The straight story on adult braces is that it’s likely a more popular phenomenon than you realized.
Just because you may be a bit long in the tooth doesn’t mean that that tooth has to be crooked.
Tom Cruise. Katherine Heigl. And the A-list of adults who have worn braces goes on …
It’s never too late to get straight teeth, whether you’re a celebrity who’s constantly mugging for the camera or simply want an extra boost of self-confidence.
You Are Not Alone
While exact numbers are tough to nail down, as many as 20 percent of the four million Americans currently wearing braces are adults. Often times, the desire to straighten teeth later in life is rooted in both a desire to look healthier and feel healthier.
For many of these adults, it’s the first time they’ve undergone orthodontic treatment. Others may have previously worn braces as a child – but are seeking to get straight teeth again after their bite shifted later in life. It’s not uncommon for patients in their 70s who’ve had teeth collapse or TMJ issues seek out orthodontic treatment.
The Advantage of Experience
A general rule of thumb is that simply because of when tooth and jaw development occurs, children are likely to achieve faster results than adults through the use of braces. But adult patients often level this playing field through their patience, perseverance and discipline.
In other words, when you’re financing your own treatment and have a higher appreciation for the consequences of your actions, you’re simply more likely to brush and floss, to make all your appointments, and to avoid foods that are hard or sticky.
Ultimately, whereas child patients may not be making the choice to get straight teeth, adult patients are naturally motivated to follow the prescribed treatment plan.
Finally, here is a parting word. The field of orthodontics is constantly evolving. So even if you waited 20 years or more to visit an orthodontic to get straight teeth, you have options available to you that you wouldn’t have had as a child decades ago. And these solutions are often faster, more affordable and proven to produce better results. Take clear aligners, such as Clear Correct or Invisalign, for example. These are relatively new solutions that are, in effect, removable, clear plastic braces. There are a number of other more discrete, state-of-the-art treatments available as well. Be sure to ask your orthodontist which is right for you.
So what is your biggest concern about getting braces later in life? The look and feel? The cost?
