If you’ve always wanted to have straighter teeth and a healthier smile, consider adult braces, which can help you achieve these oral health goals, whether you’re in your 30s, 40s, or even 50s (or older). You won’t be alone, either. As a 2024 article published in the medical journal Nature points out, adults comprise one in three orthodontic patients (as of 2022).

Orthodontic treatment can help correct teeth alignment and bite problems (also called “malocclusion”), regardless of a person’s age.

To that end, the compassionate team at Graber & Gyllenhaal Orthodontics, our orthodontics office serving families throughout Chicago, including Glenview and Vernon Hills, IL, put together this guide. We’ll explore teeth alignment solutions for adults, the many benefits of adult braces, and how they work to promote not just better oral health but overall well-being, too.

Adult Braces Options

At Graber & Gyllenhaal Orthodontics, you can expect multiple treatment options that go beyond traditional metal braces from our Chicago orthodontists. We specialize in:

• Miniature silver braces
• Clear braces
• Invisalign clear aligners

Offering varied treatments allows our good doctors to provide our adult and young patients with options matched to their specific goals and unique needs. We also offer a free consultation, in which we can explain your options and the cost of adult braces in more detail.

How Adult Braces Work

There are two main types of braces: fixed and removable. Fixed braces at Graber & Gyllenhaal Orthodontics include miniature silver braces and clear braces. Our removable orthodontic treatment option includes Invisalign.

Fixed Braces

Fixed braces consist of brackets, archwires, and elastic ligatures. If you go for this option, your Chicago orthodontist will glue a bracket onto each tooth using specialized dental adhesive. They will then insert an archwire to connect the brackets and fix the wire in place with elastic ligatures.

Fixed adult braces apply gentle pressure onto the teeth, causing them to gradually move to more ideal locations. Your orthodontist needs to adjust the pressure every month or so to ensure the teeth keep moving to the desired positions.

The primary difference between miniature silver braces and clear or invisible braces for adults is their appearance. The former is more prominent (although less noticeable than traditional metal braces, whose brackets are bigger). Clear braces are more discreet, as they use tooth-colored or clear ceramic brackets.

Removable Aligners

If you’re looking for the most subtle way to straighten your teeth, consider Invisalign treatment. Introduced in 1997, it revolutionized the clear aligner market through its tailor-made, virtually invisible aligners, also called “trays.”

Like fixed braces, the primary goal of Invisalign is to move the teeth to more desirable locations using gentle pressure. Unlike silver or clear braces, though, Invisalign applies this pressure through removable, see-through trays that fit snugly over the teeth.

To achieve the desired results, you’d need to wear your Invisalign trays at least 20 to 22 hours daily. Your Chicago orthodontist will also instruct you on when to swap them out for the next pair.

The number of trays you’ll need depends on the type and severity of your malocclusion or teeth misalignment. You may only need as few as six pairs if you have a minor issue, or around 14 to 26 for moderate concerns. Your Chicago orthodontist may need you to wear 30 or more if you have a severe case, though.

The Benefits of Adult Braces

Some adults choose to get braces to enhance their smile. Many others, however, can reap oral and overall health benefits by undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Reduced Risk of Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

The U.S. CDC says that 96% of adults 65 and older have had tooth decay at some point in their lifetime. If left untreated, it can lead to pain and permanent tooth loss.

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is another prevalent, often painful oral condition. Ignoring this problem can also result in the loss of teeth. The National Institute of Health says nearly half of U.S. adults have some form of gum disease.

Several factors can cause both conditions, one of which is poor oral hygiene. It promotes plaque and tartar buildup, which is why it’s crucial to brush your pearly whites at least twice daily and floss your teeth at least once a day.

Unfortunately, having misaligned teeth, particularly severe crookedness, can make proper, thorough brushing more challenging. Their “bad” positions create more crevices and places where plaque can form and harden into tartar.

Since adult braces correct teeth and jaw alignment, they can help make it easier to clean your pearly whites. The cleaner you keep your teeth and gums, the lower their odds of developing painful conditions.

Improved Biting and Chewing

Misaligned teeth are more prone to sustaining damage. They can get the brunt of the force when you bite or chew, making them susceptible to accidental injury, such as cracking or chipping.

Well-aligned teeth and jaws allow for the even distribution of force over the teeth, which then helps improve biting and chewing power. The ability to bite and chew properly can lower the risk of premature wear and tear on your pearly whites.

Improved biting and chewing can also assist with better food digestion since the teeth can break down whatever you eat into smaller, more even pieces. Smaller food particles are easier to digest and allow for better nutrient absorption.

Conversely, misaligned teeth can result in poor chewing. According to a study published in the journal MDPI, inadequate chewing can give rise to digestive issues.

Say Hello to Healthier, Straighter Teeth

Adult braces can help you achieve straighter, healthier teeth. With properly aligned teeth and jaws, you can reduce your odds of experiencing tooth decay or gum disease, as you’ll have an easier time brushing and flossing your pearly whites. You can also enjoy better chewing and biting once you have your bite aligned.

Graber & Gyllenhaal Orthodontics, our family-focused orthodontic practice with two convenient locations in Glenview and Vernon Hills, IL, is happy to help. Our good doctors are proud to bring 75 years of combined exceptional orthodontic expertise to our patients, whether they’re 7 or 87 years old. We look forward to doing the same for you and your family.

Contact us today to schedule your free consultation!