Orthodontics is not just for children and teens. In fact, 1 in every 5 patients in orthodontic treatment is an adult. No one is too old for orthodontic treatment.
Adults seek orthodontic treatment for many of the same reasons as children. Some adults had orthodontic problems in childhood but were unable to address them until now. Others, who had treatment as children, may need further treatment as adults due to relapse or limitations in initial treatment.
Benefits of Treatment
Adults can benefit from orthodontic treatment in many ways. These include:
- Align the teeth to create a more aesthetic and beautiful smile
- Correct relapse after previous orthodontic treatment due to a lack of long-term retainer wear
- Improve the ability to brush and floss, especially for crowded or overlapping lower front teeth
- Create a better or more comfortable bite and the ability to chew
- Address missing teeth
- Close spaces between the teeth
- Reduce excessive wear on the teeth due to grinding or a poor bite
- Jaw surgery to correct the discrepancy between the upper and lower jaws.
Appearance of Braces
Many adults are concerned with the appearance of braces. Often, Invisalign® (The invisible alternative to braces) can be used to treat adults. This technology uses clear, removable aligners fabricated from advanced 3D imaging to move teeth into alignment. For more severe cases, we can use clear ceramic brackets instead of metal brackets.
Soreness/Discomfort
Orthodontic treatment is no more uncomfortable for adults than for children. Adults undergoing orthodontic treatment report the same level of soreness as children (although adults are more willing to tell us about the soreness).
Typically, the teeth are most uncomfortable 12-24 hours after an orthodontic adjustment and will subside within 3-5 days. Modern appliances are smaller and more comfortable to wear. Modern techniques, using new titanium technology, apply less pressure to the teeth, reducing discomfort while moving them more rapidly and efficiently. It also reduces the time between adjustments to every 8–10 weeks. Treatment typically takes 15-18 months.
Cost
The fee for adult orthodontic treatment is determined the same way as child or adolescent treatment. It is based on the severity of the problem, the complexity of the correction, the appliances used, and the time required to complete the correction.
Dr. Hirasuna has treated individuals in their 50s, 60s, and even 70s. It is never too late to gain the smile you have always wanted.