So many adult patients come to their exam appointment and say, “I must be the oldest patient you’ve ever had.” Unless you’re over 91 years old – you’re not! There are a number of reasons more & more adults are choosing orthodontic treatment than ever before. Here’s a look at some of them.
Key Reasons More Adults Are Getting Orthodontic Treatment
1. Improved awareness of oral health vs just appearance
Adults are increasingly recognizing that misaligned teeth are more than just a cosmetic issue: crooked teeth can lead to gum disease, tooth decay, extra tooth wear, jaw joint problems, bone loss, and more. Orthodontics is an investment in long-term oral (and overall) health.
As people live longer and dental preventative care improves, adults keep more of their natural teeth later into life, so it becomes more worthwhile to invest in alignment/orthodontic treatment even as patients get older.
2. More discreet, more comfortable treatment options
The kinds of braces and aligners available now are much more adult-friendly than in decades past. Clear aligners (like Invisalign), ceramic or tooth-colored braces, and smaller brackets make orthodontic treatment less visible.
In our practice, most adults choose clear aligners, which get far fewer complaints about the discomfort from scratched-up lips and cheeks than patients who choose brackets and wires. Similarly, aligner patients very rarely have the sore teeth that come from ‘tightening’ braces.
3. Advances in technology that improve speed, predictability, comfort, and convenience
Digital imaging and modeling, 3D scans, virtual treatment planning, AI-driven tools, and improvements in materials all help to reduce treatment time, reduce the number of in-office visits, and improve outcomes.
For a standard case of braces or Invisalign, we no longer need to take goopy impressions of your teeth, and our x-rays and scans can all be done in our office. For many busy adults (& patients in general), this makes a big difference.
4. Cultural & social influences
We are all on our phones more than ever before. Social media, selfies, and video calls (Zoom, Teams, etc.) make people more conscious of their smiles and facial appearance. Being “on camera” more often has exposed people to their smile in new ways, sometimes creating a desire to correct imperfections.
During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, when people were seeing themselves on camera for the first time, we had a rush of patients contact us for treatment (“I had no idea how bad my lower teeth were when I talk!!”) because your static/still smile is quite different than your talking smile. For example, you may not show your lower teeth when you smile in a selfie, but show them extensively when talking.
Additionally, many celebrities talk about or openly use braces/aligners, which helps normalize them for adults. For example, Invisalign has a campaign with many top NFL players – if Patrick Mahomes can straighten his teeth with Invisalign, so can you!
5. Greater financial accessibility / flexible payment options
Our practice offers in-house financing, flexible payment plans, and clear pricing. Some patients have HSA or FSA funds that can be applied to their payments. There are also some limited treatment options available for patients with specific goals, and these limited options are at a lower price point and shorter treatment time.
6. “Unfinished business”
Some adults didn’t have access to orthodontics when they were younger and always wished they had had that opportunity. Others had braces earlier in life but didn’t maintain retainers (or teeth/bite shifted over time). There is “unfinished business” for many adults.
7. Shifting priorities toward self-care, wellness, and appearance at all ages
More people view appearance, confidence, and wellbeing holistically – and a good smile is an important part of that! Many adults see orthodontics as part of self-investment rather than just something for kids. As we said above, orthodontics is related to more than just appearance. Good oral health is a part of good overall health at any age.
There are many reasons that adults take the first step in their orthodontic journey, and many benefits to doing so. Give us a call today to schedule your complimentary initial appointment to get started.