It’s never too late to straighten your smile.

What’s holding you back from achieving the smile of your dreams? If it has anything to do with your age, you might want to reconsider! Age is rarely, if ever, a factor in candidacy for dental care, and that includes orthodontic treatment.

Braces and orthodontic appliances are synonymous with children and teens, but they aren’t the only age group receiving orthodontic care. In fact, adult orthodontics is rapidly growing in popularity in every age bracket, from grad students to middle-aged professionals to retired seniors. The truth is, you’re never too old to receive orthodontic treatment, nor is it ever too late to experience the benefits of a straight smile.

Why More Adults Are Getting Orthodontic Treatment

Even just 10 to 15 years ago, it was fairly rare to see an adult with braces. Invisalign has been popular for years, but again, most adults weren’t open about their orthodontic treatment. Fast-forward to today: not only are adults openly pursuing and excited about orthodontic care, but they’re also wearing braces with pride.

According to this study, roughly 27% of all orthodontic patients in the U.S. and Canada are adults. The first sudden surge in popularity occurred between 2012 and 2014, with a 16% increase in adult patients within this two-year range. With every year that passes, this number steadily grows, and the American Association of Orthodontists is confident that the demand and popularity will continue to explode.

So why are adults suddenly so interested in orthodontic treatment? Well, the answer varies widely between patients, but it often comes down to the fact that benefits greatly outweigh the temporary inconveniences of wearing braces or clear aligners. 

Oral and Overall Health Benefits of Adult Orthodontics

If you have crooked teeth or a misaligned bite, one of the best investments you can make is in straightening your smile with adult orthodontics care.

Every adult who opts for orthodontic treatment has their own reason behind their decision. However, every orthodontic patient will wholeheartedly agree that the benefits of adult orthodontics care are worth every penny and every minute of treatment.

Some benefits you’ll experience include:

• A major self-confidence boost that resonates through to your personal and professional life
• An improved bite alignment that eliminates dietary restrictions and allows for easy chewing
• Alleviation of pain and discomfort related to a poor bite (e.g., TMJ pain)
• A more youthful, balanced facial appearance
• Reduced risk of developing gum disease and tooth decay
• Easier brushing and flossing

A straight smile is attractive, certainly, but it’s important to know aesthetics aren’t the only benefit of orthodontic care. Making the decision to straighten your smile is also going to improve your oral health and your general health as well.   

What To Expect From Adult Orthodontics Treatment

You know what benefits you can expect to experience after adult orthodontics treatment, but what about the actual treatment process?

Most adult orthodontics treatment plans are fairly straightforward. There are two main options for straightening teeth: Invisalign and traditional braces. Invisalign is one of the most popular treatment choices for adults because of the subtlety of the clear aligners. Traditional braces are much more obvious, but they are a powerhouse when it comes to aligning severe malocclusion.

Invisalign is a highly effective system capable of treating mild to moderate malocclusion. The average adult can use Invisalign without an issue and expect to be done with treatment in 6 to 18 months. Most adults are finished with treatment in about 12 months.

When Invisalign isn’t an option, traditional braces can take care of the job. Severe malocclusion or teeth with severe rotation or large gaps can’t always be effectively treated with Invisalign. Either Invisalign simply can’t treat the issue, or it will take an extended amount of time with less-than-optimal results. In these situations, traditional braces are the better choice.

Wear time for traditional braces is typically anywhere from 12 to 36 months. This slightly longer average treatment time isn’t because braces are less effective. In fact, traditional braces are equally as effective as Invisalign. The average treatment simply takes longer because braces are often reserved for more severe misalignment that naturally requires more treatment time. 

How do I know if adult orthodontics treatment is right for me?

When you see yourself smile, do you wish your teeth were straight? Have you dreamed of a smile makeover? Are you tired of battling tooth decay and gingivitis because of plaque buildup in your smile’s nooks and crannies? If you said yes to any of these questions, it’s time to schedule an orthodontic evaluation.

Every smile is unique, and every person deserves a healthy smile that boosts their confidence. Adult orthodontics treatment is a great way to improve and preserve your oral health while reaping the benefits of feeling great about your smile. 

An orthodontic evaluation at Dixon, Boles and Associates will help you discover how adult orthodontics treatment can help, which treatment option you’re an ideal candidate for, and how to begin the treatment process. You can schedule your appointment today by calling our Wilson, North Carolina, office or requesting a visit online.