Orthodontics for adults

 Am I too old for orthodontics?

Age is not a deciding factor for orthdontic treatment. At our orthodontic clinic in Thailand, our orthdontists actually see a large percentage of adults. Regardless of your age, the way that orthodontic appliances and forces work for you or a younger individual is the same.

According to according to the American Association of Orthodontists, about 1 in 5 patients is an adult, many of whom are treated into their 60s, 70s and beyond. Adults do seek orthodontic treatment again even if they had braces in their youth.

Having a good bite and properly aligned teeth enables better and easier teeth cleaning as well as reduces improper forces placed on existing teeth that can cause wear, bite and chewing issues. Orthodontics improves the chances of keeping and maintaining your teeth over the long-term.

Treatment braces for adult

The main difference on orthodontics for adults compared to children or teens is that adults no longer grows. This means that adult orthodontics may take slightly longer than children. The density of the bone for adults is harder and less flexible.

There are also other factors that impact the orthodontic treatment resuts for adults such as taking of medications, smoking, clenching or grinding teeth. Adults may have a gum disease or other oral problems that may require other dental specialists such as oral surgeons, periodontists and endodontists to treat before the start of orthodontics, during or after treatment.

Types of orthodontics for adults

As an adult, many individuals may not want people to know that they have undergoing treatment. Clear braces, lingual braces and clear aligners are therefore popular choices for adult orthodontics. These types of braces allows you to go to work, travel and continue your busy schedules without people noticing you have braces on. However, notwithstanding, many adults still do and can opt for conventional metal braces that is effective in treatment the majority o case indications.

Another alternative aside from braces that adults sometimes opt for to straigthen teeth is porcelain veneers. Dental veneers are commonly used for dental makeover or in cosmetic dentistry to enhance or cover up teeth irregularities. Instead of seeking treatment that can last from months to years, veneers can transform smiles in days. They are however not suited for all cases. Braces are somes first done as a precusor before porcelain veneers are done to acheive the perfect desired smile.

For some adults, having orthodontic braces alone may not fully correct their orthodontic problem. To achieve the required functional and healthy occlusion, Surgical orthodontics using orthognathic surgery may need to done to correct skeletal problems. Because adult bone and jaw are no longer growing, the only method to change the size or shape of an adult jaw bones is through surgery and re-positioning. Orthodontic braces is usually before and after jaw surgery so ensure that the upper and lower teeth meet together properly.

Your orthodontic visit

If you are allergic to any metals or are taking any current medications, please do always highlight this to your dentist during your first visit. Your orthodontist visit does not differ much from a normal general dentist visit:

1. Your orthodontist will invite you to the treatment room to listen to your concerns and answer your questions.
2. You may then be requested for digital panoramic and celphlometric xrays to be taken. If you have x-rays taken within 6 months, you are able to bring them along. X-rays allows your orthodontist to look at your jaw and bite occlusion accurately to detect orthodontic problems.
3. Your orthodontist then discusses on the need for any treatment and your treatment options.

Some questions commonly addressed during your an orthodontic visit

1. Is there an orthodontic problem?
2. What are your treatment options for your specific case?
3. Do you need any other preliminary treatment before having braces?
4. How long is the estimated treatment for your recommended and chosen option?
5. How much your treatment option costs?

There are no needles involved if getting braces. Your first consultation visit may last for 30 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of questions you have and what type of braces you choose. Your monthly adjustment visits may take just 15 to 30 minutes.

Orthodontists for adult braces

At BIDH orthodontic dental center, all our orthodontic cases are treated only by a selected team of top orthodontic specialists in Thailand. Many of our orthdoontists are overseas board certified from Australia, USA or Japan.

Our team of orthodontists are specially certified to diagnoses, prevent and correct malpositioned teeth teeth and jaws. They undergo additional years at their universities to properly and safely perform teeth movement or correct dentofacial orthopedics.

Dental consultations with our dentist at BIDH orthodontic dental clinic are complimentary and without obligation to start treatment. You will however need to make an advance appointment to pre-book our orthodontist timings.