Some of us must have wondered whether they have “missed the boat” and can’t pursue orthodontic treatment to straighten their teeth. The good news is that it is never too late. Orthodontic treatment can be as successful for adults as it is for adolescents. Don’t let your age keep you from consulting a specialist orthodontist. Whether you’re 8 or well into your pension, it’s the same physiological process that moves teeth. Adults can present as more difficult cases though, for a variety of
reasons:
They may have fillings They may have missing teeth, They may have misshapen or worn teeth, or other dental disease. The orthodontist will make dental health evaluations before you start your treatment and will advise you accordingly. These are conditions well within your orthodontist’s realm of treatment experience. This is just another reason to make sure you are being treated by orthodontist. Your specialist dentist/orthodontist
has years of formal education specifically in orthodontics contrary to a general dental practitioner.
Movement of your teeth in their ideal positions, is achieved by using an “active appliance,” such as braces or aligners, for example, to deliver controlled forces that gently and predictably reposition teeth. There has been an increase amount of types of orthodontic appliances – much of it driven by adults who want straight teeth,
who want to be inconspicuous about their treatment, however not all are effective in obtaining the desired results.
Today’s options include tooth-coloured braces also known as ceramic braces, tiny but more traditional metal braces, gold-coloured braces, braces that go behind the teeth, called lingual braces and braces that aren’t braces at all, but are a series of plastic-like trays, “aligners” that move teeth a little at a time. Not every type of appliance is suitable for correction of every kind of orthodontic problem. Your treating orthodontist by selecting the right appliance to correct your problem will ensure clinical effectiveness. Orthodontists have access to the full range of appliances, and more than anyone else in the dental profession, orthodontists know which appliance is right
for you. Treatment lasts an average of 22 months however this is very dependent on your type of bite and the position of your teeth. During that time, orthodontist visits are scheduled about every six to eight weeks. It’s a comparatively small investment of time that pays big dividends in improved dental health, better function (biting,
chewing), the ability to more easily keep your teeth clean, and higher self-confidence. The usually response by adults after having treatment express their regret of not having planned the treatment beforehand. As in the previous blog, the only doctors who can call themselves “orthodontists” have had specific training in orthodontics further to the basic dental degree after having graduated from a UK dental school. Your choice of specialist orthodontist, should possess more than one degree in dentistry from a renowned UK University and the best
thing is to ask the doctor whether he is a specialist in orthodontics.
