Orthodontic treatments are much more than esthetic procedures; they are healthcare. And most of the time, orthodontic appliances seek the well-being of patients.

Our point is: There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to look better. You can be interested in getting aligners because you would like a perfect smile, or you require aligners because your bite is off, and that affects your jawbone. Both are valid.

Almost everyone has had Irvine orthodontic appliances (braces, ceramic braces, clear aligners, etc.) for whatever reason. Being born with a perfect denture is just very uncommon.

The fact is: the ‘whys’ don’t matter. If experts agree that you need treatment, it will surely be good for you. For example, misaligned or crooked teeth are more difficult to clean. Therefore they contribute to the appearance of cavities.

Healthy mouths and dentures don’t only look better; they work better.

How Do Orthodontic Treatments Work?

This question asks for a complex answer. We are going to try and keep it short and concise. Orthodontics mostly focuses on your denture’s functioning and teeth’s alignment. To achieve this, doctors use different techniques and devices such as retainers, brackets, archwires, plastic aligners, and more.

Treatments usually aim to fix any misalignment your denture has, straighten your bite, and give your mouth an overall better look. These results can be found by applying pressure or force on your teeth over long periods.

Whether you are under traditional braces or invisible aligners, you’ll have your teeth fixed in a specific position for 2 to 3 weeks each time.

The procedure will continue until your denture finally sits in the desired alignment.

Common braces with metal wires push your teeth, and clear aligners press them.

What Is the Best Age to Get Braces?

Teenagers are the perfect candidates for orthodontic appliances in Irvine & Orange, CA. While children’s mandibles are still developing, grownups are rigid. During our teen years, our dentures are mature enough to be submitted to orthodontic procedures but also bland and continuously moving.

An early visit to the orthodontist prevents complex misalignment issues in adults. You can avoid pain and discomfort by regularly visiting your nearest doctor.

If you didn’t get any orthodontic work during your teenage years, that does not mean that you can’t get it later as an adult. No matter how difficult the problem may seem, the experts will always know how to help.

Can Adults Use Traditional Braces?

Yes. Totally. Of course. Again: you are never too old to improve your health. It is true, however, that some procedures may be more complicated to treat as an adult than as a teenager. Some cases might require surgery, but those are a minority.

You ought to know that depending on the issues you want to correct, the treatment can last a little longer than what would be usual for younger patients. Nevertheless, procedures with fixed appliances generally have a two-year length.

If you do not have severe issues with your denture, your treatment will probably be smooth and fast. Maybe you can even be a candidate for clear aligners and forget about metal or ceramic brackets. Remember: Orthodontics for adults exists.

Can Adults Use Invisalign?

The answer is yes. A doctor will have to check your teeth and analyze your case before you know a definite answer, though.

Adults often make the best profiles for Invisalign molds since they don’t usually have critical issues with their dentures. If you’ve had orthodontic appliances before, you are most likely to be a patient with mild misalignment details.

Having mild or moderate imperfections also means good news since the treatments tend to be a lot shorter.

If you do have a complicated case because you didn’t ever visit the orthodontist, or you did have the treatment, and somehow your teeth moved, it doesn’t mean that you are not a candidate for Invisalign.

Clear aligners like Invisalign can correct the following:

• Moderately crooked teeth: this is when one or several teeth appear rotated from the canonical position in which they should be placed.
• Mildly crowded teeth: this is when your denture lacks space between your teeth, causing them to misplace and move one another.
• Malocclusion: this is the diagnosis if your upper teeth do not fit or match your lower teeth, deriving in chewing problems and jaw pain.
• Spacing problems: commonly seen as separated front teeth.

What Are The Costs of Braces Vs Invisalign?

The prices for these two procedures tend to be very close depending on the patient’s needs. Let’s make a comparison of each one of them.

What Is The Cost of Traditional Metal Braces?

Keep in mind that there are various forms of braces. In this article, we will be referencing the classic ones: metal brackets with metal wires and arch wires.

The cost of this treatment starts a little lower than prices for clear aligners. Numbers move from $2.000 to $8.000. In general, you can make fractionated payments for this procedure. Know the length of treatment is usually up to 2 years.

We also recommend that you check dental insurance plans.

What Is The Cost of Invisible Aligners?

Invisalign has a price that goes from $3.000 to $8.000. The cost of the aligners will depend on the number of plastic molds your denture will need, and this will be determined by the goals you and your doctor set.

People often assume that clear aligners will be expensive in comparison to more traditional treatments, but the truth is that you cannot know this for sure until you consult with a dental expert.

Meet Our Dental Specialists

Whether you want to know which treatment is better for you or you want to go for traditional orthodontic appliances, set an appointment with our Irvine orthodontists and learn more about prices, lengths, and results for your case.