The Busy Professional’s Primer on Adult Orthodontics

Most of the time we associate orthodontic treatment with the tween and teen years and just assume that when we become an adult that we have missed our opportunity. But that is not correct.

You shouldn’t shortchange yourself by thinking you can’t get orthodontic treatment later in life. We are all living a lot longer than we used to and quality of life is important to us.

Another concern that a lot of adults have with adult orthodontics is that their teeth are fully set in their jaws and can no longer move, and that teenagers, on the other hand, still have malleable enough jaws and teeth, that they can move their teeth and have them reset to a nice, perfect straightness.

The truth is that with the right pressure, you can straighten you teeth at any age. The mechanism is exactly the same. As you put pressure on the teeth, they will slowly, but surely, start to move. Whether you have relatively straight teeth already and just want to put a few of your teeth into a more optimal position, or all of your teeth are very crooked and you need a full treatment, Invisalign or braces are still an option for you.

The one thing you will need to consider though is the overall health of your mouth. If you have missing teeth or gum disease, or teeth are really weak then you will need to take care of that before you can start orthodontic treatment.

The most common problems Invisalign and braces are used to treat include gapped teeth, an overbite which occurs when the upper teeth protrude out over the lower teeth, underbite which is when the lower teeth protrude past the upper teeth and an open bite where the teeth are not aligned properly for a proper bite. Other treatable issues are overcrowding of teeth and a crossbite which can happen if both the upper and lower jaws are not aligned properly.

Now Is The Time to Do Something For Yourself

In the last ten to twenty years, more and more adults are choosing to get braces. Whether it is because their parents couldn’t afford for them when they were young and now they have the money to do it for themselves or because they didn’t develop teeth spacing issues until later in life, adults are choosing to give themselves the gift of a healthy, beautiful smile.

As we get older, our need to feel good about ourselves doesn’t wane. Over the years as your oral health has deteriorated and you became self-conscious and gaps and crooked teeth, your self-confidence probably took a big hit. If you want to advance in your career and have close, intimate relationships with family, friends and significant others than you need to feel confident in your smile. If you are too embarrassed to smile, or worse yet, to even leave the house, the shame and isolation you feel can affect you mentally and emotionally. If however you were able to get that beautiful smile you have always wanted, then you will find yourself transformed and everyone around you will notice the difference.

Orthodontics improves not only the aesthetics of your smile, but also the functionality and health of your teeth. With crooked teeth, it is a lot harder to properly brush and floss your teeth and gums. Plaque and bacteria tend to buildup in those hard to reach spots. If you find yourself getting a lot of cavities and dealing with gum problems than a straighter smile can help keep your teeth and gums cleaner and healthier. This is important at any age, but as you get older with the natural wear and tear on your teeth, preserving your natural teeth becomes even more crucial. Avoid having years of extra dental work and suffering through periodontal disease by straightening your teeth now.

Poor oral health is also linked to other health issues like heart disease and stroke. That is why it is never too late to get adult orthodontics.

Don’t Let Your Busy Adult Life Get in the Way

Most orthodontic offices offer flexible appointment times and will work with you around your work and family schedules so don’t let your hectic schedule get in the way of taking care of yourself. You can get evening and Saturday appointments to make things easier. If you choose Invisalign, there are a lot of benefits for a professional on the go. Read more here.

Deciding On Orthodontic Treatment

A lot of factors go into deciding which treatment option is best for you: condition of your teeth and level of work needed, your budget, and personal preferences like shorter length of treatment, fewer dietary restrictions and how important it is to you that the braces be “invisible” to the casual observer. Your best bet is to consult with a few orthodontists and look at all the facts before making a decision. For your particular situation, the metal braces might be the most effective. That beautiful, healthy smile at the end is worth it though, right?

Want to learn more about our expert care at Orthodontics Limited? We are experienced in adult orthodontics and can help you get that healthy, beautiful smile you have always dreamed about. Give us a call today and ask about Philadelphia Invisalign.