Orthodontics for Adults
In the past, most people have considered straightening teeth to be only for adolescents. Over the past 50 years, most orthodontic therapy has been accomplished for young patients. The concept is changing! At this time, over one-fourth of orthodontic therapy is accomplished for adults. If you have interest in straightening your teeth, don’t worry about your age. There are several factors that make adult orthodontics more possible:
- The teeth should not have untreated periodontal (gum and bone) disease. If periodontal disease is present, it should be treated before beginning the orthodontic therapy.
- Fixed prostheses (bridges) should not be present, since teeth that are connected cannot be moved easily. If necessary, fixed bridges can be removed before beginning the orthodontic therapy.
- Temporomandibular joint disfunction (TMD) should be corrected before beginning the orthodontic therapy.
In some situations, orthodontic movement of teeth can be accomplished without showing wires and brackets. There are methods to place the necessary wires on the back surfaces of the teeth; thereby making the procedure esthetically acceptable. InvisALIGN, uses clear “tray like” aligners that are changed every 2 weeks to move teeth without showing any objectionable wires or brackets.
Orthodontic therapy for adults is now possible. If you have interest, we will be pleased to provide further information and appropriate referrals for you to receive this excellent therapy.