The Straight Goods
By Carley Sparks Need braces? Say hello to adult-friendly orthodontia.
For many Canadians, adults + braces = panic. Let’s face it: most of us think of braces as a source of junior high humiliation. Think again. Times have changed and so has orthodontia. With technical advances that include invisible and hidden options, it’s no wonder more and more adults are getting braces.
INVISALIGN
“The most notable advance in adult orthodontics is Invisalign,” says Dr. Ken Glick of Wynford Dental Arts in Toronto. “Invisalign uses 3-D computer-imaging technology to create a series of clear, customized, plastic aligners that fit over the teeth.” Each set of aligners is worn for two weeks and moves the teeth incrementally into proper alignment. Taken out to eat, brush and floss, Invisalign is lower maintenance than conventional braces and has the benefit of being virtually invisible. Don’t believe it? Tom Cruise and Vince Carter pulled it off while in the public eye.
Invisalign can be used on about 85 per cent of cases where braces are required, and is particularly good for minor crowding of the lower anterior (your bottom front) teeth, a condition that’s common in adults. “Invisalign is not appropriate for teeth that have rotated more than 20 degrees or that require intrusive work,” says Dr. Glick. Treatment is typically eight to 15 months and comes with a $4,000 to $6,000 price tag, which, depending on the clinic, can sometimes include a professional teeth-whitening program. “Patients who want to whiten their teeth can use the Invisalign aligner as a custom tray and bleach their teeth at the same time,” he says, adding that the clinic provides custom trays at no extra cost.
LINGUAL
Lingual, or hidden, braces are another adult-friendly option. Lingual braces line the inside of the teeth, out of view. While more esthetically pleasing, they share the drawbacks of conventional braces. “They are difficult to clean and may cause lacerations on the tongue,” says
Dr. Willy Dayan, a Toronto-based orthodontist. “They are also more expensive, ranging anywhere from $6,000 to $12,000 for full top and bottom treatment.” Because of the complexity involved, lingual braces are not suitable for all cases and are not used by all orthodontists.
For Toni Abramson, a marketing director in Toronto, lingual braces were worth the extra cost. “My biggest concern was that I would have food stuck in my braces while I was dining with a client. The lingual braces were fabulous because nobody could tell that I had them on. I didn’t feel self-conscious at all.” Abramson said during the 18 months she wore the braces she made a point of telling people. “I was proud of the fact that I was actually doing it when I was 46.”
OTHER OPTIONS
For the small number of cases that are too complicated for Invisalign or lingual braces, ceramic braces and bite plates are two effective solutions. Ceramic braces are clear so they are less visible, and are available with tooth-coloured wire. “The wire can be removed for special occasions, such as weddings,” says Dr. Dayan. Like conventional braces, ceramic braces have to be worn for about 15 months, cost about $3,500 to $6,000 and require thorough cleaning after every meal. Alternatively, bite plates are removable appliances, made of wire and plastic, that are fitted to the palate. They cost $1,200 to $1,500, but their range of use is more limited, appropriate for minor tooth movements only. Bite plates are typically used in conjunction with other orthodontic treatments as part of an overall regime.
Whichever treatment you choose, expect to schedule follow-up appointments every six to eight weeks, and to wear a retainer once you’re through with the braces. “As you age, your teeth gradually move forward, no matter what work you’ve done to correct them,” explains Dr. Glick. Most people wear a retainer for six to eight weeks following braces to allow the bones to stabilize, and then one or two nights a week to maintain the results. “We prefer that patients wear some kind of retention basically for the rest of their life or else the teeth will regress.”
Still not convinced? Chew on this: opting for orthodontia over a purely cosmetic solution will not only save your tooth enamel, you will get better results because you are fixing the foundation of your teeth. Many people don’t need any cosmetic work afterward, says Dr. Glick. “You may be able to avoid invasive work, such as gum tissue surgery or root canal, and save as much as half the cost of correcting the same problem with a cosmetic solution alone.”
Editorial sources: Willy Dayan Orthodontics,
416-222-3223, www.dayanorthodontics.com • Wynford Dental Arts, 416-445-2865, www.wynforddentalarts.com
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