More than a few teens make the mistake of wrapping their retainers in paper napkins while they eat and then accidentally tossing them out. I'm sure some people thought we were crazy, but we always searched till we found it. Just because braces weren't fashionable or affordable when you were a kid doesn't mean you have to go through life with a major malocclusion. By 1992, that number had risen to 23 percent. Orthodontists have made adult braces more palatable by fashioning them out of plastic and ceramic, which are clear or tooth-colored.
Some appliances can fit on the inside of teeth, completely out of sight.
They are not as strong as traditional braces so they usually have to be worn longer. They are also more difficult to adjust, and they can be uncomfortable because the patient's tongue hits them. FDA has found new appliances to be substantially equivalent to older stainless steel brackets. Many of them, however, are more expensive. Nevertheless, braces are increasingly popular among adults.