Am I Too Old for Invisalign?

Teeth can become misaligned for many reasons, and clear aligners like Invisalign are an option for managing the problems associated with this issue. But is there a point where you become too old for the treatment to be effective?

Dental braces are an option to help with various problems concerning crooked and misaligned teeth, and there are many to choose from, including traditional metal, lingual, self-ligating, and clear braces. While each has a different approach, the overall method is the same: forcing teeth into alignment over time to straighten them and reduce dental issues.

Invisalign is a clear aligner that works with the same principle but uses a less visible process to perform the task. However, it’s used among kids and teens while their teeth develop. What does this mean for adults dealing with similar issues? Let’s explore how Invisalign works, its process, and its effectiveness for adults.

Dr. Ayed Hawatmeh and his dedicated medical team at Bravo Dental Group can provide teeth alignment options to children and adults at their Brea, Banning, Corona, and Hemet, California offices.

How Invisalign works

Braces are dental appliances attached to teeth and held together by wire that slowly pulls teeth into alignment. The principle of Invisalign is similar but uses aligner trays. Using a flexible, thermoplastic material (called SmartTrack), these aligner trays are placed in your mouth for extended periods per day for up to 18 months, replacing trays multiple times to move teeth into place slowly.

This process assists with various misalignment issues, such as crowding, spacing, overbite, underbite, crossbite, and open bite. Invisalign can correct these issues without the embarrassment of metal braces making you feel self-conscious.

The treatment process

To start the process, Dr. Hawatmeh and his team scan or make a 3D impression of your teeth in their current state to use as a baseline. Then, they determine where your teeth should end up based on where they are, and the trays are made over time to help you progress gradually.

When the first set is ready, you start your end of the treatment, where you keep them in your mouth for about 22 hours daily, and you receive a new set of aligners every week or two throughout the overall time you use them.

You can remove the aligners to clean them and take them out when eating, brushing, or flossing. Cleaning after meals is critical to prevent anything from getting trapped in the tray.

Their effectiveness on adults

The primary difference between younger (child or teen) and adult teeth is bone density. Adults have denser teeth than teens or kids, but the braces and aligners still perform the same function. Other dental problems can make this method more difficult for adults, such as receding gum lines, misshapen teeth, or missing teeth, meaning the process would take longer rather than being ineffective.

Invisalign can solve dental problems at any age, but you may need to make allowances for issues often unique to adults. If you’re ready to see what Invisalign can do, make an appointment with Dr. Hawatmeh and Bravo Dental Group today.