Earlier, braces were considered to be designed for teenagers only. Today, in the time of the boom in cosmetic dentistry, more adult people consider wearing braces to improve their teeth. Some adults even like to wear braces at the same time their children do!

However, wearing braces is usually a more complicated and prolonged process for adults than for teens, as at a young age, jaw bones are still growing and permanent teeth have recently emerged. Sometimes, older people may have to have jaw surgery as part of their treatment, but it happens very seldom. Adults often have other dental problems, such as gum disease, that may require treatment before braces can be attached; plaque build-up and gum disease may be exacerbated by some forms of orthodontics.

What types of braces are available for adults?

Wearing fixed braces, the traditional kind that is fixed to teeth, usually takes 9 to 30 months, regardless of your age. After the fixed braces are removed, all patients have to use a retainer for about half a year, daily, and then only at night for some years. This retainer is a removable device that keeps teeth from moving to their initial positions. Adult people may need to wear it for a longer period of time than younger people.

Although wearing braces has become a common thing, still most people try to hide the metal device when they smile or laugh. Luckily, cosmetic dentistry offers such variants as ceramic or "tooth-colored" braces; lingual braces placed behind the teeth; and "clear," removable "braces" such as Invisalign®. Regardless of the type you chose, fixed braces, as a rule, have to be fitted every five to eight weeks, it depend on the stage of treatment. If you use Invisalign®, which includes a series of removable clear trays, you will need to visit your doctor less frequently.

The most available types of braces are:

• Metal or "traditional" braces
  

  They can be of different colors, even gold-plated variants. It is the most affordable type of braces. One of the advantages is that they are strong and break quite seldom, so you won’t waste your time for unplanned visits to the doctor. You won’t suffer from staining. "Speed" braces, a type of bracket that locks onto the wire, are up to 40% faster and are more hygienic than permanent types since elastic bands generally used to fit the wire to the tooth bracket are removed. However, speed braces are more expensive and not as widely available yet.
  
  

• Ceramic or "tooth-colored" braces
  

  Although these braces blend into the teeth, they can become discolored from wine or coffee. They are considered to be more comfortable than metal braces. They are an available type as speed braces as well.
  
  
  
  
  

• Invisalign® or "clear" braces
  

  Using these removable plastic trays for crooked teeth improvement, people must wear each tray in the series for the prescribed period of time to get the best results. You won’t have problems with food sticking between teeth with this type of braces because no brackets or wires are applied. Wearing Invisalign® usually takes as much time as ceramic or metal braces, except in patients with serious dental problems, but this type can be more expensive. You have to visit your doctor less frequently using this type.
  
  

• Lingual braces
  

  These braces are usually made of metal and fit behind the teeth, on the tongue side. The benefit is that they are not visible, however, they may hamper talking and are more expensive than other types of braces.