If you have misalignment issues, you don’t need to put up with metal brackets and wires to get the results that you’re looking for. Invisalign uses a series of clear aligners to slowly shift the teeth to their rightful locations. The best part: Invisalign is practically invisible! No one will be able to tell that you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. Invisalign is an excellent option for teens and adults, but is there an upper age limit? Here’s what you should know.
Is Orthodontic Treatment Different for Older Adults?
Many older adults may think that they’ve missed their opportunity for getting orthodontic treatment. This is usually because they have been told that their jaws and teeth are fully developed and set in place. Teenage patients still have malleable jaws and teeth, allowing them to be moved around more easily, but this doesn’t mean that it isn’t possible when you get older. When the correct amount of pressure is applied precisely to the teeth, they will slowly shift to their optimal positions. Whether you have slight misalignment or very crooked teeth, orthodontic treatment is still an option.
What Does the Invisalign Process Look Like?
As opposed to using metal brackets and wires to move teeth around, Invisalign uses a series of clear aligners to slowly shift the teeth into their rightful locations. Most people wear each set of aligners for about two weeks before moving onto the next set. However, this can vary depending on your personalized treatment plan. The number of sets you need and the length of your treatment is determined by your dentist.
What Are the Benefits of Invisalign?
Invisalign offers a wide range of benefits. Here are a handful of them:
- Easy Maintenance: Cleaning around metal brackets and wires can be challenging.
- Appearance: The most obvious advantage of Invisalign is that the aligners are nearly invisible. This way, you don’t need to show off metal hardware.
- Dietary Changes: When you have braces, you need to avoid foods that are chewy and hard. With Invisalign, you take out your aligners to eat, so you don’t need to change your diet. You can still enjoy all of your favorite foods.
- Comfort: Invisalign’s smooth plastic design means that your soft tissues won’t be irritated by pointy wires.
- Effective: Just like traditional braces, Invisalign can fix a range of misalignment issues, like overcrowding, underbites, crossbites, open bites, and gaps.
Age isn’t a factor that will get in the way of your ability to get Invisalign. By scheduling a consultation with your dentist, a treatment plan can be made to meet your needs.
About the Author
Dr. David W. Cordes is an experienced orthodontist who has been working in the field for more than two decades. He earned his dental doctorate from the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. Currently, he is a proud member of several professional dental organizations, including the Northeastern Society of Orthodontics and the American Association of Orthodontics. For more information or to schedule a consultation, visit his website or call (413) 562-8100.