When are you too old for braces?

“When are you too old for braces?” is a question that we get all too often – and the answer is never!

Here at Michelle Enmark, DDS in Sacramento we are passionate about helping out patients regardless of what age they are. We know that a straight and white smile is a powerful asset if you’re 16 or 50 and anywhere in between, which is why we’re proud to offer adult orthodontics as one of our many treatments.

Are there problems with adults getting braces or orthodontics?

You can get orthodontics at any age. In fact, there are specific treatments such as Invisalign created especially for adults. There are some factors you need to consider if you are an adult wanting braces.

Treatment may take longer

The older you are the longer your teeth have been in place and the stronger the relationship between your jaw and teeth will be. This can increase the length of time it takes to straighten your teeth. You may also experience slightly more discomfort with traditional braces when your brackets are tightened. This will not be a big difference compared to younger patients and generally this subsides two days after your braces are tightened.

Traditional braces may not be the best for you

Traditional metal braces generally do not agree with the lifestyle of adults and are usually not the preferred treatment. This is why Michelle Enmark, DDS have invested in high quality adult treatments that are also lifestyle friendly.

Metal braces tend to make adults look a little juvenile and they can also get in the way of professional business meetings, not to mention dates! We understand your gripes with metal braces which is why we offer the modern treatment called Six Month Smiles.

What are Six Month Smiles?

Six Month Smiles are a type of orthodontic treatment that utilises clear braces to straighten your smile rapidly. It is perfect for busy professionals that want to straighten their teeth quickly without impacting their daily lifestyle too much.

In most cases you will only have to wait six months to achieve the smile that you want, and some of our patients even choose a whitening procedure at the end of their treatment for a total smile transformation.

How do I take care of my teeth with braces?

Whether you’re having Six Month Smiles as a revisional treatment or if it’s the first time you’re having braces it’s important you know how to keep your teeth healthy.

It’s important that you brush your teeth very thoroughly while you have braces as you may get “tan lines” on your teeth if you don’t brush properly. It’s also important that you floss between your brackets to get rid of all food debris. Doing both of these things will ensure that you don’t get food stuck in your braces and that you have good breath during your treatment.

How is Six Month Smiles different to normal braces?

Six Month Smiles are specifically designed to straighten your teeth rather than address problems like overbites, crossbites etc. This is how this clear braces option can straighten your smile so rapidly.

For more information on Six Month Smiles in Sacramento please contact us.