Braces used to be considered just something for young kids. But today, a lot of men in their thirties and forties are finally addressing the dental problems that they’ve left untreated for so long, including crooked teeth, uneven bites, overcrowded teeth, gaps, and other problems caused by moving their teeth around after braces.
Also, the perception that braces are ingrained into someone’s mouth has changed tremendously over the years. Rather than going with metal mouth style of braces, there are clear aligners made by a company called Invasalign; ceramic braces; and more kinds of treatments that make braces much less noticeable, easier to remove, and more practical than they’ve ever been.
In most cases, it is not vanity that causes men to make the decision to get orthodontic treatment; rather, it is about developing self-confidence, improving their health, and looking polished and put together as business professionals. I suspect this change is directly related to how many men are currently selling and/or leading teams in the workplace; returning to dating after divorce; seeing themselves on video camera during multiple video calls every day; and simply not wanting to have to hide their smiles in pictures anymore.
The most challenging part of orthodontic treatment is often just making the decision to start; after that, your choice of orthodontic care will be determined by what best fits your needs.
Why More Men Are Getting Orthodontic Treatment Later in Life
Adult orthodontics has gained in popularity over the last 10 years. Many adults could not afford braces when they were younger or had braces when they were younger and stopped wearing their retainers, as well as some people did not address dental issues for years due to work, family, or financial commitments. Therefore, now that many men in their thirties and forties can afford it, men of those ages are generally more willing to spend money on things for themselves. Furthermore, people are becoming more aware that orthodontics are not only aesthetically pleasing as misaligned teeth can lead to issues such as:
- Jaw discomfort
- Uneven wear on teeth
- Difficulty brushing teeth properly
- Increased risk of cavities or gum disease
- Headaches and tension in the bite
- Sleeping issues due to breathing problems
Therefore, in the long term, to improve one’s oral health and appearance, straightening teeth will be beneficial. There is also an increase in workplace culture and social media that are making people more aware of how they present themselves to others. In terms of presenting yourself to others through video meetings, professional networking, dating apps, and building an online profile, emphasis on smiles and facial appearance has been increased from a previous generation to the current generation.
Invisalign Changed the Game for Adults
Adult males are seeing clear aligners like Invisalign, SureSmile and ClearCorrect as a more viable option for orthodontic treatment than since they came on the market. The trade-off with traditional metal braces was that, while they worked well; some adults were reluctant to wear them for fear of looking too much like a child and how they would affect their professional lives.
Clear removable aligners have made wearing orthodontic devices possible by providing adults with an option that does not draw attention to their orthodontic treatment. Also, clear aligners allow for added flexibility compared to traditional braces. For example, they can be removed when eating or drinking, brushing teeth or participating in important events, so brace-wearers no longer have to avoid steak, popcorn, or coffees like they did prior to clear aligners. The downside is that the only way for clear aligners to work is for the patient to wear them constantly, on average 20 – 22 hours per day. Therefore, make sure you have good compliance if you’re using them regularly. Overall, for disciplined adults, these products are an excellent treatment option.
Traditional Braces Still Have Advantages
For many reasons, we have seen many adults with traditional braces as they do provide the same benefits in achieving beautiful straight teeth. Traditional metal braces can also be a good option for adults who have crowding issues due to more severe teeth crowding and more extreme oral bite correction needs. Adults also often get treated by orthodontists with metal braces because it is easier than with clear aligners due to clear aligners requiring a patient to follow instructions closely in order for the treatment to be effective.
Today, there are options to have all types of braces and some of these options are ceramic braces. Ceramic braces are white so they blend better with patients’ teeth than metal brackets. Most adult men do not realize that their fear of being seen with braces ends very quickly once they begin the treatment cycle and generally, they do not realize that very few people do pay attention to adults who have braces. Therefore, adults usually have a better orthodontic experience than teenagers.
How Long Does Treatment Usually Take?
Adults often ask about the duration of orthodontic treatments. The time required is determined by the severity and extent of each case. Minor treatment cases (e.g., a few adjustments made with aligners) will typically take 6 to 12 months to fully correct the alignment of the teeth. Moderate treatment cases usually take between 12 to 24 months, and severe treatment cases frequently take much longer than that.
Another common misconception is that age is the factor limiting adults from having orthodontic treatment done, but age is really not the limiting factor in moving teeth; it is the health of the gums and bone surrounding the teeth. Adults generally will have slightly longer treatment times than adolescents receive; however, modern orthodontic techniques are highly effective when treating older patients.
Patients need to be consistent with their treatment. Failing to wear aligners, not keeping appointments regularly, or failing to wear a retainer after the completion of orthodontic treatment will create considerable delays in the outcome of treatment and can actually cause the teeth to move back into their original position (failure).
The Financial Side of Adult Orthodontics
The price of treatment is one of the most important aspects of getting braces or aligners as an adult. Treatment could cost anywhere from several thousand dollars up to well over $7,000 depending on your area, the provider you select, and how complicated your case is. Some dental offices charge roughly the same for clear aligners as they do for regular braces, but there can be a large amount of variation in both types of treatment.
In the past 10 or so years, adult orthodontic treatment is also much more affordable than it has been previously. Most dental offices now offer payment plans with monthly payments or flexible financing options through companies like Cherry Financing, and some offices accept health savings accounts to help spread the cost of treatment over time.
Providing these options has greatly increased the accessibility of orthodontic treatment for working adults who are also trying to juggle mortgages, raise children, and fulfill other financial obligations.
For men who have delayed treatment for years because of price concerns, modern financing options have removed some of the biggest barriers to starting.
What Men in Their 30s and 40s Should Realistically Expect
There is nothing instant, easy, and painless about adult orthodontics. There will be sores, adjustments, and frustration no matter the type you choose. There will be some temporary changes in speech due to the clear aligners. The metal brackets of braces may irritate your cheeks and may make it difficult to eat your favorite foods. Orthodontic appointments will require you to dedicate time and be consistent. However, most adults will quickly adjust.
The biggest change will be psychological for many men, they spent years feeling embarrassed about their teeth before they realised that they could get treatment and that it was common and easily achievable, and once they started they were surprised that they had waited so long.
Be sure to have realistic expectations. Orthodontics can help you have a dramatically improved smile and properly functioning bite; however, perfection is not always the end goal. Most adult orthodontic patients wish for a healthy, straight smile that will give them the confidence of having a natural smile instead of merely a perfect smile.
More and more is exactly what modern-day orthodontics provides.
The Bottom Line
In the last decade, men in their 30s or 40s who have wanted orthodontic correction using braces or clear aligners have been able to do so without feeling embarrassed, awkward, or as if they have made an impractical investment. This has become more of a normal routine for many people by combining health, self-assurance, and aesthetics into their personal investments.
Regardless of whether you select regular metal or stainless steel orthodontic brackets, see-through ceramic orthodontic brackets, or clear aligning systems like Invisalign, it is essential that you discover an orthodontic treatment plan that corresponds to your lifestyle and long-term goals.
Obtaining orthodontic treatment requires an investment of time, consistency, and money. Yet for many adults, the accomplishment of rectifying two or more long-neglected oral health concerns for themselves is one of the best things they will do for themselves throughout their lifetime.
In contrast to the expensive high-end wristwatches, luxury sneakers, and items people buy because of peer pressure or social status, a better smile is something that the majority of people will utilize every day for the rest of their lives.
