If you’ve been wanting straighter teeth, but wondering ‘how old is too old for braces?’ we’re here to tell you there is no age limit for orthodontic treatment.
As long as your teeth and gums are healthy, you can have braces at any age whether that’s Invisalign, clear braces, or traditional metal braces. The most important thing is achieving a smile you feel confident about, as this can have an impact on your self-esteem regardless of your age.
Furthermore, not only can teeth that are crooked, overcrowded, or misaligned affect your self-confidence, but they can also lead to oral health problems as food and plaque can become trapped between the teeth. As brushing is made more difficult, this can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease over time.
It’s important to remember that your smile is with you for life so you need to feel happy and confident. At LUME Dental, patient satisfaction is always our priority. That’s why we offer LUME clear aligners which allow us to move teeth effectively and discreetly without anyone even guessing that you’re wearing aligners. We’ve helped people of all ages achieve a smile that they’re proud of showing off!
In this guide, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about clear aligner treatment for adults and why you’re never too old to straighten your teeth.
How Old Is Too Old for Braces?
It’s a common misconception that braces are only suitable for children and teenagers rather than adults. Whilst early orthodontic treatment can be beneficial (as your teeth and jaws are still developing) there’s no definitive upper age limit for getting clear aligners.
At LUME Dental, we see many older adult patients at our dental clinic in Wilmslow as your smile is a permanent part of your identity. This doesn’t change just because you get older and it’s never too late to sort teeth that are misaligned.
As long as your teeth and gums are healthy, you can start your teeth straightening journey at almost any age. Also advancements in modern dentistry have meant that no one even needs to know you’re wearing braces if this is something you’re self-conscious about. For example, clear aligners such as Invisalign are highly subtle and convenient as they don’t interfere with your daily life. Simply pop them out whilst eating, drinking, and brushing so you can still take care of your natural teeth underneath.
Also as they’re virtually invisible, you can go about your day feeling confident and socialising without anyone knowing you’re having orthodontic treatment.
I honestly could not be more pleased. I have received the most professional care from Lume Dental from everyone who works there but Dr Lalia is a genius at what he does. I fell and damaged my front teeth and it really affected my confidence but he has given me my smile back. I cannot recommend this clinic enough thank you.
Benefits of Adult Orthodontics
There are various benefits of having braces as an older adult as this can give you a renewed sense of confidence and self-esteem.
Furthermore with clear, removable options, you can enjoy braces that are:
- Virtually invisible – with options such as LUME aligners and clear ceramic braces, there are a range of discreet options which gradually move your teeth while you continue your usual day-to-day.
- Easy to remove for eating, drinking, flossing, and brushing – there’s no need to worry about brushing around fixed brackets and wires,as clear aligners allow you to move teeth whilst keeping teeth and gums clean and healthy.
- Smooth and comfortable – traditional metal braces can feel bulky as you can feel the metal brackets against your gums and tongue, however clear aligners are smooth as they fit over your natural teeth.
- Suitable for different alignment issues – clear aligners can work for different orthodontic needs from helping to correct and overbite to bringing teeth with gaps closer together.
- Helping improve your oral health – instead of trying to brush in between crooked or misshapen teeth which will inevitably have areas that you can’t reach, straight teeth allow for a more complete and thorough clean.
- Convenient to fit around work and social life – as clear aligners are discreet and removable, they support your daily routine rather than disrupting it.
Can Anyone Have Clear Aligners?
Whilst clear aligners are highly effective and suitable for most people including older adults, healthy gums and teeth are a must before undergoing treatment. It’s important your teeth, gums, and supporting bone are strong enough for braces, as issues such as severe gum disease or advanced tooth decay may need to be treated before your teeth can be safely moved.
This will all be discussed during your consultation at our clinic in Wilmslow and included in your treatment plan, helping you understand what to expect.
Once these issues are resolved, clear aligners are an effective way to close gaps, move crowded teeth apart, straighten crooked teeth, and fix a range of bite alignment problems (crossbites, overbites, and underbites).
How Do Clear Aligners Work?
Clear aligners work by applying gentle, consistent pressure to your teeth to slowly move them into the right position. As treatment progresses, you’ll move onto a new set of aligners, with each set designed to gradually guide your teeth closer to their new position.
Treatment is usually comfortable, although you might experience mild soreness or pressure when you first switch to a new set of aligners. This is normal as your teeth begin adjusting and should ease within a few days. Over-the-counter pain relief can help manage any discomfort.
As clear aligners are made from translucent plastic, barely anyone will notice you’re even wearing them. This makes them a discreet and convenient alternative to traditional metal braces with fixed brackets and wires.
How Long Will Adult Orthodontics Take?
Every treatment journey is specific to your needs and the complexity of your case, so the expected duration will vary.
For example, if your teeth are severely misaligned or overcrowded, treatment may take longer as we might be correcting several issues at once, such as straightening crooked teeth, creating space, closing gaps, and improving your bite.
However, if you only have one or two teeth that need a small amount of movement, treatment can be much quicker as fewer adjustments are required to achieve the right result.
Usually minor adjustments can be completed in around 6 months, while moderate cases will often take between 12 and 24 months. This will all be discussed during your consultation and will form part of your treatment plan.
How Long Must Clear Aligners Be Worn?
To be effective, clear aligners must be worn for 22 hours a day as this gives them time to move teeth into the right place. Whilst they can be removed for eating, drinking, and brushing, they’re comfortable for you to sleep in.
Every couple of weeks you will be given a new set of aligners by your dentist which are a slightly different shape to your last set, helping to push teeth gradually into place. This means it’s important to wear your aligners as instructed by your dentist, and in the right order, to make sure you’re moving teeth into the right positions.
Also whilst clear aligner systems such as Invisalign are strong, they are not indestructible. Make sure you keep your retainer safely stored away when it’s removed to avoid causing any damage to it or losing it. If you do lose your aligner for any reason, call us so we can sort a replacement for you.
FAQs
Does adult orthodontics take longer?
Not necessarily – it depends on individual needs and the complexity of your case. If teeth need bringing together and a gap closing, this can affect the duration of treatment but this will be explained by your dentist. Also as adults are compliant with wearing their retainers, this helps treatment stay on track.
What is the best orthodontic treatment method for older adults?
There are various orthodontic options for older adults from clear aligners, to clear ceramic braces, to traditional metal braces. However the discreet and convenient nature of clear aligners such as those offered at LUME are often a desirable choice for older adults, as they’re virtually invisible and easily removed.
Can I have braces at 60?
Yes you can have braces at 60. The same principles apply at any age – as long as your teeth, gums, and jaw are healthy, you can have braces to sort alignment issues and improve your confidence.
How Old Is Too Old for Braces? Why It’s Not Too Late for Adult Orthodontics
You’re never too old for braces, despite what you might have initially thought. Adult orthodontic treatment is increasingly popular, helping people of all ages feel more confident in their smiles.
Your smile plays a big part in how you look and feel, particularly as it’s one of the first things
people notice when interacting with you. If you’ve struggled with crooked teeth or overcrowding for most of your life, this can leave you feeling self-conscious about your appearance.
At LUME Dental, we’ve worked with older patients across a range of ages to help them feel more confident in their own smile. Our signature LUME aligners are a great way of achieving this, by subtly yet effectively moving teeth into the right place without anyone really noticing – until they see the results.
To get started on your treatment journey, book your consultation with our friendly team below.
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