Awareness of the importance of healthy and well-maintained teeth is steadily increasing. Therefore, more and more adults are opting for orthodontic treatment, not only for aesthetic but also for medical reasons.
The most important information at a glance:
- Misaligned teeth often lead to health problems such as headaches or joint disorders.
- Orthodontic treatment prevents teeth from wearing down prematurely.
- For orthodontic correction in adults, fixed braces or aligners are recommended.
Malocclusions in adults
Almost everyone has misaligned teeth. In some people, however, they are more pronounced. In about one in three people, misaligned teeth lead to health problems.
Most cases of misaligned teeth are hereditary, for example, due to the growth of the lower jaw. A lower jaw that is too small leads to a lack of space in the mouth. As a result, the teeth become crowded.
However, external factors can also lead to misaligned teeth. For example, a baby tooth falling out too early. In this case, the neighboring teeth try to close the resulting gap. This leaves too little space for the permanent tooth. Dental injuries in childhood can also be responsible for later misalignment: If the tooth bud is damaged, this can cause a misalignment in the bite.
What types of malpositions are there?
There are various malocclusions for which treatment is advisable. Possible problems that can be corrected with lingual braces or other types of braces include:
- Crowding of teeth
- Gaps between the teeth
- Open bite
- Deep bite
- Overbite
- Overbite
- Crossbite
Advantages of orthodontic treatment for adults
A misaligned bite, crooked teeth, or an incorrect jaw position can cause permanent health problems, e.g.:
- Headache and earache
- Difficulty swallowing or chewing; Nighttime teeth grinding and temporomandibular joint disorders
- Dental and gum diseases such as caries or periodontitis
Various orthodontic methods can correct misaligned teeth. In addition, your dental and oral health will improve. Orthodontic treatment optimally aligns your teeth, allowing you to reach all areas when cleaning and thus preventing dental diseases.
After orthodontic treatment, all teeth bite together correctly. This prevents damage to the periodontal tissues. The teeth don't wear down as quickly and last significantly longer.
Furthermore, correcting the jaw position prevents temporomandibular joint disorders. It can also alleviate existing symptoms.
Orthodontic treatment not only improves dental health, but can also have aesthetic benefits: Teeth are an important part of one's appearance and influence attractiveness. Therefore, straight teeth often improve well-being and quality of life.
Methods for correcting misaligned teeth
Teeth can be improved using various methods. For minor misalignments or irregular teeth, veneers can improve their shape. This involves attaching thin plastic shells to the front of the teeth. However, this method is not a permanent solution for correcting teeth, as the treatment often needs to be repeated at regular intervals. Other solutions are more suitable for permanently correcting misaligned teeth:
Fixed braces for adults
With fixed braces, the orthodontist attaches small plates (brackets) to your teeth and connects them with a wire. This exerts gentle pressure on the teeth , thereby moving them into the desired position.
While fixed braces often don't look great, transparent ceramic clasps make them much less noticeable. The so-called lingual technique is completely invisible. With this method, the fixed braces are attached to the back of the teeth. Overall, however, adults should expect a longer treatment duration than children and teenagers.
Aligner
Aligners such as Invisalign orthodontic treatments are transparent dental trays that gently and continuously move your teeth into the desired position and hold them there. The tray is replaced and adjusted at regular intervals throughout the treatment to reflect your progress.
The transparent and removable aligner is very discreet and won't restrict your daily life. It's a particularly good alternative for adults who don't want to wear visible fixed braces.
After treatment with fixed braces or aligners, a retainer may be beneficial. This keeps your teeth in the ideal position and prevents them from shifting again over time. This way, you can keep your straight teeth for a lifetime.
Occlusal splints
Occlusal guards are also called night guards . They prevent your teeth from wearing down permanently. These guards are particularly beneficial for those who grind their teeth while sleeping. Without treatment, nighttime teeth grinding can, in the worst case, lead to tooth loss or jaw locking.
The principle is simple: At night, you place the bite guard over your upper and lower teeth. It prevents your teeth from meeting, thus preventing tooth wear . This offers health benefits for both your teeth and jaw joints.
Snoring mouthpieces
Snoring is often caused by misaligned jaws and teeth. In this case, a snoring mouthpiece can help. This device pushes the lower jaw forward, clearing the airways. This not only prevents sleep disturbances but also reduces other health risks.
However, snoring mouthpieces are not suitable for everyone. They are not recommended for certain dental and jaw misalignments, such as a severe overbite.
Invisible teeth straightening for adults
A transparent aligner corrects teeth invisibly. However, aligners are only suitable for correcting minor misalignments. For more severe misalignments, lingual braces are a better option.
This type of brace, which is placed on the inside of the teeth, is also completely inconspicuous. It is constructed like a conventional brace, but attached to the inside of the teeth. Lingual braces are well-suited for long-term treatment. Therefore, good oral hygiene and regular checkups are essential.
A disadvantage of lingual braces: especially at the beginning, the brackets on the inside of the teeth can be irritating and affect speech. However, you will quickly get used to the feeling of a foreign object.
When is orthodontic treatment necessary?
Various misalignments of the teeth and jaw indicate the need for treatment. Sometimes patients still suffer from these misalignments into adulthood. They may not have received adequate treatment as children, or the therapy may not have been completed properly. In such cases, some misalignments can recur. For example, teeth can shift back to their original position if your dentist doesn't fit a retainer. This is frustrating, as the orthodontic treatment as a child was then in vain.
Another reason for misaligned teeth in adults is problems that only arise with age. These can include damage to the teeth or illnesses . Age-related bone loss in the jaw can also lead to misalignments. Or a permanent tooth might fall out, creating a gap. The teeth now have more space to spread and may shift.
Even when wisdom teeth erupt, adults often experience tooth shifting. This is because wisdom teeth frequently lack sufficient space in the jaw and compress the existing teeth. In such cases, the dentist must extract the wisdom teeth.
Tip: Are you considering orthodontic treatment? Then be sure to consult an orthodontist from an established general dentistry. They will tell you which method is best suited for you.
Does health insurance cover orthodontic treatment for adults?
Health insurance companies typically only cover the costs if the patient is a minor and if there is a medical indication. If the patient is older than 18, statutory health insurance does not cover orthodontic treatment. This means you have to pay for the entire treatment yourself.
Nevertheless, many adults still consider correcting the misalignment even at an advanced age. But be warned: the costs can quickly amount to several thousand euros.
As always, exceptions prove the rule: If the malformation occurs as a result of an accident , the statutory health insurance may cover the costs. Even in cases of extreme malformation requiring surgery, the health insurance company will contribute a portion of the costs.
Which method is the right one?
Which method is right for you depends on the misalignment of your teeth. For example, aligners can only correct minor misalignments. Specialized dentists can quickly determine if this method is suitable for you. More severe misalignments can be treated with fixed braces . These can be attached to the inside or outside of your teeth. Many adults opt for the invisible method.
The choice of orthodontic treatment for adults also depends on another factor: The standard method with braces is the most cost-effective option. Lingual braces cost somewhat more. Special requests, such as smaller brackets or thinner wires, are also expensive. Since adults usually have to pay for orthodontic treatment themselves, price is often the deciding factor. For aligners, you should expect to pay between €3,000 and €6,000. Lingual braces can cost up to €10,000.
Where can I get my teeth straightened?
Dentists are responsible for treating misaligned teeth . While any dentist can make braces, orthodontists have specialized training and are therefore often the better choice. As an adult, you can visit an orthodontist to have your teeth examined. The expert will advise you and present the best solution for correcting your teeth.
Are aligners suitable for every misalignment?
Aligners are only suitable for minor misalignments. Your dentist places the transparent aligners on your teeth and gradually corrects their position. The aligners must be replaced at regular intervals to achieve the desired result.
Severe misalignments of the teeth cannot be corrected with aligners. Fixed braces are also more suitable for bite corrections. Consult your dentist for advice.
Is orthodontic treatment for adults an unnecessary luxury?
It's not always necessary to correct misaligned teeth in adulthood. However, many adults are unhappy with the appearance of their teeth and have long desired a correction. So, if you can afford it, go for it.
Orthodontic treatment can even have positive effects on overall well-being : some headaches and neck pain can be alleviated. Many adults rediscover their smiles after teeth straightening. This is because the alignment of teeth not only changes one's appearance but also boosts self-confidence. Therefore, orthodontic treatment is never unnecessary if it makes you feel better about yourself.
Success rate of orthodontic treatment in adults
The chances of successful treatment are very high, even for adults, provided you are disciplined and wear your dental splint regularly and conscientiously. Only then can your teeth move into the correct position. To achieve the desired result, you must complete the entire course of treatment.
Treatment can take longer than for children, however, because an adult's teeth are already fully developed. And further orthodontic measures are often necessary afterward. For example, if your fixed braces are removed, a retainer is advisable. Your dentist attaches this wire to the back of your teeth. This keeps your teeth in their correct position. The success rate for adults is therefore just as high as for children.
Conclusion
Misaligned teeth often cause physical discomfort. For this reason alone, orthodontic treatment is often recommended even in adulthood. You can straighten your teeth, for example, with braces. This treatment corrects both dental and jaw problems and prevents premature wear and tear on your teeth.