Everyone deserves a smile they can be proud of, and many achieve straightened, well-aligned teeth, healthy airways and TMJs after undergoing orthodontic treatment as a child. But for adults who do not have that perfect smile they desire, orthodontics is still an option. In fact, there is no such thing as being too old for orthodontic treatment. Our oldest patient was 75 years old, who was tired of living with her crooked teeth.
More adults than ever are seeking straighter teeth, healthy TM Jaw Joints and treatments for the CPAP intolerant patient – perhaps due to advancements in modern medicine, dentistry and orthodontics that allow for more discreet and less invasive treatments. And braces are not becoming popular only for cosmetic reasons alone, even though we all know how more confident we feel with a beautiful smile to share. Many adults are now realizing the long-term oral health benefits associated with having straighter teeth, healthy TMJs and unobstructed breathing. There is nothing but positive reasons to investigate your options with our office for your health and self-confidence. There are other benefits beyond a good-looking smile, such as airway and TMJ improvements.
Anyone may be a candidate for adult orthodontics, especially if your teeth are crowded, overlapping, crooked or have gaps between them. Find out more about your treatment options by scheduling a consultation with our orthodontist today. A smile is a terrible thing to waste.
During your orthodontic screening, you will undergo an examination and 3D digital imaging to determine the position of your teeth and bite, TMJ health and airway. Dr. Harrell will map out a treatment plan designed to give you the straightest teeth possible in the least amount of time. Depending on the type of braces you choose – traditional or removable – you will be fitted for your appliance and given instructions on how frequently to return for follow-up appointments.
Yes. If you are wearing clear aligners, you will need to change out your trays every few days or weeks. You will also be instructed to always wear your aligners, except for during meals and while brushing your teeth. If you have traditional metal or ceramic braces, you may be given special instructions to avoid biting down on hard or chewy foods, such as popcorn kernels, ice and taffy.
Adult Orthodontics
Traditional orthodontic treatment 18 years of age or older (braces, invisible aligner therapy, etc.) has been the “normal” since braces were invented over 100 years ago. Back then and even today orthodontics is thought necessary to only create a “beautiful smile,” balanced good-looking faces, healthy gums and possibly to stabilize the TM joints. The airway has not been an area that orthodontists believe they can alter. But interestingly enough, airway and breathing patterns related to orthodontics began over 100 years ago; even the father of modern orthodontics, Dr. Edward H. Angle, published and taught on this connection of airway and orthodontics in his lectures and publications. Unfortunately, this got lost in history until the last decade when medical and dental colleagues came together to research this connection further.
Various treatments in these age groups are either totally focusing on aesthetics, i.e., “the beautiful smile,” or also looking at ways to evaluate for airway and sleep issues that may be related to an obstructed airway caused by structural growth abnormalities.
Our office still focuses on non-extraction therapies in teens, young adults and older adults. But there are times where teeth must be extracted as growth is not available to help broaden the dental arches. Even with the few we have to consider extraction therapy; we want the dental / skeletal arches as wide as possible but still fit into bone boundaries and hopefully improve airway function.
Non-extraction “AT ALL COSTS” is not possible every time. The age and the quality of the supporting bone and gums around the teeth dictate the positions they can be moved into. Teeth cannot be moved into “thin air” out of the boney boundaries. This takes careful evaluation and best by using 3D CBCT imaging.
Sometimes surgical procedures may be necessary in order to preserve the airway and not narrow the arches in adults.
Airway and Sleep Disordered Breathing issues are best evaluated by a Sleep Physician, ENT, Otolaryngologist, etc. as Sleep Disordered Breathing such as Sleep Apnea is a Medical Issue that has some dental / orthodontic solutions.
Adult therapies include braces, which can be clear or totally invisible; Invisible Aligner Therapy, which are a series of clear aligners and each one moving the teeth to the final result; Surgical Orthodontic therapies to aid in boney expansion, correcting jaw discrepancies, treating TMJ issues and treating patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Contact Harrell Orthodontics today at 256-234-6353 to make your appointment with our orthodontist, Dr. William Harrell and learn more about adult orthodontics in Alexander City, Alabama!
Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry that corrects “bad bites” or malocclusions. Dr. Harrell is a Board-Certified Orthodontist by the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO).
Our office focuses on airway and TMJ friendly orthodontics. Research has shown that yes, orthodontic therapy may have a negative or positive impact on the airway and even the jaw joints depending on various philosophies of treatment. We like to see patients early (4 – 7 years old) to evaluate breathing, airway issues and TMJ dysfunction as this is the time, while they are growing rapidly, that we can have the GREATEST POSITIVE EFFECT on the GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT of your child.
We do traditional airway friendly orthodontics that create beautiful and healthy smiles in teenagers and adults and try to establish a healthy airway and TM Joints.
We use the latest in 3D technology.