What are Short Term Orthodontics, and Who do they Work for?

In this day and age, most adults don’t get excited by the idea of fixing cosmetic dental issues with traditional, metal braces. It makes a lot of sense! It’s a big time commitment, and there are certainly some social perceptions to be overcome — even though braces would totally look good on you! (we promise — they look good on anyone).

First thing’s first: Short Term Orthodontics only work for adults with a fully developed jaw and mouth. We understand that this might be bad news for any teenagers out there looking for some sort of reassurance that they might talk their parents out of going down the route of traditional orthodontics — fear not, it’s just like we told you — there’s nothing wrong with them, you’ll look fabulous, and they are (mostly) pain free. Trust us.

There is an important thing to note with this, though. People as young as fifteen can have fully developed jaws and mouths, but some research suggests that it usually happens within a few years after that.

Short Term Orthodontics can really live up to their name! In many cases, they only take around six months. However, it isn’t unheard of that they’ve taken just a little longer.

One common misconception is that these more short-term braces aren’t braces at all. That isn’t technically true. While they aren’t made of metal like traditional braces are, they certainly resemble traditional braces in the way that they present on your teeth. Despite this, they might be a little less noticeable.

Anybody interested in short term cosmetic braces will be relieved to know that there are no further risks associated with them that aren’t associated with traditional metal braces — in fact, they are generally considered to be less forceful. This means that they actually carry less risk than an already low-risk procedure.

Short Term Cosmetic Orthodontics are not for everyone, though. The essence of these orthodontics are found in the name — they are used for cosmetic reasons. If your teeth straightening needs are purely derived from the need to have a straighter looking smile, you’ll have a better time with cosmetic orthodontics.

On the other hand, if you are more susceptible to tooth decay, toothwear or chipping because of overcrowding, crooked teeth or overlapping, you may consider going down the route of traditional orthodontics for the sake of your dental health.

No matter what your orthodontic needs are, we certainly encourage you to get in touch with us at Stateline Dental. Simply put, we are happy to consult with you and give you a better sense of what will work out for you based on your dental needs. We’ll make sure that the best options for you are laid out clearly.

No matter your decision, we certainly encourage you to partner with us this year and, in so doing, maximize your dental health potential!