Orthodontic treatment is becoming more and more popular among adults. Because of advancement in orthodontic care, there are orthodontic appliances that are more discrete than ever, allowing adults to achieve perfect smiles without the embarrassment of traditional metal braces. As long as you have healthy teeth, there’s no age limit to straightening them.
There are two differences you should be aware of between receiving braces as an adult versus receiving braces as a child. First, the growth and development of the jaws is complete in adulthood. This means that changing the actual structure of the jaw cannot be accomplished with orthodontic treatment in adulthood like it can in childhood.
Second, adults are much more susceptible to gum disease than children and teens. If your gum tissue isn’t healthy while the teeth are being aligned, the supporting jawbones can weaken and you may even suffer bone loss. This does not mean that you won’t be a candidate for orthodontic treatment; we just want to make sure that your gum disease is under control prior to receiving braces.
No matter what type of orthodontic treatment you’ve undergone, wearing a dental retainer after treatment is crucial. If the teeth aren’t kept in place with a dental retainer, it’s very likely that they’ll shift right back to where they were prior to treatment. Please be sure to follow Dr. Kuhni’s instructions regarding your dental retainer in order to maintain your beautiful new smile.
For more questions about receiving orthodontic treatment in adulthood, or to make an appointment with Dr. Kuhni, please contact Kuhni Orthodontic Studio today. Our office is located in Spanish Fork, Utah. We specialize in clear braces, ceramic braces, clear brackets, Invisalign® and more.
