Have you decided to treat yourself to a brand-new smile? Nearly all adults have at least one problem with their smile, whether it is tooth spacing, crooked teeth, or an uneven smile. If you aren’t a fan of your smile, there are things you can do as an adult to fix your smile. Here is some information about choosing to wear braces versus wearing clear aligners, such as Invisalign.

Which One Is Right for Me?

People who wear braces in adulthood usually have serious issues with their teeth. They may have severely overcrowded teeth- sometimes, one tooth can even overlap another tooth. Adults may also have teeth that are spaced too far apart. Braces can fix tooth spacing problems through a series of wires and brackets. Dentists can tighten the wires over time to move your teeth into the correct position. Braces can also work to fix bite issues. In adulthood, if you have problems with your bite, it can lead to issues with your teeth as well as your jaw. Many people who have issues with their jaw joint- or temporomandibular joint- have problems with their bite. What if you only have some spacing issues between your teeth? For example, you may have teeth that are a bit crowded or spaced too widely apart. You may want to look into clear aligners. With clear aligners, you are able to wear them and remove them to eat, drink, brush, and floss your teeth. Clear aligners can fix spacing problems with your teeth. Clear aligners are also not as obvious as braces are when you talk, laugh, or smile, so you may not be as self-conscious about your mouth while you’re wearing them. If you aren’t sure whether you need braces or clear aligners, the best way to know for sure which type of dental correction you need is to follow up with a dentist. They can suggest which device is the right one for your teeth.