ADULT ORTHODONTICS
Adult's Guide To Orthodontic Treatment
Phrases such as “Braces are only for kinds” and “ I’m too old for braces” are no longer true in our modern and fast-changing world. According to the American Association of Orthodontics 20% of the adult population exhibits deviation from the ideal bite. It means that 1 out of 5 adults can benefit from comprehensive orthodontic treatment. At Archer Dental we focus on comprehensive and holistic approach for dental treatment. And here is why.
New technology in dentistry allows the treatment to be more comfortable and less noticeable. Individuals of all ages can benefit from modern advancements in orthodontics. Many of treatment options that we offer at Archer Dental are designed to make the orthodontic appliance fit any lifestyle and be more esthetic.
How Orthodontic Treatment Differs In Teens vs Adults?
The biggest difference in adults orthodontic treatment is that adult's are no longer growing. As a results, treatment may take slightly longer when you are older.
While we are young, we benefit from plentiful stem cells that play a key role in regeneration and healing process. Stem cells have the ability to turn into the tissue that is damaged or undergoing regeneration. Another thing about getting older is that our problems accumulate throughout life. Oftentimes it’s really hard, if not impossible, to fix the one problem without first solving the other problem.
Another thing about getting older is that our problems accumulate throughout life.
Real Life Examples
Here is a real example. Jorge, 30 years old comes to the office and states that he got elbowed and his front tooth got knocked out while playing basketball. Now Jorge needs an implant or a bridge to replace the front tooth. But here is the problem: Since Jorge never had orthodontic treatment and his bite is less than ideal - the implant will in a way “freeze” his bite and orthodontic treatment won’t be feasible after restoring the front tooth.
So, if we carry a luggage of unsolved problems, new problems simply pile up on the top, making is difficult to unwind. And in dentistry, as you might know “difficult” translates into “costly”.
Another example is pathological tooth shortening due to an unbalanced bite. Usually teeth shortening is asymptomatic, until the front teeth become too short and look like little squares. Now bringing the bite into the ideal relationship might require orthodontic treatment and putting crowns on multiple teeth.
The Takeaway
Knowing how improper bite will affect oral health in the long term, more and more adults choose to get orthodontic treatment such as braces and Invisalign. Having braces at any age has become socially acceptable.
Here is more information that supports these claims. Nowadays there are multiple “Do It Yourself” companies who offer straightening teeth services. These companies wouldn’t be able to survive without the demand of adult population. While DIY, or as some dentists call them “ You Did It To Yourself “ have questionable future, there is no question that orthodontic treatment has no age limitation.
When it comes to orthodontic treatment - we should be proactive. Letting go of occlusion problem will only make it worse in the future. Get started with your treatment, call now!