Am I too old to straighten my teeth?

Have you always wondered if you could straighten your teeth but realized that your age is stopping you from getting your teeth straightened? You may also have been recommended by your dentist to correct your bite but your answer has always been, “I am too old for that.” Not necessarily. Age is not a contraindication for orthodontic treatment. Bad bite can be corrected at any age. There is no such thing as “too old” for braces. The American Association of Orthodontists notes that one in five orthodontic patients is older than age 18.
If you have been living with bad bite your entire life, you know that crooked teeth, crowded smiles, or poorly aligned bites raise more than cosmetic concerns. Crowded or overlapping teeth can be difficult to clean, making tooth decay and gum disease more likely. Teeth that don’t come together properly when you close your jaws can cause chewing and swallowing problems. Poor tooth alignment can also make it difficult to pronounce certain sounds and can put excessive stress on the chewing muscles, causing facial pain. Although childhood is the ideal time to make changes in the positioning of the teeth, more adults are opting for orthodontic treatment and coming away with excellent results.
You will find that a lot has changed since you were a teenager in terms of the orthodontic appliances themselves. Clear braces can be used that are far less noticeable than the metal braces. Invisalign or invisible clear aligners are also appropriate in many cases. These newer appliances have contributed to an increase in adults seeking treatment, with most reporting that they are very happy with the results. So remember that when it comes to straightening teeth, there is no age cutoff.
A great-looking smile is a surefire way to boost self-confidence and studies have demonstrated that orthodontic treatment can even enhance an adult's career opportunities and social life. So there are many reasons to consider orthodontic treatment at any age. If a better smile is something you really want, schedule a complimentary consultation with us to discuss your treatment options. As the saying goes, you're only as old as you feel.