Younger and older people are now wearing braces, once a rite of passage for teenagers. As soon as children have all of their adult teeth, they get adjustments to quickly straighten them. Older adults wear metal for longer periods than teenagers as their gum tissues are more rigid. With a larger and larger segment of the population sporting the brackets, it is helpful to know a bit more about them.

In terms of who needs metal in their mouth and who does not, there is a scale of orthodontic need. Some folks only have overbites or underbites. Their teeth or jaws angle in or out more than they should. Others have teeth that are turned at awkward angles or have not fully erupted through the gum line. Still other patients have severe gum alignment problems. All can be helped by orthodontic adjustments.

The most common form of orthodontic adjustment happens by placing metal brackets on the teeth and threading differing angled wires through the brackets. The wires are attached to metal rings attached to molars on either side of the jaws. This is what is commonly referred to as having braces.

While plastic retainers are slowly regaining popularity, most folks still opt for the quicker option of metal brackets and wires. Retainers are removable. Most people transition into them after their brackets are removed. As a sole means of straightening teeth, plastic devices that can be taken out do the job more slowly. For a quicker aligning method, an apparatus that stays on all the time is the way to go.

The application of the metal pieces to the teeth takes a few hours. The molar rings are sometimes applied a week or two before the actual braces go on. This serves two purposes. First, it allows the patient to start getting used to the feel and taste of the apparatus in his mouth. Second, it allows the cement holding the rings in place to fully harden before they need to be used.

In the second application appointment, the individual tooth brackets are applied and the first wires are secured into place. The wires are held on the brackets by tiny rubber bands. For aesthetic reasons, the patient is permitted to choose his favorite color of bands. Occasionally, the jaws need to be banded together to help move them.

Periodically, the patient returns to the orthodontist to have the old wire removed and a new, tighter one put on. This procedure is repeated until all of the teeth and jaws are straight. The time between adjustment appointments and the total time the patient needs to wear the apparatus varies. Generally speaking, the more pliable the gum tissue is, the more frequent the appointments and the shorter the treatment time will be. Younger patients tend to have softer gum tissues than their older counterparts.

Although newer, slightly less uncomfortable products are now available, braces remain a favorite means of aligning teeth and jaws. They require a lengthy application process and periodic appointments. Younger patients have more frequent wire adjustments and shorter treatment times. Older patients may have tightening appointments that are further apart. They might be stuck with metal in their mouths for a longer time period.

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