Orthodontics for All Ages – Not Just for Kids Your dentist is able to offer orthodontics for all ages. Your dentist loves treating kids and creating beautifully straight smiles for them. An increasing number of dentist patients are adults who may have never had the opportunity for orthodontics when they were kids. Patients who have seen their teeth move as a result of an orthodontic relapse, or as part of getting older. Whether you’re thinking about orthodontics for your child or for yourself, your dentist can help you. They have the very latest solutions and most advanced orthodontic appliances for beautiful and healthy smiles. Orthodontics for Children Traditionally orthodontics has been used to help children. Nowadays it’s possible to apply advanced techniques even earlier than before. Your dentist’s dental practice is able to offer early interceptive orthodontic treatment for children. This includes the use of functional orthodontic appliances from as early as age 6 or seven. This might seem amazingly young but it can be a highly effective approach, maximizing treatment potential. It takes full advantage of your child’s growth and development. The use of functional orthodontic appliances can help guide the growth of your child’s jaws. This ensures there is sufficient room for their adult teeth to erupt normally so it’s far less likely that we would need to remove permanent teeth. Getting an Early Orthodontic Evaluation If your child is already a patient, your dentist will recommend they have an early orthodontic evaluation by age 6 or seven. This is if your dentist thinks it’s necessary. Treatment could be beneficial if your child has oral habits such as thumb or finger sucking which have proved difficult to break. Thumb or finger sucking beyond the ages of three or four can result in the upper jaw becoming elongated and narrow. This increases the risk that the upper front teeth will protrude and the risk of overcrowded and misaligned teeth. Functional orthodontic appliances are removable. They can help to widen a narrow upper arch, creating sufficient room for the adult teeth to come through without being overcrowded or misaligned. There are lots of different appliances that can be used at this age, depending on the problems requiring correction. The really nice thing about getting treatment at such an early age is that it could reduce or even eliminate the need for your child to wear braces at a later date. Invisible Braces for Self-Conscious Teenagers
Having a mouth full of metal as a teenager can seem very unappealing, particularly for teens who are self-conscious or a bit shy. Luckily, there are modern alternatives that include nearly invisible fixed braces using clear brackets and very fine wires, as well as Invisalign Teen. It uses a series of clear removable BPA-free plastic aligners. Invisalign Teen is very similar to the adult version of Invisalign, using the same clear aligners, with each set being worn for approximately two weeks. Then after which, it will be exchanged for the next set to continue tooth movements. However, Invisalign Teen has blue colored wear indicators located towards the back of the aligners. The color gradually fades, showing the aligners have been worn as directed and when it’s time to begin wearing the next set. Invisalign Teen can also accommodate adult back teeth yet to erupt. Invisalign is great for correcting many common orthodontic problems. It might not be the best solution if your teenager has more complex orthodontic issues. In this case, fixed braces can often provide better results. The use of fixed brackets enables your orthodontist to plan treatment extremely precisely. Thus, achieving a straighter and healthier and more aesthetically pleasing smile then would be possible with removable aligners. If your teenager does require fixed braces then there is no need to worry. Your dentist will use a system called Mystique which has translucent ceramic brackets that are extremely discreet. These are far more appealing than traditional metal brackets and wires and make treatment much more pleasant for teenagers. Adult Orthodontics Your dentist fully understands that adults need orthodontic treatment to be discreet and unobtrusive. This is why your dentist is so pleased to offer Mystique clear braces and Invisalign. Mystique works equally well for adults and teenagers. The brackets will closely match the color of your teeth, blending in so the brace is quite tricky to see. Mystique could be a good solution if your teeth are significantly misaligned. Unlike removable aligners, they will be working continuously to straighten your smile. Invisalign is likely to be a good option for many adults as part of adult orthodontics. It could be particularly beneficial if your teeth only require minor corrections. Invisalign can work very well with busy lifestyles as it is so easy to use. The aligners are taken out for meals and for brushing and flossing so maintaining good dental health is simple. Your Orthodontic Treatment Is Tailored to Meet Your Needs This is just a quick overview of some of the orthodontic treatments your dentist is able to offer you as there are many other options available. Your exact choice will depend on the problems
requiring correction and your lifestyle. Your dentist will always recommend the treatment they know will provide optimal results and even if this is a fixed brace then there is no need to worry. Treatment is really quite short compared with the long-term benefits that can be achieved. Even though fixed braces may require a bit more time to look after, there are lots of tools to make cleaning around brackets and wires very simple. Cleaning them is straightforward and your dentist will always provide lots of practical advice and a demonstration on how to clean braces. Don’t Forget Retainers Teenagers and adults who have undergone orthodontic treatment to reposition their teeth will need to wear retainers. This is essential to make sure teeth do not try to return to their original positions. This renders all the treatment time and effort complete waste of time. There is no need to be concerned about this. Retainers are comfortable and easy to wear and can often be removable, looking and feeling very similar to Invisalign aligners. Another option is to have a retainer permanently bonded onto the inside surfaces of your teeth. This looks a little like a thin wire and prevents the teeth from moving. Your dentist can discuss which retainer will be best for you when you visit our dental office. You can have a beautifully straight smile at any age so why wait any longer? Soon you could be benefiting from healthier, straighter and more attractive teeth, sometimes more quickly than you imagine.