Think you’re too old to see the orthodontist? Or that you can’t afford to take your child into care? It’s time to rethink that.
Clint Butler, DDS, MSis an assistant professor and director of clinical operations at Postgraduate Orthodontics Program at the University of Colorado School of Dentistry. He believes it is important to know the facts about how orthodontic care can improve overall health.
Myth 1: Braces are for teenagers.
Anyone seven years of age and older can benefit from seeing an orthodontist.
Butler said it’s important for children to be seen as they transition from baby teeth to permanent teeth. This allows the orthodontist to address problems early.
“We can start guiding and fixing the problem while they’re growing and developing. It may not have anything to do with the teeth moving in the first place. But we can start to create more harmony with the jaws during the growth phases.”
This makes any treatment needed in their teens simpler and more effective. It can also prevent major problems such as tooth impaction or tooth damage.
Myth 2: Adults don’t need to go to the orthodontist.
Butler said it’s never too late and anyone at any age can benefit from an orthodontic consultation.
“We have an 82-year-old man in the clinic right now who’s getting Invisalign and he’s happy as a lark,” she said. “His bottom teeth are pretty crooked, which makes it harder to clean and floss to keep things healthy.”
Butler cautions that as you get older, it’s important to work with a team that can take care of all aspects of your oral health. Working with a board-certified orthodontist can help manage this care. The orthodontist can identify and help coordinate additional dental needs with the appropriate providers or specialists to achieve a superior outcome.
Myth 3: Orthodontic care is purely aesthetic.
Addressing misalignment problems early can prevent extensive remedial care later.
“Obviously, there’s the cosmetic part,” Butler said, describing a study showing that people with straight teeth are more likely to be offered jobs. But straight teeth aren’t just about looks. It’s about getting the teeth in the right place in the jaw and making sure they line up.
“Teeth are meant to fit together in a certain way. When in harmony, they complement each other with all movements – chewing, speaking, even swallowing.”
THE CU Dental Orthodontic Clinic recently worked with a 44-year-old woman who had a problem with food getting stuck under a crown, something she hadn’t previously had a problem with. Her dentist offered to replace the crown, but noted that her bite may have caused her teeth to shift, creating space around the crown. The dentist referred her for an orthodontic consultation, which revealed an underlying jaw imbalance that was causing her teeth—and the crown—to shift. If the dentist had replaced the crown, the problem would have continued.
They addressed the bite problem and helped coordinate care with dental specialists to address gum and tissue problems caused by shifting teeth.
Myth 4: Clear alignments aren’t for everyone.
There is a misconception that adults mostly use clear aligners while teenagers use standard metal braces. But technology has advanced significantly in the last decade. Clear aligners are an option for most people, including adults with complex cases, teenagers and young children.
Butler said, “There was a time when I would prefer braces for certain problems because of the limitations with clean alignment technology. But the manufacturers have invested so much in research and development, they’ve really improved this product.”
The effectiveness of clear aligner treatment depends on the expertise of the orthodontic provider and patient compliance. Clean aligners require discipline to use and maintain. But that doesn’t mean clear aligners aren’t for kids.
“I have children as young as nine years old who are able to successfully complete clean alignment therapy,” Butler said.
Myth 5: Traditional braces haven’t changed over the years.
Traditional braces may still be the best option for some patients, based on preference and diagnosis. Parents are often surprised to learn how much braces have changed since they were children.
In the 1980s, the orthodontist had less flexibility in customizing braces for each patient’s treatment needs. Today’s modern braces have built-in prescriptions for ideal tooth position and treatment needs. The orthodontist may recommend modern self-adjusting braces, which close over the wire so that elastics and metal ties are not needed. They are easier to clean than traditional versions and minimize friction in the patient’s mouth.
The stiff, painful cables of the past have also been modernized. The advanced nickel-titanium wires can be made more flexible or rigid based on the temperature of the mouth, providing a more comfortable experience for the patient.
“If a patient’s mouth feels tight, they can drink a glass of cold water and it will take the force off the wire for a while,” Dr. Butler said.
Different aesthetic options are also available, such as clear brackets. Traditional braces also tend to be a more affordable option compared to clear aligners. At CU Orthodontic Clinic, we do not charge more for clear aligner treatment than we do for braces.
Anyone can benefit from orthodontic care
Dr. Butler encourages everyone to take advantage of a free orthodontic consultation. No referral is required and orthodontic treatment is relatively affordable with payment options compared to other dental procedures. Additionally, proper bite alignment can help prevent painful and costly problems in the future.
“The majority of people will benefit from straightening their teeth and bite.”
