In our modern society more and more emphasis is being placed on looks and appearances. Constant exposure in the media along with greater health awareness has caused more and more adults to have an interest in orthodontic treatment.
In my office I have seen a steady rise in the adult population. The majority of adult cases we see fall into four categories: Those that had braces in their teens and did not wear retainers and now have mild crowding; those that want to improve their smile because of their profession (actors, speakers, salesperson); those that have long neglected their smile and have now finally decided to do something about it; and finally those referred by a dentist due to missing teeth and need for orthodontics before some sort of implant or bridge work.
Based on the severity of the case, several treatment options exist for the adult population. The majority of cases seen in our office are those that previously had braces and did not wear retainers. Most of the adults in this group do not want a second phase of braces and are just looking for some minor realignment. This is ideally treated with Invisalign, which are clear aligners worn for a certain period of time to gradually align teeth back to the ideal position. Great results can be achieved with this option.
For the adults that never had braces and are now requiring orthodontic treatment, standard braces tend to be the ideal choice since greater movement is required and Invisalign is not always sufficient. For these adults, we offer the latest in clear braces and wires if esthetics is of concern or if the profession demands it (actors, speakers, salesperson).
Sometimes orthognathic surgery is needed in adults if the severity of the malocclusion is too great or if a correction of the profile is indicated (i.e: severe underbite, lower jaw being too far behind upper jaw). Life changing results can be achieved with orthognathic surgery and drastic improvements of one’s profile can be seen.
Braces are no longer exclusive to teenagers. More and more adults are now taking advantage of the wonderful, life changing benefits of orthodontic treatment. With various treatment options available and clear, esthetic braces, there is no excuse not to see your orthodontist!
Dr. Reza Salmassian is a Diplomate of The American Board of Orthodontics and specializes in orthodontics for children and adults. For any questions regarding this article or to schedule your complimentary orthodontic evaluation, please contact Dr. Salmassian at 661-222-7444. The office is located at the Bridgeport Marketplace, 24001 Newhall Ranch Road, Suite 220 in Valencia.