It’s never too late to go back to school, make a big career change, perfect a hobby you’ve been practicing for years or achieve the smile you’ve been dreaming about your whole life. Many adults will write off orthodontic work because they claim they’re too old for braces or dental aligners.
Being too old for teeth-straightening treatment is a myth. It is never too late to fix your teeth and boost your confidence. In fact, more adults are seeking orthodontic work than ever before because of the amazing technology of Invisalign. It’s barely noticeable at all and is very intriguing to those who desperately want a better smile but feel silly having a brace face as an adult.
Orthodontic treatment for adults isn’t all that different than it is for children and teens. However, teeth straightening may take a bit longer in adults due to the maturity and density of their bones. Adults are also more likely to have habits that may affect the outcome of their treatment, such as smoking, clenching, teeth grinding, or tongue thrust. Even regularly taking certain medications can have an impact on treatment.
Just like teens, adults usually make great candidates for braces or clear aligners. Most adults will choose clear aligners over braces because they are more discreet, and in many ways, more convenient. Clear aligners work to reposition your teeth until they are straight, gifting you with a show-stopping smile. It’s quite a wonderful experience for us to see the happy glow on our patients’ faces when they are done with their treatment and look in the mirror to enjoy the results. There’s nothing like it.
The treatment time depends on each individual case, but on average, treatments last around 22 months. The time span will depend on how crooked your teeth are as well as other corrections being made such as correcting an overbite, underbite, crossbite, overcrowding or gapped teeth. These corrections can all be made with Invisalign.
During the course of your treatment, you’ll meet with your orthodontist about every six to eight weeks. These visits are important as your orthodontist will track your progress and make sure you are on track to achieving the pearly whites of your dreams.
It’s universal: everyone prefers straight teeth over crooked teeth. Even as an adult, straight teeth can boost your confidence in ways you never knew possible. Taking the leap to finally straighten your teeth will make you feel better about yourself and your appearance. You’ll be smiling at yourself in the mirror every chance you get, and you’ll also be more inclined to smile at others.
In addition to cosmetic reasons, straightening your teeth may help resolve health issues caused by misalignment of the teeth or worn-down dental crowns/fillings. These conditions can lead to severe jaw pain and can affect the way your mouth opens. Straightening your teeth could be your ticket out of chronic jaw pain.
Did you know that smiling actually has health benefits? Smiling is associated with longer life, better health, lower stress levels, a boosted immune system and lower blood pressure. Plus, a good smile is contagious. One might argue that improving your smile will help the health of others, as your contagious smile will lead them to smile and reap the wonderful health benefits.
Next time you smile at someone, and they smile back, say “you’re welcome” in your mind. Because, after all, you just helped them get one step closer to a boosted immune system. Studies have shown that smiling can also reduce pain. Smiling releases endorphins and serotonin, also known as the “happy” chemicals. Endorphins and serotonin relax your body and help to reduce feelings of physical pain. Try to smile more often and see what a difference it makes in the way you feel physically, mentally and emotionally.
Don’t let your age stop you from achieving the smile you’ve always dreamed of. It’s never too late. The world is your oyster. You’re never too old to achieve your dreams and make decisions that make you happy. A beautiful smile will make you happy — there’s no question about that. Apply for that dream job you’ve been intimidated by. Take a shot at getting into that school that seems like a long shot. Sign up for that marathon.
But first, talk to your orthodontist about Invisalign to straighten your teeth, improve your smile and boost your confidence! A beautiful smile might just give you the confidence boost you need to achieve all the other dreams you’ve been hesitant to chase after. A great smile might be the stepping stone to a better future.
