Orthodontics is not just for children and teens. In fact, 25% of our patients in treatment are adults, Most of them utilizing Invisalign®. No one is too old for orthodontic treatment!
Adults seek orthodontic treatment for similar reasons as children. Some adults had orthodontic problems as children but were unable to correct them until now. Others who had treatment as children may need further treatment as adults due to relapse or limitations in initial treatment.
Fun fact: during the middle of the day, it is not uncommon that ALL of the patients in the office are adults! You will not be alone.
Benefits of Adult Orthodontics
Adults can benefit from orthodontic treatment in many ways:
- Align the teeth to create a more aesthetic and beautiful smile
- Correct relapse after previous orthodontic treatment due to 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 improve 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 discrepancies between the upper and lower jaws.
Appearance of Braces
Many adults are concerned about the appearance of braces. Invisalign® (the nearly invisible alternative to braces) is what we utilize to treat most of our adults. This technology involves clear removable aligners fabricated through advanced 3D imaging to align the teeth. For more severe problems, we have the option of clear ceramic brackets instead of metal.
Soreness | Discomfort
Orthodontic treatment is no more uncomfortable for adults than 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 24-28 hours after an orthodontic adjustment, and the discomfort will disappear within 3 to 5 days. Modern appliances are smaller and more comfortable to wear. Modern techniques, with the new titanium technology, put less pressure on the teeth to cause discomfort while moving the teeth more rapidly and efficiently.
Most patients who have had both tell us that Invisalign® is less painful than braces and most of our adults have Invisalign®.
Cost of Adult Orthodontics
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 length of time to correct. At Total Orthodontics, we have treated MANY individuals in their 50s, 60s, and 70s, as well as a few dozen who are in their 80s and 90s! It is never too late to gain the smile you have always wanted.
Limited, more affordable Orthodontic corrections
In addition to comprehensive treatment, we offer limited treatment options with limited objectives for our adult patients whenever possible. Some of our limited objective treatments are completed in under 6 months and are most often completed using Invisalign®. These limited objective treatments are typically less costly than “full” corrective orthodontics.
