Dr. Christopher Pescatore
Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry
Creating Beautiful Smiles
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What You Should Know About Getting Braces as an Adult

In Orthodontics April 20, 2022

While straight teeth can help you feel more confident in your appearance, a well-aligned smile is important for more than just dental aesthetics. Having straight teeth can also make it easier to take care of your oral health and help you avoid dental issues in the future.

Although many teens wear braces to address dental misalignment, getting braces as an adult can be just as effective as wearing them earlier in life. It’s normal to have reservations about orthodontic treatment at any age; however, there are many reasons to consider braces to correct misaligned teeth. Modern dentistry offers a variety of options for patients looking to straighten their teeth, and after researching them, you might find that the potential benefits outweigh your doubts.

Read on for a few essential tips about getting braces as an adult:

1. There Are Multiple Options

If you are considering braces as an adult, you have multiple options. You can opt for traditional metal braces, or you might select porcelain braces that function like metal braces but are much sheerer.

If you’re worried about the visibility of your braces, you can also opt for clear aligners like Invisalign. They are nearly invisible and can be removed while you eat, meaning you don’t have to worry about missing out on your favorite meals.

2. Braces Can Help You Improve Oral Hygiene

When you have misaligned teeth, it can be easy to focus on how they impact your appearance. However, misaligned teeth can also make it difficult to eat or speak properly. Teeth that are overlapping or tightly packed also make it easier to get food particles stuck between your teeth, placing you at higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Although it may take time to adjust to cleaning your teeth with braces, they can assist you in maintaining healthy teeth for the long haul. After orthodontic treatment, your newly straightened teeth will be easier to brush and floss, which helps to avoid tartar and plaque buildup.

3. Improved Convenience

Getting braces may be more convenient than you think! Most dental and orthodontic offices are equipped with advanced diagnostic tools and treatments tailored to your unique needs. Speak to your doctor about potential strategies to make your orthodontic treatment as efficient and effective as possible. For example, you may be able to schedule virtual appointments for quick check-ups or have your clear aligners mailed to your home to limit trips to the dental office.

4. You Won’t Wear Braces Forever

If you’re considering braces, you might be concerned that you’ll have to wear them for a long time. However, this often isn’t the case. Improvements to orthodontic techniques and technologies consistently support improved results and faster treatment times. In general, most adult patients wear braces for an average of 14 to 26 months.

5. Enhanced Confidence

Confidence matters a lot regardless of your age. Straighter teeth can help you look forward to showing off your smile in social situations, helping you feel more comfortable talking, smiling, and laughing. After braces, you might also be more eager to take pictures, enjoying every opportunity to flash your smile with confidence.

Consider Braces at Any Age

Don’t let fears or misconceptions stand in the way of achieving a smile you love. If you didn’t have braces as a teenager, or your teeth have shifted after an initial round of orthodontic treatment, it’s not too late to get the straight teeth of your dreams. If you’re seeking solutions to misaligned teeth, contact your dentist today to see if braces are an ideal option for you.

The post What You Should Know About Getting Braces as an Adult first appeared on Dental Signal.
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Testimonials

Dr. Pescastore,

I just had to take a minute to let you know how much me and my family appreciate everything you have done for us. When we met in 2001 I was honestly anxious about the work I needed to have done. I was nervous about the results and also about the potential pain it might take to achieve the smile I wanted. You were so thorough in your evaluation of my extensive dental history and so clear in your explanation of the procedures required that I felt confident to take your recommendations and trust my smile to you. I have never regretted that decision. I am so grateful for the way you and your wonderful staff made every appointment as easy and comfortable as it could possibly have been. I was always happy to be going there knowing I would be treated so well and love the results. I still feel the same way, and look forward to my appointments with you and your caring staff. I really enjoy the spa like feeling and always leave there more relaxed than when I arrived. My friends are always surprised to learn that I look forward to my dentist appointments as they are lamenting about theirs.

I am especially grateful for the way you have treated my daughters. They too had many dentists before you and were nervous about going to the dentist. Thanks to you and Stacey and the rest of your wonderful staff they now share my feeling about going to the dentist and are happy to be there. Brooke is so afraid of needles that even at seventeen years old she still cries if she thinks she might get a shot at the doctors office. She was very nervous before her first appointment with you, in spite of mine and her sisters assurance that it really wouldn't hurt. Thank you for proving us right. Now even Brooke is not afraid to go to the dentist. I also want you to know how grateful I am for the emergency care you gave Sadie when she chipped her front tooth. I really appreciate you changing your own plans for the day to help her. She was so upset about the way her tooth looked that she cried all the way to your office. She, like me, left your office that day feeling great about herself and her smile. You have really made a positive difference in our lives and we are all so grateful to you for it. We all look forward to seeing you and your great team for our future dental needs.

With Great Respect and Many Thanks,

Pennie Gaddis

I look back at old photographs and realize I spent years hiding teeth. I had braces in my 30s and made the mistake of having my orthodontist apply veneers to my discolored, misshapen teeth. I was his first veneers patient, and I learned that when you're having cosmetic dentistry done, you should have a cosmetic dentist do it. When I decided to have those veneers replaced, I found an expert Dr. Pescatore. In fact, it was just a few weeks before my wedding that I asked Dr. Pescatore to do my smile makeover. I trusted him completely and knew from my first appointment that I was in good hands. He impressed me with his concern that my veneers look natural, and they do. My smile is huge in my wedding pictures, not only because I had a new husband but also because I had fabulous new teeth! I'm grateful to Dr. Pescatore and his caring, attentive staff for what they did for me. I finally have the smile I'd always wanted.

Evelyn Dalton

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