Many adults have orthodontic issues they’d like to fix, but either put it off or don’t know if they can even receive orthodontic treatment. While orthodontic treatment is most commonly associated with children and teenagers, adults can obtain it too. Adult orthodontic treatment provides wonderful solutions to the health of your teeth and the beauty of your smile. Here’s what you need to know about adult orthodontic treatment.
Aren’t Adults Too Old For Orthodontic Treatment?
The majority of people who get orthodontic treatment are children and teenagers which is why so many adults think that they’re too old for it and that they simply have to deal with whatever problems arise. While it is easier to treat orthodontic issues the younger you are because adult bones are denser than those of children, adult teeth can be moved too and adults face many of the same problems as children. Adult orthodontic treatment isn’t as uncommon as you may think! In fact, 1 in 4 orthodontic patients are adults. You can get treatment at any age.
Common Adult Orthodontic Problems
While adult orthodontic treatment is often associated with cosmetic concerns and wanting straight teeth in order to feel more confident in their smile, there are a number of other reasons why adults seek out orthodontic treatment that are more often than not the same reasons why kids get orthodontic treatment.
Crooked teeth are very common and they affect more than just how straight your smile is. When your teeth aren’t aligned, this makes them harder to clean and easier for bacteria to settle in, putting them at higher risk for decay and gum disease. Plus, if your teeth are misaligned, this causes uneven wear, which can spiral into problems like cracked teeth and more. Straightening your teeth will make them easier to clean and boost your oral health.
Issues with your bite are another reason to seek out adult orthodontic treatment. Regardless of whether you have an overbite, an underbite, or a crossbite, any issue with your bite can increase the potential for breaking a tooth, problems with chewing, and possibility of damage.
Teeth shift as you age, which not only can cause your teeth to become crooked even if they weren’t before, but also cause overcrowding. Similar to crooked teeth, this makes it harder to clean them, especially to floss, but it also makes you more susceptible to cavities and gum disease.
How Is Adult Orthodontic Treatment Different?
As previously mentioned, adult teeth are denser than those of children. This makes them harder to move which means that adult orthodontic treatment usually takes longer. In some cases, since your bones have stopped growing, this means that you may need surgery in some cases in order to fix certain structural problems. However, orthodontic treatment as a whole is generally the same. No matter if your teeth are fully matured or not, they’ll move with consistent force that’s put on them over time. As such, adult orthodontic treatment can be just as successful as that of children.
Common Concerns With Adult Orthodontic Treatment
When people think orthodontics, it’s very common for their mind to go to metal braces that you can clearly see. This is a common reason why adults get put off by the idea of obtaining orthodontic treatment, because they don’t want to have clearly visible braces and they’re worried about what people will think of them. If this is you, you’ll be pleased to know that there are a variety of options available to you, such as clear aligners like Invisalign which aren’t anywhere near as obvious.
Another reason why adults get put off by the idea of seeing an orthodontist is the cost. In the United States especially, any kind of medical treatments are notorious for being astronomically expensive. You may think it’s just easier to deal with the problems you want to fix then to shell out all that money. Bailey Orthodontics offers affordable financing options in order to alleviate the financial burden treatment could cause you so that you can get the treatment that you need. There are also some insurances that cover orthodontic treatments for adults.
Perhaps the most common concern with adult orthodontic treatment is simply that you’re too old and that it won’t work for you. As mentioned above, adult orthodontic treatment is not only possible, but can provide incredible results so that you can improve your oral health in addition to the straightness of your smile.
We Provide Adult Orthodontic Treatment
Do you need orthodontic treatment? Bailey Orthodontics is here for you. We’re passionate about providing you with the exceptional treatment you need for the good of your health. To learn more about the treatments we offer or to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to contact us today!
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