What is the difference between adult and teenage orthodontic treatment?
One difference between adult and teenage orthodontic treatment is the treatment takes longer. You heal more slowly as you age. The orthodontist needs to move your teeth more slowly in order to let your mouth heal between appointments. It is also more difficult to enlarge your mouth, so all your teeth fit. When you were growing, your jaw was pliable and the orthodontist could stretch your mouth so there was room for your teeth. Once you stop growing your jaw hardens, making it difficult to stretch. While surgical enlargement of the jaw is an option, most adults deciding to have orthodontic treatment do not have their jaw enlarged. As a result, removal of one or more teeth may be necessary.
