IS THERE AN AGE LIMIT FOR BRACES?
In todays world, with the constant progress in medical technologies, it is easier to provide a more comfortable orthodontic treatment experience for adult patients. The percentage of adult patients among the total patient group is significantly higher compared to 20 years ago. Among many others, economical, social or medical, one main reason for this increase is the new methods that we offer to patients and unfortunately, the need for a treatment repeat that wa performed when patient was at a young age.
There is no age limit to straighten your teeth and improve your smile. This does not mean that the treatment applied to a 12 year old will also apply to an adult. Main difference between an adult and a child is the growth potential. In some cases orthodontist needs to use this growth potential to manipulate the skeletal growth. In cases where the jaws are narrow, she/he uses this potential to expand the jaw width. If the bottom jaw growth is not catching with the top one, she/he uses this potential to influence the growth of the bottom jaw. If there is a deep bite or open bite, which front teeth do not meet when patient is biting, again growth potential is needed to influence skeletal growth.
In an adult patient, if there is a significant discrepancy between the bottom and top jaw in any planes of the space, orthodontics alone may not be sufficient. In this is the case, a combination of orthodontics and surgery would be necessary. Luckily for most of the patients this is not the case.
For a wide range of cases with skeletal discrepancy, a camouflage treatment is applied.
Never think that ‘I am too old for braces’; once a patient completes skeletal growth, the treatment for a 20 year old and for a 60 year old person is not different if the teeth and surrounding structures are healthy.
You are never late for getting a natural beautiful smile.