More adults brace for orthodontic treatment

/Home/Dental Care and Treatment/Corrective Dentistry (Orthodontics)/Corrective Dentistry (Orthodontics) Articles

More adults brace for orthodontic treatment
NOV 20, 2007
KELSEY WILLEMS
Wisconsin State Journal

Good news for smile-conscious adults: Those who want to straighten their teeth don't need to worry about being labeled a "brace face" or "metal mouth."

The American Association of Orthodontists estimates more than 1 million adults are undergoing orthodontic treatment in the United States, and that number is growing daily.

According to Dr. Jeff Phillips of Phillips Orthodontics in Madison, adults today have sleeker, more comfortable options to straighten their teeth than ever before.

"The most popular treatment options for adults are those that are most aesthetically pleasing such as ceramic braces and Invisalign," said Phillips. (Invisalign are clear, invisible braces that cost about $5,000.)

Nearly 20 percent of Phillips' patients are adults, with more coming in every day. While many adults come in for tooth straightening, Phillips said he corrects a variety of tooth-related problems such as crowding, worn teeth and a poor bite. Phillips said any adults who are dissatisfied with their smile should see an orthodontist to examine treatment options.

"For some people it may be to correct something that has bothered them all their lives, and now they're in a position to do something about it," Phillips said. "The goal of orthodontic treatment is to bring the patient to optimal dental health."

Worried you're too old for orthodontics? Dr. Chris Kammer of the Center for Cosmetic Dentistry in Middleton said worry not Û you can't be too old to enhance your smile. Ninety percent of Kammer's clients are adults, and he said enjoys helping them improve their smiles through orthodontic and cosmetic dentistry, which includes porcelain veneers and whitening.

"My oldest patients have been in their 80s," Kammer said. "Adults are more motivated to get results, and compliance is higher."

Every treatment option comes with its own time and price tag, but Phillips insists that the benefits of orthodontics don't stop at a beautiful smile.

"Orthodontic treatment aligns teeth and jaws so that they can function efficiently, permitting an individual to bite, chew and speak well," Phillips said. "Teeth in proper alignment generally are less prone to decay and development of gum disease."

Janet Mosley, a 51-year-old patient of Phillips, is undergoing treatment with Invisalign. Mosley wore braces in junior high, but as an adult some of her teeth had shifted. After taking her son in for treatment, she decided to pursue it for herself.

"My son's smile was so vastly improved and looked so perfect that it helped persuade me to seek treatment," Mosley said.

Tim Nybroten, 35, of Verona, a patient of Phillips', decided to pursue orthodontic treatment after his dentist noticed problems with his gums. Nybroten, who considers braces a luxury, only decided to undergo treatment because he would experience problems later in life without the treatment.

"I had a couple teeth that were jutting in towards my tongue, and I was really missing them when I was brushing," Nybroten said. "Obviously when you miss them you get plaque and tartar buildup, which can lead to gum disease and tooth decay."

Having saved up the money for his treatment, Nybroten, who is a pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Madison, got Invisalign on his top teeth, and metal braces on the bottom. As a frequent public speaker, Nybroten appreciated having the "invisibility" of Invisalign, while his bottom braces stayed virtually hidden.

"It worked well for me, and obviously being an adult and having braces it was sure nice to have alternatives so that you don't have food caught in your braces and so forth," he said.

Mosley said her own Invisalign treatment has been "easy," and that any discomfort from the movement of her teeth has been "negligible." In fact, Mosley has only positive things to say about her Invisalign aligners.

"The procedure has worked rapidly to straighten my teeth, and an added bonus is that flossing is much easier due to better spacing of my teeth," Mosley said.

Kammer recommends that adults protect their teeth Û and perhaps their investment in orthodontics Û with a nighttime retainer for life.

"The most common problem on the planet is that we are grinding our teeth down as a society," Kammer said. "Why not remove the damage that occurs subconsciously at night and protect our jaws and our muscles from the strain, our teeth from the damage, and our investment in orthodontics?"

Copyright © 2007 Wisconsin State Journal