There is no age limit for starting orthodontic treatment! Bone is living tissue, and teeth can move naturally throughout life. Today, more and more adults are choosing to rectify their smile, and nearly 30% of patients undergoing treatment are adults. At 20, 30, 40, 50 or 60 years old, it’s never too late to present a pretty smile.
Although most patients are primarily interested in improving the aesthetics of their smile, correcting the position of the teeth as an adult also makes brushing easier, avoiding the risk of cavities and tartar, protecting the gums, and preventing tooth loosening. The vital functions of the mouth, such as chewing, phonation or breathing, can also be improved thanks to late treatment. The treatment can also be used as a basis before the realization of prostheses, the placement of implants, or the performance of special dental treatments.
However, in order to benefit from orthodontic treatment, adult patients must have good periodontal condition, as well as good oral hygiene. There are other medical contraindications, such as heart disease or diabetes. Orthodontics can be performed at any age, but requires special skills… Indeed, the absence of growth, the absence of certain teeth, the presence of prosthetic restorations or gum damage make the treatment more complex than in young patients. In any case, it is not age that is an obstacle to orthodontic treatment, but the patient’s maxillodental condition.
Adult orthodontics tends to favor invisible appliances, such as invisible aligners or lingual orthodontics. To learn more about these orthodontic treatments, go to the dedicated article. The different types of adult treatment
