While many adults choose to straighten their smile with braces, for some, adult braces isn’t the most ideal option.
Adult Braces Alternatives
Whether you’re looking for something that’s faster, less visible, or more affordable, there are several popular alternatives to braces that might suit your needs.
Of course, consulting with your orthodontist is the best way to determine what works best for you.
Here are three of the most popular alternatives for adults:
Invisalign
One of the most popular alternatives to adult braces is Invisalign.
They’re clear and removable, so you can straighten your teeth discreetly and remove your aligners completely for things like eating or cleaning your teeth.
For certain types of misalignment, or for teeth that need more drastic correction, Invisalign might not be a viable option, though.
Some people choose to correct their most serious alignment problems with metal braces, then switch to invisible aligners once the most extreme issues are resolved.
Veneers
For some cosmetic concerns, braces may not be the best fix.
Veneers are sometimes called caps because they fit over your teeth to give you a bright, attractive smile.
To apply veneers, your dentist will generally remove a thin layer of tooth enamel, and then the veneers are fixed to your teeth with a light-sensitive resin.
Unlike braces, veneers can change the overall appearance of your teeth to correct things like discoloration, chips and fractures, worn down teeth, and other problems with tooth shape and condition.
It takes a short amount of time to improve your smile with veneers – usually about two weeks or two treatments.
The caps aren’t completely permanent, though.
You’ll probably need maintenance or replacements in about 10 years, although with meticulous care, some veneer recipients go for 20 years without needing professional attention.
Six Month Smiles
For minor misalignment issues, Six Month Smiles may be an option.
This method still uses brackets, but those brackets are clear, and rather than metal, wires are the same color as your teeth.
Like Invisalign, Six Month Smiles is suitable for adults who prefer to avoid the appearance of traditional metal braces, and it’s not a good option for severe misalignment or bite irregularities.