Q: I'm an adult. Can I get braces that are not noticeable?
A: Adults are a rapidly growing segment of the orthodontic patient community. Many, in fact, are back for a second time after a first go-round as teenagers. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists showed a 37 percent increase in the number of adult orthodontic patients from 1994 to 2004, the most recent figures available. More than a million adults in the United States are currently in braces, according to the association.
The modern brace system for the most part consists of small brackets glued to the front of each tooth and a wire threaded through them. Classic silver-colored braces are still the most common and are the least expensive. But there are less visible styles. Generally, the less noticeable the braces, the more expensive. If you want to correct your teeth's alignment, talk with your dentist. Braces are a different proposition for an adult, whose oral structure is no longer as flexible as it was when he or she was an adolescent. Sometimes other specialists, like an oral surgeon, should be consulted when considering braces for an adult.
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