By Issac C. Yue, DMD, MS
Pinoy Contributor
Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics
Adults seek orthodontic treatment because they realize that taking care of their smile is part of taking care of themselves. Look at your smile. It is the most important feature on your face. A smile that is full of crooked teeth, cavities, and gum disease is not pleasant to look at and bad for your health. A beautiful smile with sparkling straight teeth is admired by others, provides you with the confidence to face any situation, and has numerous overall health benefits. Straightening teeth is not only for children these days. Of the 4 million orthodontic patients treated in America, over 25% are adults. Below are some common questions that we get asked everyday.
Why Should Adults Get Orthodontic Treatment?
Three groups of adult patients generally come to our office for treatment. One group of adults are patients who could not afford or have access to an orthodontist when they were young. A second group are adults who had orthodontic treatment in the past, but had some minor shifting of their teeth since their teenage years. The third group of adults are those who have specific tooth movements requested by their dentist. Common requests are making room for a bridge or implant, straightening teeth to improve access for cleaning, improving chewing efficiency, and developing bone lost to gum disease.
Am I Too Old to Get Braces/Invisalign?
No! There are no age limits! Orthodontic treatment may go a little slower when you are older, but we routinely have 60 to 70 year olds come to seek treatment after seeing their grandchildren finish treatment. Adults know how important it is to take care of themselves, and orthodontic treatment is part of it.
Is There a More Aesthetic Option?
Braces have advanced tremendously over the last ten years. You no longer have to have a mouth full of metal. New self-ligating braces discussed in a previous article make moving teeth virtually pain free and much faster than in the past. New crystal clear braces with tooth colored wires and the Invisalign clear tray systems make straightening teeth virtually invisible. Braces can also be placed on the inside so no one will notice.
All these innovations make adult orthodontics fast, esthetic, and pain-free. For more information, please look at the American Association of Orthodontist website at www.braces.org or contact our office at www.yueorthodontics.com