Orthodontics is traditionally considered a teenage rite of passage—when the permanent teeth come in and problems with alignment or spacing become apparent, it’s time to go in for braces or clear aligners. Unfortunately, this association can discourage adults who aren’t completely satisfied with their own smiles from consulting an orthodontist to see what can be done to improve them. Teeth can continue to move as you age, and it isn’t unusual for individuals to develop issues with misalignment that they didn’t have before.
Are My Teeth Bad Enough to Need Straightening?
What do we consider a problem “big” enough to correct with braces or clear aligners? Many orthodontic issues have implications for oral hygiene, speech, and chewing, and can cause symptoms like jaw pain, headaches, or excessive tooth wear and damage. But it isn’t necessary to wait until misalignments are literally causing pain to seek help. If you look in the mirror and are unhappy with how your teeth look, or you don’t feel free to smile as widely as you would like, it doesn’t matter if you tell yourself that nobody else even notices, or that the issue is “not that bad.” Improving your comfort in your appearance is reason enough to correct the orthodontic concerns that have been nagging at you.
What are some of the common issues that we see among our adult patients?
Top Reasons Adults Get Orthodontics
There’s no one profile for adults considering orthodontics. Some had braces as teens, and their teeth gradually shifted out of their corrected alignment over a period of years once they stopped wearing retainers. Others have long-standing, obvious issues that were never corrected when they were younger. But others have spent most of their lives with smiles considered either good or “good enough.” This last group may feel almost embarrassed to be dissatisfied. But there should not be any feelings of shame attached to wanting properly aligned teeth for either health or aesthetic reasons.
Many of the issues we see fall into the following general categories:
| Orthodontic Issue | What It Means | Why It Matters | Treatment Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Crowding | Not enough space in the jaw, causing teeth to overlap or twist. | Makes cleaning difficult, increases plaque buildup, risk of decay, gum disease. | Clear aligners or braces to gradually create space and straighten teeth. |
| Bite Misalignments (Overbite/Underbite) | Upper teeth overlap too much (overbite) or lower teeth extend past uppers (underbite). | Can cause chewing issues, speech difficulties, jaw pain, and excessive tooth wear. | Braces (traditional or clear), sometimes aligners; Lightforce braces for severe cases. |
| Gaps Between Teeth | Noticeable spaces between teeth, often from alignment or spacing problems. | Can affect bite function and aesthetics; may cause shifting of neighboring teeth. | Clear aligners or braces to close gaps and balance bite alignment. |
All these conditions can be effectively treated in adults. And fortunately, modern orthodontics provides multiple options to do so. Many of our adult patients prefer the discretion of clear aligners, in which a series of custom-made clear plastic aligners are worn to gradually guide teeth into the desired position. Others may prefer braces, which remain a highly effective option, especially for those who worry about losing an aligner or like the convenience of having fixed orthodontics. This method can be made more discreet with clear brackets; in fact, one of the latest innovations in orthodontics, Lightforce, is a 3D printed clear brace that customizes brackets to the patient, which can reduce treatment time for severely crowded cases. The ideal treatment will vary for each patient, as an individualized plan should consider not only the issue to be corrected, but also the patient’s lifestyle and preferences to match them with the technique that will be most effective for them.
Expert Orthodontic Care for Adults in Yorba Linda
If the smile you see in the mirror each morning isn’t the one you dream of having, it’s never too late to fix it. At B Orthodontics, we can help give you the beautifully aligned teeth you need to feel better and promote excellent oral health at any age. To learn more about your options for treatment as an adult patient, contact us here to schedule your consultation.
