When does an adult need fixed braces?
The trend that adults want to have their teeth straightened again or for the first time is increasing more and more and in the meantime every third patient is an adult with an orthodontist. In most cases, this is for aesthetic reasons.Patients want to have their own teeth as beautiful as possible and this includes a straight position. This applies primarily to patients whose orthodontic treatment in childhood did not bring the desired success or whose teeth have shifted afterwards.
Patients who have never received orthodontic treatment develop a different medical awareness in adulthood, in which the teeth only then become relevant. Consequently, orthodontic treatment is initiated retrospectively. Fixed braces are necessary for adults, if teeth have to be moved not only horizontally or vertically, but also rotated.
Rotational movements are often only possible with a fixed appliance. Another reason for fixed braces in the permanent dentition of an adult is the production or closing of a gap. For example, if a tooth is lost and has to be removed, most patients want implants as a restoration option.
However, if the existing gap is too narrow for an implant to be inserted due to tilting of the adjacent teeth, the gap must first be enlarged. Fixed appliances are used for this purpose. This may also be of interest to you: Braces for adults
How long do I have to wear fixed braces?
The duration of wearing fixed braces varies depending on the severity of the application and the condition of the patient’s teeth. Many factors play a role. Some medications affect the speed at which the teeth are pushed.
This is especially important in the treatment of adults. Drugs such as bisphosphonates in osteoporosis accelerate the displacement of the teeth, while others slow it down. The average wearing time of a fixed one is about one to three years, but it can also be faster or slower depending on how the therapy is applied. The duration of therapy is planned by the dentist, so that the patient has an overview and can estimate how long the treatment will last in the individual case. However, there is no guarantee for this planning time, so it represents a rough framework.
