You are never too old for orthodontic treatment. Your orthodontist considers many variables when developing your individual treatment plan, but age is rarely the deciding factor. Orthodontic treatment is just as successful for adults as it is for teens. Today, 1 in 4 orthodontic patients are adults. Below Aloe Dental Wellness will describe the orthodontic process for adults.
Using Orthodontics For Adults
Whether you are 8 or 80, the physical process of moving teeth through bone is the same. Over time, teeth move in response to forces applied to them. Many orthodontic problems can be corrected as easily in adults as in children/adolescents. The biggest difference between adult and child/teen orthodontics is that adults stop growing. Due to the maturity and density of adult bones, adults may require slightly longer treatment times than children/teens with similar problems.
Invisalign For Adults
Invisalign, or invisible aligners, have become one of the most popular orthodontic options over the past decade. Its discreet design and removal capabilities offer orthodontic patients the best of both worlds. With Invisalign patients are able to eat their favorite foods without the discomfort of wires. This treatment is only suitable for disciplined patients who will wear them 22 hours a day. This can make them a poor choice for particularly young patients or those who have difficulty maintaining daily habits. Some problems that Invisalign can treat are:
- Gaps between teeth – Many patients use Invisalign purely for aesthetics. But gaps between teeth are not just a matter of appearance. Gaps can cause adjacent teeth to shift, putting the extra enamel at risk of decay.
- Overbite/Underbite – These types of malocclusion (wrong bite) can often be treated with the Invisalign system.
- Overcrowding – This dental issue can be caused by improperly developed jaws, too many teeth, and other problems. Invisalign can sometimes be used to treat insufficient mouth space, depending on the cause.
- Underbite – Invisalign can help if your two dental arches are not closing properly and are misaligned from left to right.
- Open-bites – This happens when the upper and lower dental arches do not meet when the mouth is closed.
- Previous treatment: They are also a good option for people whose teeth have started to move back into place after previous orthodontic treatment.
Invisalign at Aloe Dental Wellness
The first step towards a clear aligner is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Cadavid. Once she has performed the correct dental examinations and it’s been determined Invisalign is right for you, the next step is to take dental impressions. The resulting impression is then sent to Invisalign to be used to manufacture your personalized set. During treatment, you will usually have the tray changed every two weeks. However, your treatment will be tailored to your oral health, so follow Dr. Cadavid’s instructions carefully. You will be given a retainer after your treatment is complete. This retainer must be worn continuously to ensure that your teeth do not shift back.
If you are an adult hesitant about getting orthodontic treatment don’t miss your chance to have a healthy and beautiful smile. Just because you didn’t have orthodontic treatment when you were young doesn’t stop you from doing something about it now. Dr. Cadavid, who speaks Spanish, is excited to provide UCSB students and staff, as well as the surrounding communities, with a brand-new office equipped with the latest technology and procedure available. Aloe Dental Wellness is proud to provide general, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry services to meet the needs of your entire family as well. Please call us at (805) 454-7727 to book a consultation today!
