Braces For Adults.. Age Limit For Braces

Did you miss out on dental braces in your adolescence? Are you worried about your smile in adulthood? Are you confused about the age limit for braces or orthodontic treatment? You don’t need to worry. In this article, you will get detailed knowledge about braces for adults.

Nowadays a lot of adults want to get their teeth straightened. One may become conscious about their smile at adulthood. So if you’re one of them, then there’s good news for you. Orthodontic braces can be placed at any age given that you have healthy oral health and adequate jaw size. Even if you have already undergone orthodontic treatment at teenage and relapse has occurred i.e. teeth have again returned to their original position, you are again eligible for the re-treatment at any age.

There are many misbeliefs about adult braces. So you might be confused about whether to opt for the treatment or not. Let’s understand common myths about braces for adults.

Following are certain myths about braces for adults that we encounter in day-to-day dental practice.

Have I missed the age limit for dental braces? Am I too old now for getting orthodontic braces? These are some questions which we (dentists) hear most frequently, and the answer is No. There is no age limit to get a healthy smile with well-aligned teeth.

You might wonder but it’s a fact that forces from dental braces or Invisalign move the teeth into the desired place in the same way whether you are 13 or 60 years old.

Of course, there are certain advantages to undergoing braces treatment while the jaw is still growing. But it doesn’t mean that braces for adults are not favorable.

In fact, there are certain benefits of undergoing braces treatment in adulthood. The success of any treatment depends on your discipline. You have to follow the instructions given by your orthodontist for proper results. Since you are an adult, you can follow the instructions given by the orthodontist such as maintaining proper oral hygiene, diet restrictions, or wearing post-treatment retainers. In my experience, adults follow the instructions appropriately as compared to adolescents. Following these guidelines will improve the outcomes of treatment. Hence, braces for adults are a good choice for sure.

Dentistry is continuously developing with new inventions. With the latest techniques and appliances, orthodontic treatment becomes less time-consuming. With the proper planning and execution of the treatment, the treatment will get completed at the same time as an adolescent’s orthodontic treatment. The only condition is that you have to maintain the braces as advised by the orthodontist which will speed up the treatment.

Of course, using braces for adults will improve your looks and facial structure but there are lots of other benefits also. If you have crowded teeth, it is difficult to clean properly since a toothbrush cannot reach through the crowding. There will be plaque accumulation and cavity formation in the crowded teeth. If you have straight teeth, then it is easier to clean the teeth and avoid gum diseases and cavities on teeth. It is very essential to maintain oral hygiene during pregnancy since gingivitis in pregnancy may lead to premature birth. Since gum diseases are associated with systemic diseases like diabetes, heart diseases, stroke, etc, it is essential to avoid gum diseases by having Straight teeth.

You might think that braces will be too noticeable in adulthood and it will affect your appearance till the treatment is complete. With the latest advancements in dentistry, you can get braces that are difficult to notice. Along with traditional metal braces, there are certain options available such as ceramics braces or Invisalign which will not be noticeable to others. Ceramic braces are tooth-colored braces that function similar to metal braces but will have the benefit of tooth-colored brackets. Invisalign is also difficult to notice. So you can definitely go with them without worrying about looks.

With advancements in modern dentistry, braces are able to move teeth gently with minimal or no pain. You may experience some minor discomfort at the initial stages but there will be no severe pain. You may also experience some mouth ulcers during the initial days of treatment for which your dentist will prescribe some medications. Once you get used to the braces, you will not feel any discomfort. Apart from this minor discomfort, there will be no severe pain during the orthodontic treatment.

There is not much difference in the expenses for braces for adults and kids. The cost might be the same or slightly higher than kid’s braces. However, if you choose ceramic braces or Invisalign, it will cost more than traditional metal braces. But trust me it’s an investment for a lifetime. Once you invest some money for orthodontic treatment, you will get straight teeth for a lifetime which will be easy to clean and chances of developing gum diseases and cavity formation will reduce. So braces for adults are not expensive when compared with the results you get for a lifetime.

You can definitely ignore this myth about adult braces. Of Course, your orthodontist will advise you to avoid eating sticky and hard foods. You can eat your favorite foods with caution. You have to bite the food slowly without adding too much pressure on the brackets. So you can enjoy your favorite food just with some care until the treatment is complete.

If you have missed the orthodontic treatment in adolescence, you should definitely get braces for adults since straight teeth have the following benefits.

So considering all these benefits, don’t hesitate to wear braces for adults. They will definitely benefit you for a lifetime.

Dr. Sagar Sultane

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