Senior Smiles: Orthodontic Care After 50 in Atlanta
Think there’s a braces age limit? Think again. There are always a million different reasons to put off receiving essential care, but don’t let age stand in between you and a picture-perfect smile. Going to an orthodontist to see if you can benefit from braces as an adult is the first step in protecting your oral and overall health. Still don’t think adult braces are possible for you? Then keep reading…
Why More Seniors Are Choosing Orthodontics
It’s not just you—adults across the country are asking themselves, “Can you get braces at any age?” and finding the answer is a resounding YES! They’re stepping into their local orthodontist’s office and stepping out with a blueprint for the perfect smile. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, 1 in 3 people receiving orthodontic care is an adult now.
While every person’s decision is their own, there are some common reasons for this uptick in adult orthodontics. The advancement of orthodontic treatments is just one major reason for speeding up treatment timelines. Another is how discrete treatment options have become as well. In other words, orthodontic treatment now fits seamlessly into a busy adult lifestyle.
How Old is too Old for Braces?
As we said before, there is no age limit for braces. Adult braces work the same as braces for children, by applying pressure to the teeth and jaw. This pressure moves the teeth across the jaw and into the desired position. Braces are a great intervention at early ages before the jaw has finished growing because it means results can be achieved with the greatest speed and efficiency possible.
However, the basic processes behind braces are evergreen—they work regardless of the patient’s age or jaw growth. In years past, adults would forgo necessary orthodontic treatment because the treatments were obvious, intrusive, and would take a fairly long time. But that’s not the case anymore, meaning adults don’t need to deny themselves the braces they need.
Why Adults Over 50 Seek Orthodontic Treatment
With so many adults choosing orthodontic treatment these days, it’s worth pausing to consider why. While we already know that treatment options like adult braces are more approachable thanks to improvements that make them more discreet, that’s just part of the picture. Rounding out the rationale for many adults is the health difference that orthodontic treatment makes.
The decision to pursue adult orthodontic treatment often comes after adults learn about how it can improve their oral, mental, and physical health. Correcting common malocclusions through adult orthodontic treatment makes properly cleaning and caring for teeth easier while relieving potential sources of pain.
Types of Adult Braces & Treatment Options
Depending on the type of bite problem, there may be one or multiple causes behind it. For all the types of bite problems mentioned above, genetics can play a significant role in causing the malocclusion in the first place. However, it’s not the only cause that creates a bite problem.
- Adult Braces Options: Adult braces are hardly a one-size-fits-all affair. That’s why there are plenty of options to choose from. There are traditional metal braces, but also ceramic braces, which offer an even more discreet look.
- Lingual Braces: Another option for adult braces, lingual braces go on the inside of the teeth. These are a great option for adults looking for an almost entirely hidden treatment.
- Invisalign bite correction: For some patients, nothing is better than a completely invisible treatment. That’s exactly what Invisalign delivers, without sacrificing on treatment quality and benefits.
- Hybrid Options: In some cases, a combination of options may be what’s best for the patient. An expert orthodontist may recommend other treatments, like expanders or elastics, to ensure the best outcomes possible.
What to Expect When Getting Braces as an Adult
While you may have gotten over your childhood fear of the dentist’s office, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re ready to jump headfirst into adult braces or other orthodontic treatments. It’s perfectly normal to have some questions and even a bit of apprehension about getting braces as an adult.
In your initial appointment, you can expect some diagnostics—visual examinations, x-rays, and other methods to get an idea of where your teeth are now, and where we want them to be. After giving a complete, transparent treatment plan with all available options, you and your orthodontist will select the best choice for your teeth and goals. You can then expect another appointment to install the adult braces and/or other appliances and receive a schedule of follow-up appointments to ensure the treatment proceeds smoothly.
Adult Braces Cost in Atlanta
The cost for adult braces depends on various factors. First, and possibly most important, is the complexity of the issues the adult braces are attempting to correct. As the complexity increases, so too does the need for additional appliances or a longer treatment period. Additional appliances and a longer treatment period can also determine what the final cost may come to.
How Long Does Treatment Take After Age 50?
Before beginning any orthodontic treatment, your orthodontist will want to ensure your teeth are able to move safely. That means treating any other issues with the teeth, like gingivitis or gum decay. As these are more likely in adult patients than children, this can add length to the overall treatment.
However, if we measure treatment from the length of appliance installation to removal, the treatment length for adult braces may not be very long. Depending on the patient, they may only need to wear braces for a few months to just under a year.
Lifestyle & Emotional Benefits of Adult Braces
Getting the orthodontic treatment you need can be life-altering. Our patients routinely start off follow-up appointments with stories of how many compliments they’re receiving on their smile now that their braces are off.
But we can’t take all the credit for the increase in compliments our patients receive. The truth is our work is only half the story. Our orthodontic treatment bolsters our patients’ confidence. They’re lighting up rooms because they feel like they can now, in a way they’ve never felt before.
Common Reasons Seniors Need Orthodontic Care
Our bodies naturally change as we age, and that includes our teeth. They can shift and move as we grow older, like how wisdom teeth don’t emerge until later in our lives. Those natural changes, left to their own devices, may become pressing issues later in life.
- Overcrowding: When the jaw is too small or the teeth are too large, teeth can become overcrowded. When teeth are overcrowded, it becomes harder to properly clean and maintain them.
- Overbite: An overbite, or deep bite, is marked by the top front teeth completely covering the lower front teeth. Some people may even bite their gums when they close their mouths.
- Underbite: An underbite is the inverse of an overbite, with the lower teeth covering the upper teeth almost completely.
- Open bite: When someone has an open bite, some of their teeth may touch together, but others do not. For example, the rear teeth may touch, but the front teeth may remain apart.
- Jaw pain: Jaw pain is another reason adults may seek orthodontic treatment. Jaw pain may be caused by any of the malocclusions mentioned above and deserves dedicated care.
Why Choose Atlanta Orthodontics for Adult Braces
Seeking out orthodontic care as an adult generates a deluge of questions—cost, length of treatment, quality of care—who can you trust to deliver on your expectations? Why not choose Atlanta Orthodontic Specialists, a leader in the metro-Atlanta area for over 40 years? We’ve exceeded patient expectations time and again because we are deeply committed to utilizing cutting-edge technology and clear, consistent patient communication. Patients who choose Atlanta Orthodontic Specialists enjoy their orthodontic journey as much as the destination.