You might think of your teeth as immovable mounds in your mouth, but the truth is they’re held in place by tissues, muscles, and ligaments that have a natural capacity for movement. Unfortunately, that means it’s possible for them to be pushed out of alignment later in life, even if you’ve always enjoyed a perfectly straight smile.
Braces are the tried-and-true solution for repositioning teeth, but some people worry that they’re too old to undergo treatment. Thankfully, there’s no age limit on upgrading your grin. Continue reading to learn 3 reasons to undergo traditional orthodontics as an adult!
Reason #1: It’s Not Too Late
Because so many patients get braces in their teens, before their jawbone has fully firmed up, some older adults worry that they’re too late to pursue treatment. Thankfully, that’s not the case! Your teeth can still shift, though it might take longer because your bone may be harder or more brittle.
It usually takes anywhere from 18 to 24+ months for traditional orthodontics to reposition your teeth, though it may be more or less depending on your unique situation. If you’re unsure whether you’re able to get braces or want to know how long it might take, the best way to get accurate information is to consult your orthodontist; they can provide answers based on your individual circumstances.
Reason #2: There Are Many Options
Thanks to ongoing developments in dental and orthodontic technology, materials, and techniques, patients getting braces today have more options to choose from than ever before. For example, you can go the traditional route with standard metal brackets and wires, or you can opt for clear braces made from plastic, ceramic, or composite resin that match your teeth.
You might even be a good candidate for clear aligners, like Invisalign, that use transparent plastic trays designed to fit snugly over your arches to gently shift your teeth to their rightful places. That way, you don’t have to worry about your orthodontics interfering with your appearance.
Reason #3: Improve Your Oral Health
Many patients think of their crooked smile as merely an aesthetic frustration, but overlapping teeth are harder to clean. When some of your enamel is blocked, brushing and flossing away plaque and bacteria is harder, increasing your vulnerability to common oral issues, like gingivitis or tooth decay.
Once you straighten your grin with braces, you’ll be able to scrub all the surfaces of your teeth to protect and preserve your dental health.
If you’re still unsure whether braces are right for you, the next best step is to contact your provider and schedule a consultation!
Meet the Author
Dr. Justyna Balicka is a board-certified orthodontist who takes pride in helping patients of any age improve their oral well-being by repositioning their teeth. She graduated from the New York University College of Dentistry and underwent three years of an orthodontic residency program at St. Barnabas Hospital. Today, she is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, so you can trust that your smile is in good hands. She offers a variety of orthodontic treatments to address even the most severe misalignments, and her multi-lingual team goes above and beyond to help you feel welcomed. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (631) 201-8100.