Adults Can Join Famous Faces with Braces
EAGAN, ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – Believe it or not, we still encounter adults who tell us that they are “too old” for braces.
Imagine their surprise when we tell them that about 20 percent of the patients in our Eagan orthodontics practice are adults. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, about one out of every five orthodontic patients is an adult.
And the less visible and bulky braces get as technology improves, the more adults seem willing to jump on the bandwagon- even famous adults. Colgate’s newsletter, SmileTalk, recently compiled a list of “Famous Faces with Braces.” Actors, musicians and other well-known figures including Oprah Winfrey, Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Gwen Stefani, Barbara Walters, Nicholas Cage, Cher and Whoopi Goldberg all have undergone treatment as adults, according to the article.
“When it comes to adults in particular, orthodontic treatment tends to accomplish more than just proper alignment of the teeth,” says Eagan Orthodontist Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth. “We tend to see huge boosts in confidence and self image upon completing treatment.”
Technological advancements in orthodontics enable more adults to correct malocclusions such as spaces between teeth, crossbites, overbites, underbites and crooked or crowded teeth.
In addition to braces with smaller, clear brackets, systems such as Invisalign- a series of clear plastic aligners custom-fit for individuals that slowly shift teeth into proper alignment- are popular among adults, says Eisenhuth, an Eagan Invisalign provider.
Another popular option adults gravitate toward is the Incognito system. Incognito braces are the only ones on the market that are completely customized to the contours of each individual patient’s teeth. These braces are lingual, meaning they fit onto the back of the teeth. They are not noticeable when worn.
Eisenhuth, an Eagan, MN Incognito braces provider, often uses the treatment on adult professionals who want more comfortable, fast-acting treatment, but don’t want people to notice that they are undergoing orthodontic treatment, says the Eagan invisible braces expert. Musicians who play wind instruments, or anyone who is self-conscious about wearing braces that others can see usually can be treated with Incognito braces.
Regardless of your age, orthodontic treatment can help you maintain a healthier mouth, a more pleasing appearance and teeth that are more likely to last a lifetime, according to the SmileTalk article.
Some adults seek treatment to correct problems with the alignment of their jaws or teeth before they lead to more serious or additional damage. Other times, adults simply want to feel more confident about their appearance, so they seek to correct cosmetic issues with their teeth that have bothered them for years, says Eisenhuth, who also is an Eagan invisible braces specialist.
It is important to note that even if you perceive an orthodontic problem to be cosmetic in nature, these problems have the potential to cause damage over time. When teeth and jaws are not aligned properly, they can cause premature wear, gum disease and advanced tooth decay. If left untreated long enough, you could require reconstructive treatment or surgery to correct the most serious of problems.
We recommend making an appointment for a complimentary consultation so you can learn about your treatment options and together, we can develop a treatment plan that best suits your needs.
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