Shortcuts: Are you ever too old for orthodontic treatment?
Is treatment more difficult for adults?
Can I have my teeth straightened without having braces glued to my teeth?
Can orthodontics correct TMD or jaw joint problems?
Are their other treatment options that I should consider?

Are you ever too old for orthodontic treatment?

Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile. One of every five patients in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States is over 21 years of age. Nearly 50% of our orthodontic patients are adults.

If the bone and gum tissue around the teeth are healthy, age is not a factor. Everyone wants a beautiful and healthy smile. My oldest patient had her lower teeth straightened at age 81, and returned to have her upper teeth straightened at age 84. The benefits of treatment can be enjoyed for the rest of your life. One might argue that the benefits, though no greater or less, are enjoyed longer by a sixty year old than by a ninety year old. That's true. But don't discount the value to you. Life expectancies are rising, and at any age, you can enjoy the benefits for the rest of your life.

Is treatment more difficult for adults?

Adults can be treated successfully at any age. The biology of tooth movement is similar for all ages. Adults, however, generally are no longer growing, more likely to have missing teeth or prosthetically restored or replaced teeth, age-related loss of supporting gum and bone around the roots of teeth, and time constraints imposed by family and work.

Treatment options using growth are limited though not entirely absent. Remodeling of the alvolar bone that supports the roots of teeth, repositioning and/or remodeling of the temporomandibular joints, and induction of vertical alveolar bone growth is possible at any age. Invisalign offers many advantage for adult treatment.

Can I have my teeth straightened without having braces glued to my teeth?

Probably, though there is no categorical answer to this question. The answer depends on your unique condition and, to some measure, on your age. Yes, A series of 3-D computer generated invisible aligners made by Align Technology, the parent company of Invisalign, may allow creation of a beautiful smile without braces glued to your teeth. This advanced technology is generally limited to adolescents and adults with fully developed permanent teeth and, therefore, is not suitable for most growing children. Nevertheless, there are creative ways to move teeth with removable appliances at any age. These approaches are often subject to limitations. Since every patient's condition is unique, the doctor must examine you to determine the alternative treatments that might be suitable for you

Can orthodontics correct TMD or jaw joint problems?

Quite possibly! Yet it depends. When teeth are not in their correct positions, the teeth can force the lower jaw out of its correct position. As lower teeth approach the upper teeth, the lower jaw may deviate from a normal, healthy trajectory of closure to avoid dental interferences. If there is a discrepancy between the best fit of the teeth upon closure and normal, healthy muscle and jaw joint function, the teeth will prevail to protect them from clashing and possibly fracturing, and the muscles and jaw joints will suffer. This is true whether we have a normal, healthy bite or a bad bite. We will close into the best bite that we have, for better or worse, and that bite may or may not be consistent with symmetrical, healthy muscle and jaw joint function.

Will correction of the bite help? It will depend upon the adaptive changes that have occurred in the jaw joints, the presence or absence of irreparable damage to the joints, and other factors. Our success rate ranges from 72% to 93% depending upon the problems present and treatment employed. A more extended discussion can be found in the section entitled Temporal Mandibular (TMJ) Joint Dysfunction.

Are their other treatment options that I should consider?

The following statement should give you pause for thought. "There is only one correct diagnosis but there can be many treatment plans." It doesn't matter how many doctors look at you, your objective condition remains the same. You should be aware that diagnostic perceptions, or what the doctors perceive to be your condition, can vary from doctor to doctor but do not change your condition. The diagnostic perceptions of the examiner reflect the experience, education and training, keenness of observation and thought, and frequently the personal bias of the examiner. An objective and accurate diagnostic perception is absolutely essential to optimum treatment planning. Once your condition is accurately diagnosed, there may be acceptable alternative plans of treatment. Some plans may be equal in outcome. Some may contain elements of compromise. Some will be more efficient, some less efficient. The mechanotherapies, treatment times, potential benefits, risks, cost, and posttreatment stability are just a few of the variables that may exist between different treatment plans.

Dr. McAnnally is a licensed dentofacial and orthodontic specialist. He has examined your dentofacial and orthodontic needs and knows what is required for correction. We recommend that you explore the potential benefits, risks, mechanotherapies, and estimated treatment times and costs of suitable alternatives with him.

Prosthetic solutions, dentures, cosmetic veneers and crowns are rarely an acceptable or preferred alternative to placing your natural teeth in good alignment where they belong. Veneers, e.g., are rarely the treatment of choice for the correction of misaligned, crooked teeth. We advocate dentofacial orthopedic solutions for orthopedic problems, orthodontic solutions for orthodontic problems, and refer prosthetic problems to the general dentist or prosthodontist for a prosthetic solutions.

You may have a choice between near invisible Invisalign aligners; traditional metal, ceramic, or gold braces; or contemporary, high-tech, self-ligating, low friction brackets. You may choose traditional or something modern and stylish. We provide a full range of options but try to match the patient's needs to the most suitable appliance available. All things equal, we recommend the most stylish braces whenever possible.