Many people think that orthodontic treatment is something that you have to do when you’re a teenager or young adult. While it’s true that there are some advantages to straightening your teeth when you’re younger, there’s no reason why you can’t straighten your teeth as an adult.
In fact, as long as we take certain factors into account, there’s no reason why you can’t straighten your teeth in your 60s, 70s, or later.
Orthodontic Benefits at Any Age
If you’re a senior, you might not think there are many benefits to straightening your teeth now. But the truth is that you can still see benefits from braces:
- Enjoying an attractive smile
- Make a better impression when you meet people
- Do better at job interviews and closing professional deals
- Easier brushing and flossing for better oral health
- More efficient bite to make chewing easier and more effective
Your first temptation might be to think: “At my age, I don’t need to worry about many of these things. People can deal with my smile the way it is. I don’t want to meet new people, and I’m never going to apply for another job–I’ll be retired.”
These days people are living longer–and healthier–than ever. Even when you retire, you still have an entire life ahead of you. In addition, if you’re healthy, that life can be as full and rich as your life was when you were younger. Perhaps after a few years of retirement, you may decide you want to work again, maybe pursue that entrepreneurial career you kept putting on the back burner for your job. No matter what your age, romance can help keep you young.
So, if you’re thinking you want to keep living a full life as you get older, orthodontics can really help.
Healthy Bone to Hold Your Teeth
One important limitation you might face is that moving your teeth depends on your body’s ability to generate and maintain bone around your teeth. If you don’t have adequate bone or if your body’s ability to heal bone is impaired, then you might not be a good candidate for braces.
Sometimes, we can use what is called instant orthodontics. This involves reshaping your teeth with porcelain veneers or dental crowns so that the visible portion is straightened without having to move the tooth roots.
Previous Dental Work
Some dental work may make you a poor candidate for orthodontics. Dental implants are a big limitation since they can’t be moved like your natural teeth. But often we can work around them. For example, if you only have implants in the back, and you’re just looking to straighten the front teeth, then we can just leave the implants alone while straightening other teeth.
Some tooth restorations can be problematic, too. Dental fillings, especially large metal fillings, can weaken a tooth so it might not stand up to the pressures required for orthodontic work. It can also be hard for the wire braces brackets to bond to dental crowns or veneers. Invisalign can sometimes get around this.
Oral Health and Hygiene
Gum disease risks increase with age, so we want to make sure your mouth is healthy before we begin orthodontic treatment. Orthodontics also makes cleaning your teeth harder during treatment, which can be a major factor for people with arthritis who are already finding it hard to keep their teeth clean.
Lots of Orthodontic Treatment Options to Choose From
No longer do people have to limit their orthodontic treatment to metal braces only. At Kuzma Advanced Dentistry, we offer two alternatives to metal braces: Invisalign and functional braces.
Invisalign is the top treatment choice by adults due to its convenience, discreetness, and comfort. Instead of having metal braces on display for everyone to see, Invisalign uses plastic clear aligners to straighten your teeth. Since they are transparent, they’re nearly undetectable to the naked eye. Therefore you can straighten your teeth without feeling embarrassed that anyone will know you opted for orthodontics at your age. As a bonus, they’re removable, so you don’t have to make any diet adjustments throughout your treatment.
Our last option for braces in Wilmington is functional braces. Functional braces improve the appearance of your teeth in addition to helping them function better. They improve the function of teeth by resolving occlusion problems that may contribute to TMJ disorders. Following your treatment, you may find that your bite rests more comfortably and your teeth look much better.
Schedule a Consultation For Braces in Wilmington, NC
The only way we can really tell if orthodontics is right for you is with a consultation. We will evaluate your oral health and talk to you about some of the benefits and risks before making a comprehensive treatment plan.
If you want to talk to a Wilmington, NC cosmetic dentist about braces at any age, please call (910) 392-6060 for an appointment at Kuzma Advanced Dentistry.
