Many adults procrastinate obtaining necessary orthodontic treatment for their teeth because they are concerned about the appearance of braces. Others simply aren’t aware whether they are “too old” to get appropriate orthodontic treatment. Fortunately, age doesn’t have a substantial impact on the ability to obtain effective orthodontic treatment.
Many adults have received incredible results after obtaining orthodontic treatment and they can provide just as many benefits to the health of the smile. You shouldn’t have to forego a beautiful smile because you are concerned that you are too old for orthodontic treatment.
There are many reasons that adults may require orthodontic treatment. In some situations, they may have required orthodontic treatment early on but never obtained it. In other situations, they may have previously had braces but the retainer wasn’t worn consistently enough to prevent the teeth from shifting back after the braces were removed.
No matter what the reason, there are many ways that adults can obtain the orthodontic treatment that they need. Here are a few considerations that you should know when you want to obtain orthodontic treatment as an adult.
Orthodontic Treatment Addresses More than Cosmetic Concerns
Straight teeth certainly provide a more attractive appearance and many people want braces simply to have better looking teeth. However, having your teeth straightened is beneficial to your smile beyond purely aesthetic purposes. When teeth are misaligned, they become far more difficult to clean. This causes them to become more vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease. Additionally, misaligned teeth can cause uneven wear on the teeth, which causes them to wear down unnecessarily. This can lead to more advanced issues, like cracked teeth and other problems. By obtaining the right orthodontic treatment, you help straighten your teeth and make it easier to clean between them. It is extraordinarily beneficial to your oral health to obtain the appropriate treatment to ensure that they are straightened.
Should Adults Obtain Orthodontic Treatment?
Ultimately, yes, many adults would benefit substantially from obtaining the appropriate orthodontic treatment. It can ensure that their teeth remain healthier and in better condition, in addition to improving the overall appearance of the smile. When an adult obtains orthodontic treatment, they are likely to have improved levels of self-esteem and confidence in their appearance. This can go a long way toward improving happiness and overall quality of life. There are a great many benefits from obtaining the necessary orthodontic treatment to straighten and improve the health of your smile.
How Many Adults Get Orthodontic Appliances?
With constantly improving orthodontic innovations, it is increasingly common for adults to obtain orthodontic treatment. Many of the more common concerns regarding orthodontic appliances have been addressed with improvements to orthodontic systems. For example, many adults are concerned about the appearance of their orthodontic appliance, but Invisalign clear aligners are virtually invisible and can straighten your smile without having a significant impact on your appearance. The American Association of Orthodontists has done many studies regarding adults and orthodontic treatment. They have found that approximately 1 in every 5 orthodontic patients is over the age of 18. The influx in adult orthodontic patients is likely due to the improved ways in which orthodontic treatment is able to be accomplished.
Considerations with Orthodontic Treatment as an Adult
Though adults can certainly still obtain orthodontic treatment, there are also several considerations that are associated with orthodontic treatment as an adult. Adult bones have stopped growing, unlike the bones of a child, which can make it slightly more difficult to implement the necessary structural changes that may be required to obtain a straight smile. In some situations, surgical orthodontics may be necessary in order to provide the best possible outcome. Additionally, the bone tissue is more dense in adults than it is in children. This can mean that the orthodontic treatment will be a longer process than it would be for a child. Orthodontic treatments tend to average around 2 years to complete successfully. However, keep in mind that an orthodontist will still be able to provide effective services for adult, even if the process has to be somewhat adjusted.
What Makes a “Good” Candidate
Age doesn’t have much of an impact when it come to considering what makes an individual a good candidate when it comes to orthodontic treatment. The main consideration is the oral health of the candidate. The way in which age can have an impact on this is that adults often have more oral health concerns than children. A lifetime of misaligned teeth that are more difficult to clean can lead to many oral health issues present with the smile. However, working closely with your dentist and orthodontist can still allow you to obtain the orthodontic treatment that you need to obtain a beautiful smile.
Common Concerns
There are many common concerns that are associated with obtaining orthodontic treatment as an adult. Most adults worry primarily about what other people think and how they will look with braces or other orthodontic appliances. There are many ways that these concerns can be worked around. Invisalign clear aligners can substantially help to mitigate the appearance of the straightening system and prevent these concerns from impacting your quality of life throughout the process. Other concerns often relate to whether you can still obtain orthodontic treatment as an adult. Though choosing the right type of braces or straightening system can feel difficult, there are many ways that you can obtain straight teeth that meet all of your needs.
Here at Bailey Orthodontics, we are dedicated to providing you with the services that you need to obtain straight, beautiful, healthy teeth. When you have your teeth straightened, it will become much easier to take care of them effectively and prevent serious oral health issues from arising. The process will vary between people and depends on the specific situation. A customized solution is required to ensure the best possible process for your smile. To learn more about how adults can obtain superior orthodontic treatment, contact our experts at Bailey Orthodontics today!
