Arches and locks are not visible to anyone except the orthodontist, because they are fixed from the inside of the dentition. Lingual braces operate on the principle of vestibular devices. But their cost is 4–5 times higher than standard metal braces.

Braces are an effective, although not quick, option for correcting malocclusion: treatment lasts on average 1.5–2 years. Once every 2–4 weeks you need to visit the dentist to correct the position of the device. However, the result is worth all the effort: the jaws close correctly, the teeth are straight and beautiful.