4 Questions to Ask Your Orthodontist Before Getting Adult Braces

Posted on March 10, 2022

If you’ve never gotten braces before, it’s natural for you to be a bit nervous. Generally speaking, our culture has a bit of anxiety around braces. This is especially true for those getting braces as adults! Some people are under the impression that braces are harder to deal with or less “socially acceptable” from an aesthetic perspective when you’re an adult. Others believe that they’re slightly embarrassing to wear, which is all dependent on the patient’s personal feelings about braces. However, despite any misgivings one might have taking the plunge on braces as an adult, there’s no denying the oral health & confidence-boosting benefits the results they provide will bring, so we’ve compiled some smart questions you can ask your orthodontist that will give you all the info you need & help you feel comfortable & confident rocking braces as an adult!

1. How Long Will I Have to Wear Them?

While your orthodontist can’t give you a 100% guarantee about how long you’ll need to wear your braces, as issues could occur which would cause you to need to wear them for a longer period of time, they should be able to give you a close estimate. The amount of time you’ll wear braces will depend on your unique smile needs, as well as how your teeth respond to braces. Generally speaking, the average person will wear braces for an average of two years.

2. Can I Customize Their Appearance?

You may want a specific look for your braces, and typically you can customize them with fun bracket colors (gold and rose gold braces are a popular option to add some BLING to your smile!) and colored elastics that match your preferences & personality. Having the freedom to choose braces options that fit your aesthetic can often make the process of wearing them feel less like a chore and more like a fun fashion statement! Don’t be afraid to find out all of your options to ensure that your LEWK is on point!

3. How Often Will I Need Adjustments?

Typically, braces do need to be adjusted as you wear them. The wires will need to be tightened, or sometimes loosened. Many people go to see the orthodontist every three months or so after getting braces. However, this will depend on your specific course of treatment & your unique needs, which is why your orthodontist should be able to prep you with that information ahead of time.

4. Can I Finance My Treatment?

Typically, dental insurance will cover some or even all of the cost of your braces. That being said, you still may need to pay for some of the treatment out of pocket, depending on the offerings of your plan. If you don’t have insurance, you’ll need to ensure you can cover the cost of treatment yourself. Ask your orthodontist whether or not they offer financing options for you to take advantage of- most of the time, orthodontists provide flexible payment options to make treatment work for all different types of budgets & lifestyles.

Once you see the amazing results that come out of your time spent in braces, we can guarantee you’ll be uber-glad you went for it- no matter what your age! To learn more about the orthodontic treatment options that will best meet your needs, reach out to schedule a FREE Smile Consult with the LO Dream Smile Team today!