One in three orthodontic patients are over the age of 18, according to the American Association of Orthodontists, and this trend doesn’t show any signs of slowing. It’s no surprise – today’s braces for adults make life easier, not harder. They’re worth the investment and many adults are realizing just how valuable it is to have a strong, beautiful, straight smile.
There Is No Age Limit
Modern braces are customized for every patient. That means you can be 16 or 60 and pursue orthodontics. Not every tooth-straightening method will work for every person, but the options are all on the table at your initial consultation with your Woodinville orthodontist.
At that first meeting you will discuss your smile goals, undergo an examination of your teeth, gums, and bite, and find out what kind of orthodontic treatment is most promising for your malocclusions. Some patients will qualify for Invisalign, others will feel more comfortable with good, old-fashioned brackets and wires.
Ultimately, whatever type of orthodontics you qualify for and whatever method you choose, there is no age cut-off for orthodontic patients, only the desire to have a perfectly aligned smile.
Orthodontic Advancements
A few decades ago, when today’s adults were teens, they may not have had the funds to afford braces. Or they may have had an alignment problem that couldn’t be corrected without a lot of effort and perhaps even surgery. Today’s orthodontic options often make possible what wasn’t even close to an option years ago.
The complexity of each case varies, but some patients discover that straightening their teeth will take far less time than they anticipated. Others discover that the overbite or underbite that was once impossible to fix with a normal round of braces shows promise with your Woodinville orthodontist’s experience and expertise.
Invisible Braces for Adults
One of the biggest perks of today’s orthodontics, of course, is that braces can be practically invisible. Invisalign for adults and clear braces are intended to be subtle, to minimize the appearance of any braces and avoid interfering with a busy adult’s lifestyle.
Braces are different now than they used to be. Many adults didn’t even have the option of anything like Invisalign when they were teenagers – now they do. The clear aligners of Invisalign are thin and smooth and fit snugly against the teeth so they are hard to see. It may even be possible to have braces put on behind your teeth to straighten them discreetly.
Talented Orthodontists
Orthodontists knows that their adult patients want straight smiles as quickly and unobtrusively as possible. They do their best to deliver, but it is also their job to give you the best treatment possible. Together, you will discuss what braces are a possibility for your misalignment before proceeding with any orthodontics or orthodontic alternatives.
Trust, though, that there is a solution to straighten your misaligned teeth and make them more attractive and healthier. Contact your Woodinville orthodontist, Dr. Soleil, to talk about Invisalign for adults and other adult braces.