A question we commonly hear from adult patients is whether they are too old for orthodontic treatment. Rese or clear aligners will be used to gradually put gentle pressure on the teeth. Advances in orthodontic science hawhen it comes to treatment. The best way to get started is to contact us at Melbourne Orthodontics and schedule your first appointment.

A question we commonly hear from adult patients is whether they are too old for orthodontic treatment. Research published by the National Institutes of Health has found that most adults over the age of 40 believe they are too old for orthodontic treatment. This is not the case, however. Your orthodontist in Melbourne can likely work with you to straighten your teeth or correct orthodontic problems at almost any age. Here are some things to know about orthodontic treatment as an adult.

Adult Teeth Can be Straightened

No matter what a patient’s age is, the same biological process is required to shift and straighten their teeth. An orthodontic appliance such as braces or Invisalign trays are used to exert pressure on the teeth, in order to shift them through bone. A lot of orthodontic problems are as easy to fix in adults as they are in kids. One difference is that the bone tissue of adults is denser than it is in children and teens, so the treatment of an adult might take slightly longer.

How Adult Treatment Differs

The main difference in orthodontic treatment when you’re an adult is that you’re no longer growing. The maturity and density of your bone structure can make the treatment time slightly longer than correcting the same problem in a child or teen.

Adults are also more likely to have fillings, missing teeth, dental disease, or other issues. Habits like bruxism (teeth grinding), smoking and some medications can also have an impact on the effectiveness of a patient’s treatment. Your Melbourne orthodontist will work closely with your primary care dentist in order to optimize your treatment plan. In some cases, we may need to add a specialist like an oral surgeon or an endodontist to the mix to offer the fullest solution to a patient’s orthodontic problems.

How Adult Orthodontic Treatment Works

After an appointment with your orthodontist in Melbourne, the best course of treatment will be recommended to you. Orthodontic appliances like braces or clear aligners will be used to gradually put gentle pressure on the teeth. Advances in orthodontic science have made treatment more comfortable and less noticeable than ever before.

Treatment options can include not only traditional wire and metal braces, but also tooth-colored ceramic braces, and Invisalign trays. Not every appliance is the correct one, depending on what sort of treatment you need. Your orthodontist will be able to recommend the best treatment option.

Length of Orthodontic Treatment in Adults

The average length of treatment for adults is around 22 months. When you consider that the average treatment time in children and teens is around 18 months, this isn’t a significant difference. During treatment, you will have regular appointments with your Melbourne orthodontist scheduled for checkups and adjustments. Orthodontic visits may be slightly less frequent when you are being treated with Invisalign.

If you are being treated with braces as an adult, your appointments will be scheduled approximately every six to eight weeks. The doctor will adjust and tighten your braces to keep slowly and gradually shifting the teeth over time.

The amount of time that it takes to undergo treatment with braces is relatively minor when compared to the benefits you will enjoy for the rest of your life. Your overall dental health will be improved since it’s easier to brush and floss straight teeth. Chewing foods can become easier after your teeth have been straightened and your bite has been improved. Teeth that are perfectly straight will also provide a confidence boost in professional or social situations.

If you wait until adulthood, it’s not too late to benefit from orthodontic treatment. Your age probably won’t be that much of a factor when it comes to treatment. The best way to get started is to contact us at Melbourne Orthodontics and schedule your first appointment.