At iSmile Orthodontics we understand the importance of straight teeth. It is no wonder that no matter what age you are, the desire to have a straighter smile is still there. But is there a cut off age to being able to receive orthodontic treatment?

What different types of braces are available to patients?

There are many types of dental braces, but the main ones are traditional metal braces, lingual braces, ceramic braces and Invisalign. The one in which you are given depends on your dentist’s best treatment option for you.

Firstly, traditional metal braces are the least expensive option and are very operational, consequently making them the most common type of braces you use today. This type includes metal-made brackets and wires which is connected to the teeth. The only disadvantage is that some people may feel insecure about the way they look, even though you can put colour bands over the braces to make them look more appealing.

Lingual braces are also made out of metal yet they are connected to the inside of the teeth so that they cannot be seen on the outer appearance of your teeth. Although this may help you with the insecurity of your braces being visible, they often take more time to reach alignment, they may be painful for the tongue and they are more difficult to clean.

Ceramic braces are comparable to metal braces. The only difference is that they are made of ceramic material which will mimic the natural colour of your teeth. Even though they are a more favourable substitute, they are more expensive and can effortlessly stain if you don’t look after them.

Finally, you have Invisalign. Invisalign is a clear retainer that attaches to clear clips attached to the surface of the teeth. They are able to be removed which makes cleaning and eating much easier. However, they are more expensive and do require specific attention to the amount of time they are worn for.

What are braces able to correct or fix?

Firstly, they are able to correct your bite. An overbite occurs when your upper teeth extend over your lower teeth and it covers more than half of your lower teeth surface. An underbite is the opposite as your lower teeth extend over your upper teeth.

Your dentist will check for crowded teeth which are also known as malocclusions. This is the most common problem that people seek to fix with braces.

Braces are able to correct teeth that are far apart. This could be due to having missing teeth or large gaps between your teeth.

Is it possible to be too old to receive braces?

There is no age boundary to getting braces. Although this is true, adults who are considering braces should look at the extra requirements as well as substitutes to wearing metal braces. To have the same success with braces as adults, you will need to have a healthy set of teeth and a sturdy jaw bone. Understand that adults’ teeth have already stopped growing which makes it harder to achieve certain structural changes. Therefore, you may require oral surgery to achieve the same results as an adolescent.  Additionally, there may be more dental issues that need to be fixed before braces can be applied, as you may have been disregarding your oral hygiene as an adult. Adults who have had braces are found to be just as successful with them as younger clients. Adults even tend to practice better oral hygiene as they take advice more seriously.

What kind of orthodontic treatment would be best for older patients?

Whether you are old or young, sitting down with your dentist and discussing what treatment will be best for you, depending on what you want out of the process, is the best course of action. Many adults feel as if there is a stigma about getting braces at an older age and they often prefer to rather handle the matter more privately. Therefore, there are alternative orthodontic treatments that can help make adults feel more comfortable with the idea of braces.

Clear braces are a great alternative for adults who want to lessen the appearance of the brace but still have results that are as fast as metal braces. Another popular alternative for adults is Invalisign which is made of clear plastic rather than wires and rubber bands.

If you are curious as to whether or not you can receive orthodontic treatment, contact us iSmile Orthodontics.