In the US, around 45% of people use braces at some point in their life. But while many have their teeth straightened out when they are children, others still suffer from misalignment in adulthood. Here at Parkwood Dental in East Bradenton, FL, we often recommend Invisalign to patients of all ages. These special braces are completely invisible, easy to take care of, and provide fast results. Read on to find out how to get Invisalign at any age.
What Is the Best Age for Invisalign?
There are many benefits to choosing Invisalign. The most obvious one is that these aligners are made of see-through plastic, so most people won’t even know that you are wearing them. What’s more, you can remove them from your mouth while you are eating or cleaning your teeth, so there’s no risk of food getting stuck between your braces and your teeth.
For the above-named reasons, Invisalign braces are appropriate for almost everyone, including children, teenagers, adults, and even the 50+ age group. If you believe that your teeth are misaligned and you’d like to fix the issue, you should book an appointment at your local dental clinic as soon as possible. Your dentist can let you know whether you are a good candidate.
Children
Most experts agree that children shouldn’t get braces before the age of seven. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, children still have baby teeth that will fall out and be replaced, so there’s no way of knowing whether the adult teeth will be misaligned or not. Secondly, toddlers and young children might have trouble eating and brushing their teeth with their braces.
Here at Parkwood Dental, we often work with children between 7-12. At that age, patients can understand why they need aligners, and they are capable of keeping them in their mouths for 22 hours a day.
Teenagers
Typically, braces are fitted between the ages of 8-14. Although they are a necessary cosmetic treatment, most teenagers would prefer not to have them, and they may be embarrassed by the appearance of their braces. For this reason, Invisalign is a great option for teens. Whenever they are eating with their friends or holding an important presentation, they can remove their aligners to avoid embarrassment.
What’s more, teenagers can continue with their sports or hobbies without having to worry about their braces. If you believe you or your child would feel self-conscious wearing regular braces, Invisalign could be the perfect option.
Adults
Sometimes, issues with crooked teeth aren’t addressed until adulthood. Fortunately, it is never too late to take care of your teeth and get them straightened out. If you’d like to get aligners after the age of 18, Invisalign could be the best option. By choosing invisible braces, you can avoid feeling self-conscious or having to explain yourself to others.
What’s more, you won’t need to worry about nutrition. People wearing traditional braces might need to stop eating chewy foods like bagels, crunchy foods like popcorn, and hard foods like nuts. But since you take Invisalign out when you eat and brush your teeth, you won’t have this issue, and you’ll be able to maintain your regular diet.
Older Adults
You might be surprised to discover that even people in the 50+ age group can have Invisalign treatment. Since dental problems like gum disease are more common in this age group, your dentist will need to examine your teeth carefully before allowing you to participate. But as long as your gums are healthy, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to benefit from invisible braces and finally achieve that smile you’ve always dreamed about.
How to Get Invisalign
People who are worried about the appearance of their teeth should get in touch with the dentist at their local clinic and ask about braces and aligners. Since Invisalign is not an invasive treatment, you’re likely to be eligible even if you have a medical issue. However, your specialist will double-check your records and examine your oral health to make sure the treatment is safe for you and will produce the desired results.
What Is the Treatment Like?
If your dentist decides that Invisalign is the best option, they will create a custom aligner to match your teeth. Every one to two weeks, you will receive a new tray that is slightly straighter than your teeth’s current alignment. Over time, you will achieve the optimal shape.
While people with very mild issues might only go through 5-15 trays, those whose teeth are severely misaligned might require 20-30 individual aligners. During your initial consultation, your doctor can assess your condition and let you know how long treatment might take. Typically, Invisalign patients wear their aligners for 6-24 months.
Get Invisible Braces Now
Braces can be disruptive, especially for teenage or adult patients. Fortunately, a great alternative is now available. Invisalign is suitable for people of all ages, and these aligners are made of plastic instead of metal. Thus, they are almost invisible, and they can be removed for eating and brushing your teeth. Call us now at Parkwood Dental in East Bradenton, FL to book your appointment with a dentist and find out how to get Invisalign.
