Adult Orthodontics

With development of orthodontics and increased awareness, more and more adults are seeking orthodontic treatment. There are now a wide range of esthetic and comfortable options available for adults to align teeth, such as removable transparent aligners and ceramic braces. There is no age limit to orthodontic treatment, as long as the adult has good physical and oral dental health.

Orthodontic treatment can be carried out as an adjunct to other dental work. For example, orthodontics can be done first to align teeth or create ideal spaces prior to restorative work to replace missing teeth eg. bridge, denture or implants. With special considerations, teeth with prior root canal treatment, crowns and bridges can also be moved by orthodontic forces. Periodontal (Gum) disease may reduce the underlying bone support causing teeth to become protruded and spaced out with time. Orthodontic treatment can be done after the gum disease is resolved to align the teeth and close the spaces, creating a more esthetic smile.

It is important to understand that the treatment objectives, plan and experiences for an adult patient will be different from a child. This is due to lack of growth in adults, periodontal status, marginal bone loss and denser alveolar bone. The differences in adult physiology will be taken into consideration in developing an appropriate treatment plan.