Do Adults Have to Wear Braces for Longer than Children?

It is said that people of all ages can enjoy braces to straighten their teeth and improve their smiles. This means that teens and adults can both get braces if needed. However, some myths spawned around braces, particularly in the realm of braces for adults. For example, many have claimed that braces aren't effective in adults. Such claims, fortunately, are all untrue. It is less the person's age that will affect the procedure and more the orthodontic situation!

That said, one claim suggests that adults will have to wear braces for much longer than younger individuals. Is this true? Let us find out together:

Do Adults Have to Wear Braces for Longer Periods?

Generally, adults will have to wear braces for a little longer than their younger counterparts. This is because the bones in an adult's jaw are much more rigid and heal a little slower. Due to this, an adult can expect to wear their adult braces for longer. However, as we mentioned earlier, it is less about the person's age and more the orthodontic factors that play a much more significant role in how long an individual has to wear braces.

For example, if an adult showed up with a minor orthodontic issue versus a teenager coming for braces with major orthodontic problems, the adult will always complete the procedure faster. Also, another factor falls in how well the braces are taken care of, where the better the care given, the sooner the braces can be removed.

Simply put, age doesn't matter when it comes to saying that "adults have to wear braces for longer." The severity of the orthodontic issues significantly affects how long the braces are to be worn, and in different individuals, such severity levels will differ significantly.

How Long Do I Have to Wear Braces?

With all of that said, you might be wondering how long exactly you will need to be wearing your braces. Again, it is dependent on the orthodontic problems you are facing. As a rule of thumb, severe orthodontic problems can take around three years to fix, while minor issues can be fixed in two years or even less. As such, you can expect your procedure to be completed anywhere around two to three years. Be aware that, although three years is generally the maximum time you will wear braces, it can go a little longer depending on your age, diet, and other factors.

Note that these times only apply if you take care of your braces well. In other words, if you do not care for your braces properly, you will end up wearing them for a significant amount of time!

Conclusion

All in all, your decision to get braces shouldn't be based on how long it will take. That's because, regardless of whether it takes two or three years, you'll get to enjoy perfectly straight teeth that will help you smile positively and feel much more confident in yourself! That said, there are multiple types of brace solutions you can try out, and you should always consult your dentist about the procedure. This way, you get to listen to the dentist's advice and pick the proper treatment to get the results you want!

24/7 Emergency Dental Clinic is a dental clinic in Edmonton, offering a wide variety of dental services, including teeth whitening, fixed bridges, dental implants, and more. If you are looking for braces to improve your smile, book an appointment with us today!

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