Straight Teeth - A look at Orthodontic options for adults

Are cooked teeth making you self-conscious? Does the thought of braces conjure up images of a mouth full of metal? Good news - advances in modern orthodontics offer a number of alternatives to traditional braces which can straighten your teeth and have you smiling again!

• Invisalign ® - One of the hottest products in adult orthodontics is the Invisalign system of braces. Not only is this appliance virtually invisible, but you can remove it to eat or brush your teeth!
  
  Invisalign uses clear acrylic aligners - removable devices that snap on to your teeth. You wear each aligner for about 2 weeks, then replace it with a new one that moves your teeth a little closer to proper alignment. It is one of the more expensive orthodontic options, but has become very popular because of its unique advantages.
  
  Those with very minor crowding or spacing problems may be candidates for Invisalign Express - a treatment which can lead to straight teeth in as little as 6 months!
  
  
• Lingual Braces - Lingual braces have metal brackets which attach to the back of your teeth, making them invisible when you smile. Some people experience irritation of the tongue from lingual braces, from a cosmetic standpoint, they're the least noticeable way to straighten your teeth.
  
  
• Invisible (Ceramic) Braces - Also called "clear" braces, the brackets of ceramic braces are made from tooth-colored porcelain. The brackets are held together by metal wire, but they are still much less noticeable than braces with metal brackets. Clear braces are more expensive than traditional braces, but they are also more comfortable.
  
  If you smoke or drink a lot of coffee or tea the ligatures which attach the brackets to the wires can stain, however these are changed each time your braces are adjusted.
  
  
• Traditional Braces - For those with severely misaligned teeth, traditional metal braces may be the best option. Metal braces are also less expensive than the other options.

A visit to your orthodontist can determine if Invisalign® or one of these other types of braces is right for you!