Am I Too Old to Straighten My Teeth with Invisalign?

Not all of us naturally developed the perfectly aligned smile that you see on the TV. The good news is that you don’t need to settle for a smile that you aren’t proud to show off. There are various teeth straightening options out there, including Invisalign. While orthodontic treatment is common among teens and young adults, this doesn’t mean that you’ve bene missing out. The truth is that you are never too old to get Invisalign. Continue reading to learn more about the treatment process and how it works as an adult.

How Does Orthodontic Treatment Work for Older Adults?

Many older adults think that they have already missed their opportunity for getting orthodontic treatment because they have been told that their jaws and teeth are fully developed and set in place. Teenage patients still have malleable jaws and teeth, allowing them to be moved around more easily, but you can still align your smile, even if you are an adult. When the correct amount of pressure is precisely applied to the teeth, the teeth will slowly move to their optional locations. Whether you have slightly misaligned teeth or teeth that are very crooked, Invisalign is still a good option.

What Does the Invisalign Process Look Like?

Unlike traditional braces, which use metal brackets and wires to move the teeth around, Invisalign uses a series of clear aligners to slowly shift the teeth into their rightful locations. Most people wear each set of aligners for about two weeks before switching to the next set, but this can vary depending on your personalized treatment plan. The number of sets that you need and the length of your overall treatment will be determined by your dentist.

What Are the Benefits of Invisalign?

There are various benefits that Invisalign patients experience at any age. Here are some of the most common ones.

• Easy Maintenance: It can be difficult to keep your teeth clean when you have metal brackets and wires in the way. Invisalign trays can be taken out when you clean your teeth, making it easier to clean thoroughly.
• Natural Appearance: The greatest advantage of getting Invisalign is that the aligners are virtually invisible. Adults don’t usually prefer showing off metal brackets and wires everywhere they go. No one will be able to tell that you are wearing them.
• No Dietary Restrictions: Something that many patients dread about getting braces is the fact that it isn’t a problem when you have Invisalign. Since you remove your aligners to eat, you can enjoy pretty much anything that you want. Just be sure that you clean your teeth thoroughly before putting them back in.
• Comfort: Invisalign’s smooth plastic design means that your soft tissue won’t be irritated by metal brackets and wires.
• Effective: Just like traditional braces, Invisalign can fix a variety of misalignment issues, like overcrowding, underbites, crossbites, open bites, and gaps.

Your age isn’t something that will get in the way of getting Invisalign. By scheduling a consultation with your dentist, a treatment plan can be made just for you.

About the Author

Dr. Travis A. Markle earned his dental doctorate from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. Since then, he has been committed to continuing education to keep his knowledge and skills sharp. Currently, he is a proud Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry, an Associate Fellow in the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, and a member of the American College of Dentists, Southwest Academy of Restorative Dentistry, American Dental Association, and Texas Dental Association. To learn more about Invisalign or to schedule a consultation at his office in Tyler, visit his website or call (903) 597-7902.