Is It Too Late to Straighten Your Teeth as an Older Adult?

One way to convey oneself is through your grin. However, if you’re self-conscious about your teeth, you might not feel comfortable flashing a broad smile. Teeth that are crooked or missing can be awkward, and they can also be harmful to your dental health.

The great news is that no matter how old you are, you may get your teeth straightened. Kids are not the only ones who need braces. Even persons in their fifties and sixties can benefit from orthodontic treatment. It doesn’t matter if you had braces when you were young but didn’t use them correctly and your teeth are misaligned or if you have never had braces. The right orthodontic treatment can fix every kind of issue.

Braces for Adults

You might believe that braces are only for children. Perhaps you had braces as a child but aren’t sure if they will benefit you now. When the jawbones are growing during childhood and adolescence, braces work more quickly. However, there are ways to straighten teeth even as an adult and most of the techniques and processes remain similar whether you’re getting orthodontic treatment when you are 15 or 50.

Make an appointment with an orthodontist, a doctor who specialises in aligning teeth, jaws, and bite patterns, if you wish to straighten your teeth. They’ll take x-rays to figure out how to straighten your teeth based on the form of your mouth. Your orthodontist will next recommend a treatment plan for you, including an estimate of how long it will take to straighten your teeth. 

Apart from straightening crooked or crowded teeth, orthodontic treatment can fix a variety of issues like overbites, underbites, deep bites, asymmetrical jaw and excess space between the teeth.

Braces of Different Types

When you decide to straighten your teeth as an adult, you may have a few different alternatives for braces.

Braces in the traditional sense

Your orthodontist will apply metal brackets to each tooth and connect them with wires if you choose traditional braces. Traditional braces have visible brackets. If you are concerned about metal brackets, clear ceramic brackets or ceramic brackets in the same colour as your teeth are also available. Although ceramic brackets are less noticeable than metal brackets, they are nonetheless evident. Orthodontic technology is an extent where adult braces are now more convenient (due to their smaller size)  and comfortable to wear than in the past.

Clear aligners

Clear aligners are a set of transparent, removable trays that go over your teeth, each one slightly moving your teeth over time. They’re straightforward and invisible, making them an excellent choice for folks who are self-conscious about wearing traditional braces. When eating or brushing your teeth, these aligners can be taken out. They’re simple to maintain and may be cleaned with just warm water and soap or toothpaste. 

While clear aligners are the most popular form of treatment due to their subtlety and comfort, they need to be used in a disciplined manner for 20-22 hours per day for them to be effective.

Lingual braces

The function of lingual braces is pretty similar to traditional braces, with a difference in their positioning. Lingual braces are attached to the back of your teeth instead of the front. Because of this special feature, no one will be able to see your braces and thus, this can be considered an invisible form of orthodontic treatment.

While lingual braces are more expensive than other forms of treatment, they can be the best option for those who are especially self-conscious about using braces and are looking for a treatment option that is discreet. Bear in mind that these braces take a longer time to fit and adjust because of their positioning at the back of your teeth.

Surgery 

In some cases, braces and surgery both are required. This is frequently caused by bone problems that limit your ability to operate your jaw. You’ll need additional forms of braces or orthodontics after the surgery. 

Straightening your teeth as an adult has cosmetic benefits. Fixing crooked teeth can boost your self-esteem and make you feel better about your looks. Teeth shift throughout time, and they may no longer line up as well as they previously did. You may feel uneven wear on your teeth due to the misalignments, or you may wear down dental crowns or fillings. Misaligned teeth can cause jaw and cheek pain and prevent you from shutting your mouth correctly. 

Therefore, I would like to say that there is nothing wrong with getting braces when you’re old. In fact, many people do so! According to Orthodontics Australia, 62% of adults in Australia are considering orthodontic treatment. So I think we can safely say that you’re in the majority.

Getting orthodontic treatment does not only improve your dental health; it also has various psychological benefits. You will experience a boost in your self-confidence and gain assurance in your professional as well as your personal life. Thus you will be set for success in all aspects of your life.

However, one thing you need to remember regarding orthodontic treatment is that your teeth will not get fixed overnight; it takes months before you start seeing results. So, be patient because the wait will definitely be worth it!

Rouse Hill Smiles Dental Care makes every effort to give you the best dental care available. Visit our website for more information on our various services, or schedule an appointment because we believe you deserve a healthier, more confident smile.