How Invisalign Has Changed Orthodontics for Older Patients

Invisalign in La Jolla, CA

In the past, braces were synonymous with teenagers and it was rare to see orthodontics in the mouths of adults. Unfortunately, this meant that plenty of people who did not have either the money or the opportunity to have braces in their younger years felt like they had to tolerate having crooked or misaligned teeth throughout their adulthood.

Luckily, Invisalign, a newer type of orthodontics, has changed the game. Now it is common for patients in their 20s or even their 50s to straighten their teeth. The award-winning dental team at La Jolla Family Smile Design explain why Invisalign is such a hit with patients later in life.  

Transparent Aligners Keep Invisalign Hidden

Invisalign uses clear aligners that are hard to spot in the patient’s mouth. Rather than looking like a teenager with metal in their mouth, patients can smile and chat with friends who are likely to be none-the-wiser that they are interacting with someone who is wearing Invisalign.

Invisalign Cuts Down on Embarrassment

The transparency of Invisalign is also liberating for patients. So many people with braces feel a compulsion to stifle their smiles to hide their orthodontics, but Invisalign allows patients to smile without reservation. They also don’t need to answer annoying questions from well-intentioned acquaintances about why they waited until 45 before straightening their teeth. With Invisalign, patients can act and feel like themselves as their teeth slowly become more presentable.   

Fewer Dental Appointments

Older patients tend to have jobs and responsibilities that are not conducive to visiting the dentist office twice a month to have their braces tightened. Fortunately, Invisalign allows the patient to spend far less time in one of our chairs. Instead, patients receive a series of aligners that they swap out on a set schedule so that their teeth can continue to be nudged into alignment. Periodic appointments remain necessary to check on the progress, but it’s certainly a time-saver.

Aligners Are Removable

Traditional braces do not offer a break — once they are in a patient’s mouth, they remain there until the course of treatment is complete. Though you are meant to wear your Invisalign for 20 to 22 hours per day, older patients like that they can remove their Invisalign while eating meals or even for brief social events. This also makes it easier to keep your teeth and the aligners clean.

Interested in Invisalign?

It’s never too late for orthodontics, especially thanks to the many benefits of Invisalign. No matter your age, if you would like to straighten your teeth, chances are you are a good candidate for these clear aligners. To meet with one of our dentists and learn whether Invisalign can help you achieve the kind of teeth you have always dreamed of, please call (858) 454-3044.