Adult Treatment

You Never Outgrow a Great Smile!

So you didn’t get braces as a kid, or maybe you did, but you stopped wearing your retainers. Orthodontics can still help you achieve a great smile. You are never too old for braces. Nearly one million adults are wearing braces today, and about 25% of all orthodontic patients are adults. The biological process involved in tooth movement is the same in adults and children. And regardless of your age, successful orthodontic treatment can make a dramatic change in your smile and in your life.

Why should I be concerned about a bad bite or misfit teeth?

Bad bites can be detrimental to a patient’s dental health by possibly causing premature wear on the teeth, difficulty in oral hygiene and/or loss of the gums and bones supporting the teeth. Orthodontics will align your teeth for optimum function, hygiene and appearance.

Do adults wear braces?

Many adults are seeking the treatment they did not or could not have when they were younger. Technological advances in the industry have provided excellent treatment options for adults.

Can you be too old for braces?

Age is not a factor in whether someone can undergo orthodontic treatment, as long as the gums and bone which support your teeth are healthy. About 20% of our orthodontic patients are adults, and many of our adult patients are in their 40’s and 50’s.

Can I still have braces if I have missing teeth?

When teeth are missing, adjacent teeth will drift into the empty space. This will cause a functional, esthetic and/or periodontal problem. Orthodontic treatment can correct and prevent these problems from happening, while providing the proper alignment for your dentist to replace the missing teeth.

Will I need surgery?

The health of the teeth, gums, and supporting bone is very important to the success of orthodontic treatment in adults as well as children. Because an adult’s bones are no longer growing, certain extreme corrections involving the facial bones cannot be accomplished with braces alone. Sometimes, adult orthodontic treatment may have to be combined with the efforts of an oral surgeon to achieve the final result.

Can you make my braces not look like braces?

Braces have come a long way since you were a kid. New technology has resulted in clear and tooth- colored esthetic braces. Advanced wire technology means shorter treatment time and more efficient tooth movement. The good news is that adult orthodontics has never been easier, more efficient and more comfortable. Nearly one million adults are sporting some form of braces, which is double the number from ten years ago. Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age.

What alternatives do I have to wearing metal braces?

If the thought of wearing braces is all that is stopping you from getting the smile you’ve always wanted, we have very good news for you. Invisalign® is a breakthrough in orthodontics that uses clear, virtually undetectable tooth aligners to gradually move your teeth without metal wires or brackets. Aligners are removable and custom-made for your teeth through the combination of our expertise and the latest in three-dimensional computer graphic technology. Invisalign straightens your teeth without calling attention to them.

Health, happiness, and self-esteem are vitally important to adults. No patient is too old for braces.