Adult Orthodontics

Orthodontics is not just for children and teens. In fact, 1 in every 5 patients in orthodontic treatment is an adult in the United States today. 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, who had treatment as children, may need further treatment as adults due to relapse or limitations in the initial treatment.

Dischinger & Sessions Orthodontic Team is ready for the challenge of helping you reach your perfect smile goal. Teeth play an important role in one’s life, both professionally and personally. Everyone desires to have a perfect smile. Oral problems may arise at different times of life that require this desire to take some work. 

We have been asked whether there is an age limit for orthodontic treatment? There is no defined age limit for getting orthodontic treatment. Orthodontist recommend starting the process at an early age, such as between the ages of 10 – 14. The reason for this is that the head and mouth of adolescents are still growing and teeth are more conducive to straightening which shortens the orthodontic treatment duration and costs. There are, however, many people who get orthodontic treatment later in life.

The amount of time required for wearing braces depends on various factors such as severity of dental issues, the patients age, and type of treatment. The minimum time to wear braces is 18 months but can go up to 3 years. The severity of dental issue refers to the type of problem the patient is facing. These can include crooked teeth, crowded teeth or jaw misalignments. Age is one of the most crucial factors which decides the duration of braces. In other words, young patients (teens and children) tend to get results faster than adults because their jaws are still growing, making the teeth easier to manipulate.  

Benefits of Treatment

Adults can benefit from orthodontic treatment in many ways.

These include:

• Align the teeth to create a more esthetic and beautiful smile
• Correct relapse after previous orthodontic treatment due to lack of long term retainer wear
• Improve the ability to brush and floss, especially for crowded or overlapping lower front teeth
• Create a better or more comfortable bite and ability to chew.
• Address missing teeth
• Close spaces between the teeth
• Reduce excessive wear on the teeth due to grinding or poor bite
• Jaw surgery to correct discrepancy between the upper and lower jaws