Adult Orthodontics
Portland, OR
 Orthodontics is for children and teenagers, right? Not necessarily. Researchers say that up to 50% of people under orthodontic care are adults. This means that if you are an adult, and you are not happy with the look of your teeth, you can visit a dentist or an orthodontist for help. Adult orthodontics is both easier and more difficult than children’s orthodontic care. The professionals at Senestraro Family Orthodontics can help you figure out which type of adult orthodontic care you might need.
What is the Difference Between Adult Orthodontics and Children’s Orthodontics?
Often, adult patients have conditions in their mouths that children don’t have because their mouths are older. While children’s mouths are still growing and changing, the mouths of adults are no longer growing. Adult teeth, because the mouth is harder, do not adjust to a new position as quickly as children’s teeth do. The teeth of adults are older and may have been changed through insufficient blood supply, cavities, and fillings. Also, adults might suffer from bone loss, infections due to gingivitis, and insufficiency of bone.
However, orthodontists say that adults sometimes make better patients than children and teenagers, because they are better able to get their teeth clean, make their appointments, and stick to treatment schedules.
Why Do Adults Seek Orthodontic Care?
Adults who want to seek orthodontic care usually come to their dentist or orthodontist because they notice they have an improper bite. For example, some adults want to have their overbites corrected. When they were younger, their overbites might have had less impact on their mouths. Their childhood dentist may have determined the overbite wasn’t severe enough to correct. However, because an adult’s teeth are more worn over the years, the overbite may become worse. When that happens, an adult’s mouth may begin to ache, and the adult may have trouble chewing. Orthodontics can restore their mouth to the correct alignment.
Adults also come to the orthodontist because they had teeth extracted when they were younger. If the extractions were not done correctly, the adult might suffer from bone loss and tooth movement. This movement and loss might also be affecting the bite of adults.
What Does Adult Orthodonture Look Like?
One of the main reasons adults do not seek orthodontic care is because they do not want to be seen wearing the same braces they might have worn as children. However, adults can choose to have braces or other appliances in their mouths that are virtually undetectable. They can choose from braces or brackets that can be behind their teeth. There are also invisible braces. Appliances are usually undetectable. Orthodontic care in adulthood doesn’t have to be visible to be effective. Be sure that when you come to see us, you ask about all of the options for your mouth, so that you can be informed about the best solution for you.
If you suspect you have problems with your bite, why not give Senestraro Family Orthodontics a call at (503) 228-1945. We would love to talk about your mouth. We want you to have healthy teeth for life - no matter what stage of life you are in. |
