Am I Too Old for Invisalign?

Invisalign Treatment as an Adult

Straight, white teeth often come to mind when thinking of a picture-perfect smile, but sometimes our smiles don’t quite match how we’d like them to appear. Most people don’t have naturally straight teeth, or their teeth have gradually changed alignment since they had braces as a child or teen.

If you find yourself wishing your teeth were better aligned but your age is stopping you from seeking treatment, reconsider your idea of being “too old.” Invisalign could be the perfect solution!

You’re never too old for orthodontic treatment.

Braces are often seen as something for children and teens. It’s true that children and young teens are the most common patients receiving orthodontic care, but this isn’t because adults aren’t candidates. In fact, adults of all ages respond very well to orthodontic care, and there is a steadily growing number of adults seeking this type of dental care.

To put it simply, age is rarely a factor when a dentist or orthodontist evaluates an adult for orthodontic treatment. Instead, dentists look at factors like overall oral health, preexisting conditions (e.g., gum disease), and malocclusion severity .

It’s never too late to boost your confidence, improve your oral health, and achieve your dream smile. Invisalign is a wonderful way for adults to receive orthodontic treatment in a subtle but effective manner.

Invisalign is a popular adult orthodontic solution.

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment option available for all ages, but it remains in particularly high demand for adults. Although seeking orthodontic care and receiving traditional braces is something to be proud of, many adults prefer to not have metal braces. This is especially true for business professionals who desire to keep their appearance relatively unchanged.

Invisalign is the best-known clear aligner system on the market. It can treat mild to moderate malocclusion, and often, patients will be done with treatment quicker than they would be with traditional braces. Best of all, it is virtually invisible, and you can remove the aligners before eating, brushing, or whitening.

Advantages of Invisalign Treatment for Adults

Compared to traditional forms of orthodontic treatment, Invisalign offers a number of different benefits. If you’re on the fence about Invisalign, consider these six advantages.

1. You won’t need to change your dental care routine.

Invisalign aligners are removed before caring for your smile. You can brush and floss as you normally would. You can also whiten your smile and easily receive any needed restorative care.

2. You can eat all the foods you love.

Traditional braces limit what you can eat, but Invisalign doesn’t change a thing. Since you need to remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything but water, you’ll be able to continue to eat all the foods you love. This also means you can enjoy lunches with friends and romantic dinner dates with your significant other without worrying about dietary restrictions.

3. Your appearance won’t change.

Invisalign aligners aren’t invisible, but they are so subtle that no one around you will notice that you’re wearing them unless you happen to clue them in on your secret. If you feel self-conscious about orthodontic treatment, clear aligners are a great way to confidently move forward on your journey toward a straight smile.

4. You’ll have a highly accurate estimate of total treatment time.

Invisalign treatment time is highly variable but typically takes 12 to 18 months to complete. For minor orthodontic adjustments, your treatment time could be as short as six months. Since each treatment plan is digitally designed to include a series of custom aligners, you’ll have a very accurate estimate of when your treatment will be complete.

5. You won’t be swamped with dental appointments.

Traditional braces require frequent appointments for tightening wires and making other adjustments. You may also need to have more frequent cleaning appointments if you accumulate plaque quickly. With Invisalign, you’ll have less frequent visits, and when you do visit, your appointment will be fairly short. Keeping plaque at bay is also much easier, and most Invisalign wearers only need to keep up with their usual six-month schedule for cleanings.

6. Your oral health will be easier to maintain after treatment.

Straight teeth are not only attractive but also easy to maintain. This is because crooked or crowded teeth tend to trap plaque, which increases your risks of tooth decay and gum disease. Invisalign helps you achieve a straighter, healthier smile.

Are you interested in learning more about Invisalign?

If you still have questions or are curious if you’re a candidate for Invisalign treatment, First Dental Associates is ready and waiting to help! You can chat with someone from our team and schedule an evaluation by calling our Reading, Massachusetts, office or booking a visit online.