It’s Never Too Late For A Great Smile
Orthodontics is not just for children and teens. In fact, 1 in every 5 patients in orthodontic treatment is an adult. No one is too old for orthodontic treatment!
Adults seek orthodontic treatment for many of the same reasons as children. Some adults had orthodontic problems as children but were unable to correct them until now. Others may have excessive tooth wear or periodontal (gum) problems that can be improved with a combination of orthodontics and restorative care from their dentist. Some who had treatment as children may need further treatment as adults due to relapse or limitations in the initial treatment.
Benefits Of Treatment
Adults can benefit from orthodontic treatment in many ways. These include:
- Align the teeth to create a more aesthetic and beautiful smile
- Improve the ability to brush and floss, especially for crowded or overlapping front teeth
- Create a better or more comfortable bite and improve the ability to chew
- Address missing teeth
- Close spaces between the teeth
- Reduce excessive wear on the teeth due to grinding or poor bite
- Correct relapse after previous orthodontic treatment due to lack of long-term retainer wear
- Jaw surgery to correct a discrepancy between the upper and lower jaws.
Greensboro Adult Braces
Soreness/Discomfort With Treatment
Orthodontic treatment is no more uncomfortable for adults than for children. Adults undergoing orthodontic treatment report the same level of comfort as children (although we find that adults are more willing to tell us about the soreness).
Typically, the teeth are most uncomfortable 12-24 hours after an orthodontic adjustment and will disappear within 3 to 5 days. Modern appliances are smaller and more comfortable to wear. Modern techniques and technologies, such as Acceledent combined with the new titanium technology, put less pressure on the teeth to cause discomfort while moving the teeth more rapidly and efficiently. It also decreases the time required between adjustments to every 8-10 weeks. Treatment time, on average, is completed in 15-18 months.
Cost Of Braces
The fee for adult orthodontic treatment is determined the same way as child or adolescent treatment. It is based on the severity of the problem, the complexity of the correction, the appliances used, and the length of time to correct. We will review the cost of treatment in detail at your initial consultation.
Our orthodontists have treated individuals in their 60’s, 70’s, and even their 80’s! Rest assured, it is never too late to gain the smile you have always wanted.