It's never too late to get the smile of your dreams! Even though most people picture teenagers with ceramic or metal braces, the truth is that you're never too old to start improving the appearance and function of your smile. Our Grand Rapids orthodontists have helped countless patients navigate the process of to much success.
Here's what you should know about and be aware of when it comes to adult orthodontic treatment.
Motivation for Adult Patients Is High
Children often don't appreciate the time and money that goes into orthodontic treatment. It's also hard for them to realize that the temporary discomfort of wearing braces will be worth it in the end and they’ll be able to enjoy the future benefits of having a healthy, attractive smile.
Adults, on the other hand, don't tend to have this problem. Adults have enough life experience to understand the benefits of orthodontic treatment and are overall more motivated because they're willingly paying for their own care. For example, if you have crooked teeth, you may already know how difficult it is to adequately brush and floss. Bite issues due to crowded teeth may also be a pain point. As a result, you understand how orthodontics can improve both the look and function of your smile.
With everything said, come to our team because they want straighter, healthier teeth. Not because their parents forced them.
You May Face Little to No Insurance Coverage
Unfortunately, many insurance policies don't cover orthodontics past age 18. For this reason, it may be difficult for you to finance orthodontic treatment as an adult. All hope is not lost, however.
Some options you may want to explore include:
- Payment plans
- Flexible spending accounts
- Personal loans or credit cards
- Dental insurance policy that covers adult orthodontics
During your consultation, our orthodontists will explain the estimated cost of your treatment and can go over possible avenues to try in terms of making it more affordable for your budget. We can also help you determine the cost of traditional braces versus Invisalign® clear aligners.
You May Need More Intensive Treatment
As an adult, your jaw is no longer growing and the bone is denser. As such, it becomes slightly more difficult when trying to move crooked or misaligned teeth into the proper position. Achieving alignment is still very much possible, it just may be slower. Our orthodontists can go over all timelines with you so you’re kept aware of the commitment.
In contrast, we may be able to expand a child’s palate or correct an overbite while their jaw is still growing. Because an adult doesn’t have these same options, it’s not uncommon for some to need tooth extractions or even corrective jaw surgery. Every patient is different, however.
Your Adult Teeth May be Compromised
Adults are more likely to have missing teeth, dental crowns, and fillings. Likewise, they may also have teeth in their smile that are vulnerable to cracking or chipping. Our orthodontist will need to give these teeth special consideration when planning treatment in collaboration with your general dentist.
You May Be a Candidate for Invisalign
As the name suggests, involves nearly invisible aligner sets that are worn over top and bottom teeth used to move them little by little. Invisalign is removable for eating, drinking anything other than water, and oral hygiene, which is why patients need motivation and discipline during treatment.
Related Post→Pros and Cons of Invisalign® Braces
Children are often not candidates for clear aligners. This is because they lack the self-discipline to wear the aligners 20-22 hours a day.
Many of our adult patients prefer Invisalign because the aligners are discreet. If you aren’t a candidate for Invisalign, be sure to ask about other types of braces for adults like ceramic braces.
Schedule a Free Orthodontic Consultation
Are you ready to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced orthodontists in Grand Rapids, MI? Give Armbrecht & Wierenga Orthodontics a call today at (616) 455-4800 and we can get the discussion started. We hope we see you soon!
This blog post has been updated.