In adults, tooth movement will occur more slowly than in adolescents, due to greater cell renewal and lower bone density. Tooth movement is exerted with the help of less significant forces. There are several techniques and types of appliances adapted to adult teeth.
- Vestibular orthodontics: As in adolescence, it is possible for adults to wear a multi-strap appliance, if the visible side of the appliance does not bother. In addition, being able to choose ceramic brackets or brackets of similar color to the tooth can reduce visibility and improve the aesthetics of the tooth.
- Lingual orthodontics: In this technique, the brackets are worn on the inside of the teeth, connected by a wire in the same way as on a multi-bracket appliance. The advantage of this practice is that it is totally invisible to the smile. However, it does generate some discomfort at first, such as irritation of the tongue or a slight tingling.
- Invisible orthodontics: in this case, series of transparent aligners, also called « aligners », are used. These aligners are custom-made, and practically invisible. They should be worn as often as possible, removing them only when eating or brushing teeth. They are particularly appreciated for their discretion, their ease of use, and because they do not use metal. However, this technique is not necessarily applicable to all situations.
In some situations, orthodontic treatment will not be enough to completely repair the teeth, and surgery will be necessary. To learn more about orthognathic surgery, go to our dedicated article Preparatory care sometimes necessary.
