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!

It is likely that you are counting down the days until you get your braces off. It is important to keep in mind that after your braces have been removed, the orthodontic treatment isn’t over. Retainers will need to be worn following the removal of the orthodontic treatment in order to prevent the teeth from shifting. It is vital to follow your orthodontist’s instructions carefully after you have had your braces or Invisalign treatment completed to ensure long-standing results.

What is a Retainer?

A retainer is an orthodontic appliance that is intended to keep your teeth in alignment after the initial orthodontic treatment has concluded. This retainer will be molded and designed specifically for your smile. It is important to obtain a customized retainer because it will be able to keep your teeth from falling out of alignment. A retainer may initially feel tight and cause discomfort, but this should fade with consistent use.

Why Retainers are Important

Unfortunately, braces don’t guarantee that the results will be permanent. In fact, teeth have a natural tendency to move back into their original place after the forces holding them have been removed. Without a retainer, it is likely that the teeth will go back to their prior misalignment shortly after having braces removed. The tendency for teeth to shift and regress fades over time, as they become more firmly set, but this can last for up to 18 months. A retainer helps to keep the teeth aligned and ensure the best lasting results for the appearance of your smile. It is especially important to wear your retainer as often as possible for the first 3 to 6 months after having braces removed, but it will likely require long-term use to prevent regression.  

Types of Retainers

There are multiple types of retainers. We will discuss the best solution for retaining the alignment of your teeth to ensure the most satisfactory results. There are some situations, though this is rare, in which both removable and fixed retainers will be used in conjunction in order to provide the most effective outcome for your teeth. The two main types of retainers are removable and fixed. There are both pros and drawbacks to each kind of retainer and the ideal type for you will largely depend on your specific situation.

Removable

Removable retainers are retainers that you can remove and store when they are not in use. This kind of retainer is often much easier to keep clean, because you can remove your retainer when you clean your teeth, clean the appliance, and whenever you eat. They can allow you to more effectively care for your oral health. However, the main drawback to removable retainers is that you must remember to wear it according to your orthodontist’s specifications. If you find that you forget frequently or don’t wear it as often as you should, a fixed retainer may be the best solution for you. Removable retainers are also easier to lose and damage, because they can be taken out of your mouth and misplaced.

Fixed

A fixed retainer is adhered to the teeth much in the same way as braces. They consist of a thin wire that is positioned on the behind (lingual) surface of the teeth. This wire is then bonded to the teeth to ensure that it stays in place. Fixed retainers often are especially effective at keeping the teeth in place, but they can be more difficult to keep clean. We can help you to determine the ideal retainer for you and your specific situation.

How Long to Wear a Retainer

Ultimately, retainer use will continue indefinitely, and a straight smile is an ongoing commitment. However, the amount of time that you must spend wearing a retainer will depend on how long it has been since you had your braces removed. Always wear your retainer according to your orthodontist’s instructions. Failing to wear your retainer for a day or two likely won’t cause significant issues, but it is a slippery slope that often leads to failing to wear your retainer for longer. This will cause the teeth to gradually move out of alignment.

In most situations, you will be required to wear your retainer as often as possible for the first 3 to 6 months after your braces have been removed. After this, it is largely recommended that you wear your retainer nightly for the next 1 to 3 years. 3 years after having your braces removed, you will likely have to continue wearing your retainer about 2 or 3 nights a week to ensure that your teeth remain straight.

Things to Remember About Retainers

If you have a removable retainer, you will want to ensure that you wear it as instructed. If you have gone a period of time without wearing your retainer, you may still be able to use it to shift teeth back into place. However, never force your retainer into place. This can cause harm to the surface of the teeth or break the retainer.

Caring for your Retainer

It is important to take the steps necessary to keep your retainer in good condition. Bacteria can accumulate in the mouth, which often cause damage to the teeth. It is important to ensure that your retainer is clean and well-maintained to ensure that it is sanitary and capable of keeping your teeth straightened effectively. Ensure that you rinse your retainer in cold water before and after use. If you have a permanent retainer, you will need to follow the same processes to clean them as you did with braces. Store your removable retainer in a plastic case whenever it is not in use. You should never place a retainer in hot water, as this can cause it to shrink. You will also need to wash your retainer with a specialized cleaner every few months. Ensure that you keep your retainer away from pets, as this is one of the leading causes of damage to retainers.

Here at Bailey Orthodontics, we are passionate about straightening your smile and keeping it that way. To meet these ends, it is likely that you will be required to wear a retainer following your orthodontic treatment. To learn more about how to keep your smile straight and beautiful, contact our office at Bailey Orthodontics today!

Issues with the alignment of your bite are often why people turn to orthodontic treatment. Orthodontists deal primarily with resolving issues with the structure of the teeth and jawbone, which includes a bite that isn’t quite right. Aside from aesthetic concerns, different bite-related issues can impact the health of your teeth. They can put undue pressure on certain teeth or make it more difficult to clean the teeth properly. They also often cause significant pain, especially when they prevent you from being able to chew properly.

Keep in mind that there is never a smile that is too far gone to be saved, so contact us if you have any concerns regarding your bite. At Bailey Orthodontics, we are passionate about making orthodontic treatment accessible and ensuring that you have the most positive experience possible. We offer multiple financing options to ensure that you can obtain the services that you need. Here are a few common issues related to your bite, as well as potential options for treating them.

Overbite

An overbite occurs when the upper front teeth cover a portion of the lower front teeth. The vast majority of people have a slight overbite. However, when the overbite is too large, it can result in significant issues for your teeth. It can cause teeth to wear out more quickly and can cause substantial pain in the jaw. The size of the overbite is generally measured in percentages, which will allow your orthodontist to determine whether the overbite is large enough to cause issues with your teeth. Receiving the appropriate treatment and care can help to lessen the size of an overbite, which will both enhance the appearance of the teeth and ensure that they can remain as healthy as possible. An excessively large overbite is often referred to as a “deep bite” because overbites are so common. This helps to differentiate between a regular overbite and an overbite that may cause an issue with the smile. 

Underbite

Conversely to an overbite, an underbite occurs when the lower teeth remain out in front of the upper front teeth when the jaw is closed. This is commonly due to the lower jaw being too far forward, which causes this misalignment. An underbite often results in difficulty eating properly, which can lead to further issues with nutrition and maintaining a healthy diet. It can also impact an individual’s speech, which can make it more difficult to speak clearly and be understood. Underbites can put unevenly distributed pressure on the teeth, which can cause them to wear down quickly, as well. This condition is less common than overbites, but still occurs frequently. The appropriate treatment for an underbite will depend primarily on the severity of the situation.

Crossbite

In a healthy bite, the upper front teeth generally sit outside of your lower front teeth. A crossbite occurs when some of the upper teeth are located behind the lower teeth when the jaw is closed. In these situations, it is often that the teeth are misaligned within the mouth, which causes some teeth to be outside, while others tilt inward. A crossbite tends to put significant amounts of pressure on the teeth, which leads to excessive wear, as well as makes the teeth vulnerable to chipping. This can also cause the gums to recede or sustain other issues. These issues with the gums can result in severe pain and even deterioration of the bone.

Open Bite

In an open bite, the upper and lower front teeth don’t touch when the jaw is closed. This is often attributed to using a pacifier for too long or frequently sucking the thumb as a child. These actions cause the teeth to grow in at angles surrounding the implement, whether pacifier or thumb, which creates an open bite. An open bite can cause substantial aesthetic concern and self-esteem issues, as they are rather apparent. One of the largest problems caused by an open bite is difficulty chewing. This can make it incredibly difficult to bite into certain types of foods, like apples. An open bite is commonly due to the teeth growing in at an angle, though some jaw conditions may result in an open bite, as well. Obtaining the appropriate orthodontic care can ensure that the teeth are able to fit together properly, which can alleviate many related problems.

Treatment Options

There are multiple treatment options to ensure that a successful method is attainable to fix your misaligned bite. For overbites, treatments like braces or Invisalign are often able to resolve the issue, ensuring that the overbite is at a healthy size. Underbites can be treated by the same techniques. In severe cases, these techniques may be used in conjunction with surgical orthodontics to effectively resolve the existing issue. For issues that are related to the jawbone being misaligned, methods to straighten it can be implemented. In some cases, this is as simple as using elastics with braces to move the jaw into place. Other situations may require alternative appliances. Crossbites are often caused by misaligned teeth, so traditional teeth straightening methods may aid in resolving these issues. Whatever the prevalent issue is in the smile, orthodontic treatment can be customized to effectively resolve your concerns. 

Contact Us Today!

Issues with your smile can lead to a wide array of problems. They can cause individuals to feel self-conscious, which can result in them smiling less often. This can also make it more difficult for them to communicate with others and can affect their quality of life. Structural issues with the teeth can make it difficult to eat nutritious foods, which can cause further damage to both their health and the general health of the individual. These issues may also make the teeth more difficult to keep clean, which can simply exacerbate potential problems. Here at Bailey Orthodontics, we strive to provide compassionate, effective orthodontic treatment to eliminate these problems in the mouth. To learn more about the treatment options we provide or to schedule an appointment with us, contact our experts today.