Am I Too Old For Invisalign Treatment?

You can get a healthy, beautiful smile at any age. Are you’re wondering, am I too old for Invisalign? The answer is, absolutely not. Our experienced Sioux Falls orthodontists are able to achieve excellent results in adult patients. To help give you a better idea of the ins and outs of treatment for grown-ups, we’re answering some of the questions we hear most often about adult orthodontics.

A huge benefit of Invisalign is getting a beautiful smile that complements your facial features. Most of us want to look our best so it is an important perk. However, there are other benefits beyond the cosmetic ones:

•  Straight teeth are easier to clean, which reduces your risk for tooth decay and gum disease. Gum disease has been linked with conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and, in women, premature labor. So, in essence, by improving your oral health, you’re also preemptively helping your overall health.
•  Aligning the teeth and jaws can help you chew, breathe and speak properly.
•  By ensuring your teeth are in their proper places and creating ideal spacing, we can reduce your risk of jaw bone loss, which, in turn, helps you avoid pain and tooth loss.
•  Shifting protruding teeth back lessens your chances of dental injury.
•  Straightening your teeth prevents uneven wear and erosion of your enamel.
•  Creating a functional bite by aligning the upper and lower jaw can help with teeth grinding, TMJ pain, headaches and migraines.
•  Invisalign for adults can give you an important boost in self-esteem and confidence that carries over into your career, home life and relationships.

While there are benefits to kicking off orthodontic treatment when you’re still growing, we are able to get amazing results with our adult orthodontics patients too. As long as your teeth and gums are healthy, we can shift them into place at any age. If you’re experiencing oral health issues, we can also work with your general dentist and any other specialists to get you to a place where orthodontic treatment will be effective.

We rely on cutting-edge technology at VanLaecken Orthodontics, including computerized treatment planning, digital impressions, self-ligating braces, Invisalign and Propel®, which gives us more control than ever before over tooth movements and outcomes. This means that even in cases where adults would have been told they weren’t candidates for orthodontic treatment in the past, we can often get outstanding results with just braces or Invisalign alone. For more severe problems, such as a significant underbite, we do offer surgical orthodontics, though that’s always the last resort.

You don’t have to wear metal braces, if you don’t want to! Our clear braces for adults are just  as effective and a lot less noticeable. The most popular of all of our orthodontic options for adults is Invisalign. The clear aligners are removable, comfortable and, most importantly, virtually invisible. We’re Diamond+ Invisalign Providers, so your smile will be in good hands!

The length of orthodontic treatment for adults depends on a number of factors, including how severe your case is. In general, comprehensive treatment lasts one to two years. That being said, thanks to our digital treatment planning and modern orthodontic options for adults, we are able to eliminate a lot of the mechanical inefficiencies for faster treatment times and better, more stable results.

Yes, you can. Invisalign still works for patients with dental implants and crowns. Sometimes, orthodontic treatment is actually recommended for patients with missing teeth as a way to shift the teeth into their ideal places before a dental implant is placed. We can coordinate with your dentist or specialist if that’s the case.

We know some patients are hesitant about adult clear braces because they remember how braces used to be when they were younger. We have good news. Skip the brackets and wires altogether and go with Invisalign. Sioux Falls Invisalign aligners are crafted from smooth plastic that’s custom designed to fit your mouth perfectly, making them supremely comfortable. You should never feel any actual pain during your braces or Invisalign treatment and any sensitivity when you first begin treatment is mild and easily managed.

The cost of Invisalign varies by patient and will depend on how long your treatment lasts and how complex your case is. We’ll give you an accurate number at your initial consultation once we’ve had the chance to examine you and take diagnostic records. We strive to make adult orthodontics affordable for our patients. That’s why we accept most insurance and offer a variety of payment options, including those with no interest and low monthly payments.

If you’d like to learn more about how Sioux Falls Invisalign options can help you get your dream smile, book a complimentary consultation with us. A Sioux Falls Invisalign orthodontist will help you decide on the treatment that works best for your needs and lifestyle.

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Source: “Am I Too Old For Braces Or Invisalign?,” Dr. Tabakman, Houston Orthodontic Specialists