Whether you’re 25 or 55, if you’re unhappy with the alignment of your teeth, you might consider an orthodontic treatment but worry that you’re too old. Aren’t braces for teens? Wrong. This common misconception that there’s an age limitation for orthodontics has prevented adults from straightening their teeth. At Center for TMJ and Sleep Apnea, we highly recommend orthodontics for adults of all ages if they can benefit.

Young woman pointing to her teeth with traditional braces

Adult’s Teeth Move Too

The major difference between orthodontics in these two age groups is that adults are no longer growing which makes the jaw bone denser and slightly harder to move teeth. In children and teens, they’re still growing so the jawbone isn’t as dense which makes it easier to move teeth. Although it’s a little more difficult to move an adult’s teeth, this doesn’t mean you can’t get orthodontics. It does mean that your treatment might take a little bit longer than the average child or teen.

Another major difference between adults and children and teens with orthodontic treatments is that adults might have missing teeth, dental crowns, fillings, or other restorations. We might need to adjust their treatment to accommodate their teeth. Adults might also need to improve their oral health before beginning their orthodontic treatment.  No matter what your current oral health situation, you don’t know if you could benefit from orthodontics until you schedule a consultation with Dr. Pribyl at our Lee’s Summit dental office.

Benefits of Orthodontic for Adults

Straightening your teeth won’t just help your smile look better, but it will improve your oral health too! That’s one of the reasons why we encourage adults to seek orthodontic treatment—better oral health is always good. When your teeth are straighter and have better alignment, it prevents plaque and food debris from getting trapped in tiny spaces between your teeth. Straight teeth are much easier to brush and keep clean which helps prevent cavities and gum disease. The better alignment can also prevent you from unevenly wearing down teeth and in some cases prevent TMJ disorders. If improving your oral health and the aesthetic of your smile is a goal of yours, orthodontics are a great option.

Orthodontic Treatment For Adults

When you schedule a consultation with our dentist in Lee’s Summit for adult orthodontics, he will examine your teeth and offer recommendations for which orthodontic treatment type is best for you. Most adults prefer Invisalign treatment because it’s discreet and is just as effective as traditional braces for mild to moderate cases. In addition to Invisalign, we also offer traditional braces, holistic orthodontic treatments, and unique dental technology (VPro) and techniques (MOPS)  to expedite your overall treatment time.

If you’re thinking of getting adult orthodontics, start your journey with us today. Please call (816) 795-1000 to book a consultation.