We are often asked the question, “Is it too late for me to get braces?”
The simple answer to that question is, no matter your age, “No.”
We believe that it is never too late to get that perfect smile! Straight teeth not only look good, but they also have health benefits. More and more adults are going to the orthodontist these days to get braces and improve their smile or bite. Orthodontists treat adult patients differently than they would younger patients often because they may have different needs or reasons for getting the braces, and less growth to assist the orthodontist. We still consider patients under the age of 16 young patients with some growth potential when it comes to braces; mainly because this age group will still experience some jaw growth as the braces are moving the teeth. After the age of 20, most bone growth has stopped. Therefore, it is the job of a well-trained orthodontist to know how to treat patients who are in zero or minimal growth situation. Adults also face more challenges with teeth that may have fillings, some amount of gum tissue loss or recession, or even missing teeth.
It is very common for adults to wear braces. Adults make up almost half the worldwide population of orthodontic patients today. It is no longer “just for kids.” Everyone wants to achieve a youthful, healthy smile and bite. Today people are living longer and there are great benefits to preserving our teeth and creating a lifelong smile that we are not self-conscious about. Besides being more appealing to look at, straight teeth also offer the benefits of better oral health. When teeth are misaligned, there is more of a chance for plaque to build up on the teeth leading to gum disease and tooth decay.
Many adults are also outstanding candidates for Invisalign – orthodontic treatment using clear aligners. Our orthodontists are preferred premier Invisalign providers well versed in diagnosing and treating patients using Invisalign. While not everyone is a good candidate for Invisalign, please ask our orthodontists at your visit if you would be a good candidate. Depending on your chief concerns, you may be surprised to find you could wear Invisalign instead of braces.
For many, the small inconvenience of wearing the braces or using Invisalign aligners for a short time, can pay off with a lifetime of confidence and beautiful smiles. With all the options for braces today, this can be achieved without the old mouth full of metal. There are clear braces that are less noticeable than braces of the past and, as mentioned above, Invisalign. Ask any of our dentists if you are interested in fixing your smile; we would love to assist you!
About Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan, the offices of Drs. Delaney, Plunkett, Ralstrom, Makowski, Thanasas, Ker, and Associates
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan have specialized in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics since 1968. Our family-friendly office gives patients and families a more comfortable and consistent experience with dentistry from the very beginning. The pediatric dentists treat children from newborn to 18 years of age while our orthodontists provide care for both children and adults, including being an Invisalign preferred provider. The ability to treat all special needs patients reaches beyond our facility, which has treatment rooms available for children who require additional privacy. Valued hospital affiliations allow dental services to be performed at DMC Children’s Hospital and St. John’s Hospital Macomb when needed. Our specialists are also on staff at Henry Ford and Beaumont hospitals.
