Can Adults Correct Crooked Teeth?

We are all used to seeing teens in their braces, but what if you need them as an adult? Can adults have braces? The answer is yes! Conveniently, at Stonebrook Family Dental, we offer Invisalign, an aligner made up of smooth, clear plastic that won’t have your mouth filled with metal while your teeth straighten out. 

When Adults Might Need Braces 

An adult might need braces to correct a number of different conditions. Did you know it’s said that only 35 percent of adults have teeth that correctly aligned? If you’re an adult, you might need braces if you’re showing signs of:

• Teeth that are visibly crooked or crowded
• Difficulty flossing between and brushing around crooked teeth
• Frequently biting your tongue or cutting your tongue on your teeth
• Teeth that don’t close over each other properly when your mouth is at rest
• Difficulty pronouncing certain sounds due to your tongues position under your teeth
• Jaws that click or make noises when you chew or after sleeping 
• Stress or fatigue on your jawline after chewing food 

Aging and Braces 

In a perfect world, teeth would always line up exactly as they should. However, more often than not, people have to fight with teeth that don’t line up straight, are crooked, crowded, and more. These issues aren’t only cosmetic, but they can also affect the way that you eat, talk, and even clean your teeth. If you suffer from these conditions, you are more likely to suffer from tooth decay or gum disease. Ideally, childhood is the perfect time to correct the positioning of teeth because the bones aren’t done growing. These days, however, more and more adults are opting in for orthodontic treatment and still achieving good results. If you’re an adult considering orthodontic care, Harvard Health notes a few things to keep in mind:

• The bones of adults have stopped growing, meaning some structural changes cannot be accomplished solely with orthodontic care. 
• Orthodontic care may take longer for you as an adult than it would if you were a child or teen. The average time it takes varies from person to person, however, on average, it can take up to two years. 
• If you are receiving orthodontic treatment, your gums will also need to be thoroughly monitored to make sure that your orthodontic work isn’t being threatened by bone loss due to gum disease. 

Adults and Invisalign

Let’s face it, as you get older, the last thing you want is metal braces to deal with. With Invisalign, you can straighten your teeth without having to deal with the metal wires and brackets. Invisalign aligners are made of a smooth, clear plastic that is virtually invisible. This means that you can straighten your teeth without anyone being able to notice you’re wearing them. While each patient is different, most patients can complete Invisalign treatment in as little as 12 months.

Perks of Invisalign 

Unlike with metal braces, your diet isn’t limited with Invisalign. If you have metal braces, you aren’t able to eat things that could potentially mess with your brackets and wires. This often means not eating things like popcorn or chewing gum. However, with Invisalign, you are able to enjoy all of your favorite foods because you are able to completely remove the aligners while you eat. 

Invisalign aligners are also designed for increased comfort. You won’t have any wires that poke you in your gums or cheeks as the aligners fit snug and smooth over your teeth. Once you get used to wearing them, you won’t even notice them.  

Further, if you have a job that requires you to be athletic or play an instrument, or if you just have those hobbies, you won’t have metal brackets that hinder you from doing the things you want to. 

Another perk of Invisalign is that you will be able to see your results in advance. Our 3-D imaging software can easily show you a preview of what your teeth will look like when your treatment comes to an end. Not only will this get you motivated for your treatment, but it also shows you how your own aligners are custom-made for your individual needs. 

Invisalign Maintenance

These aligners are easily cleaned and maintained by merely scrubbing them with your toothbrush and water. Alternatively you can also use antibacterial hand soap and a separate toothbrush to enhance your cleaning efforts if needed. You should always rinse your aligners well before reinserting them back into your mouth. 

Straighten Your Teeth with Stonebrook Family Dental

No matter your age, you deserve to have a smile you are confident about. Not only are straight teeth cosmetically beneficial, but they also provide you with the chance to reduce your risk of gum disease and tooth decay because straight teeth are easier to care for. If you’re ready to have straighter teeth, make an appointment with Stonebrook Family Dental today by calling us at (303)-872-7907.