Braces for Young Adults

As a young adult, having braces is probably not on your list of high-priority items. The thought of getting braces likely hasn’t even crossed your mind. However, more and more adults have been getting braces in Vancouver, and on average 1 in 5 orthodontic patients are adults. While you may think that braces are for teenagers or that you don’t need to look like a brace face right now, do know that the process has become more than just putting metal in your mouth.

For starters, there are various treatment options to suit your budget and needs. If you don’t want traditional metal braces because of aesthetics, you can choose Invisalign, ceramic brackets, or lingual braces. You’ve likely heard of Invisalign before, and there’s a reason for that.

When Invisalign first entered the market, they were revolutionizing the way people experienced braces. The use of removable, customized “invisible” aligners to move your teeth met the needs of people who wanted the process to be subtle. Invisalign continues to be a great option for those who can take on the responsibility of following a schedule and not losing their aligners (they can be expensive to replace)!

Another option is the use of ceramic brackets, which clearish-white and blend in well with your natural teeth colour. You wouldn’t see younger patients with ceramic brackets because they are more delicate, so they are a perfect alternative to metal brackets for young adults. Alternatively, you can choose to have lingual braces, which are metal brackets attached to the inner side of your teeth. This allows you to go through your treatment process without your brackets being visible to anyone!

Even if you opt for the traditional metal braces, you can still accelerate your treatment duration with readily available technology. For example, there’s a device called the Propel Excellerator that stimulates the root of your teeth to encourage faster movement of your teeth. That way, your teeth can become aligned in a shorter amount of time.

There’s also the Propel VPro5, a take-home kit that also encourages more movement of your teeth. Studies have also shown these movements help the bones retain the teeth’s new position better than without these technologies.

Whatever approach you take to your braces treatment, remember you should choose what you are most comfortable with. The team at PacificWest Dental will provide you with all the information you require to support you in making your decision.

Dr Wang

Dr. Wang, DDS, MSc, FRCD(C)

ORTHODONTIST

Orthodontic specialist, founder of PacificWest Dental Group. Helping people get the perfect smile since 1994!

Dr Kevin

Dr. Kevin Lee, DMD, MSc, FRCD(C)

ORTHODONTIST

Specialist in Orthodontics, UBC alumni. Love helping patients get a beautiful smile. Part-time clinical instructor at UBC. 

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