Can adults still have braces?
Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile. Healthy teeth can be moved at almost any age. It is quite common to believe that braces are only suitable for children and adolescents. People tend to think “It’s too late for me anyway”, but they are mistaken. Orthodontic problems can be corrected as easily and as well for adults as for children. Orthodontic forces move the teeth in the same way for both a 75-year-old adult and a 12-year-old child. One of every five patients in orthodontic treatment is over 21. It is estimated that nearly 1,000,000 adults in the UK are receiving treatment from an orthodontist.
Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile. Healthy teeth can be moved at almost any age. Many orthodontic problems can be corrected as easily and as well for adults as children. Orthodontic forces move the teeth in the same way for both a 75-year-old adult and a 12-year-old child. One of every five patients in orthodontic treatment is over 21. It is estimated that nearly 1,000,000 adults in the United States and Canada are receiving treatment from an orthodontist. Complicating factors, such as lack of jaw growth, may create special treatment planning needs for the adult. Jaw surgery is more often required for adult orthodontic patients because their jaws are not growing. Adults may also have some breakdown of periodontal tissues that support the teeth and may require periodontal treatment before, during and/or after orthodontic treatment. Bone loss can also limit the amount and direction of tooth movement that
