Adult Orthodontics
Information About Adult Braces
At what age is a patient too old for orthodontics?
Patients who have healthy teeth and supporting structures are never too old for orthodontic therapy. Age is not a factor!
Why are adults seeking orthodontics in increasing numbers?
More than 92% of adults agree that an attractive smile is an important social asset. Nearly 88% of adults say they remember someone with an especially attractive smile. 74% agree that an unattractive smile can hurt a person's chances for career success. Many adults are receiving orthodontic care that was not available to them as children. Adults realize that improving oral health and aesthetics can also improve their personal and professional lives. Technical advances have also promoted adult therapy.
What are some of those advances?
Cosmetic alternatives such as Invisalign clear removable aligners and clear ceramic braces have increased adult acceptance of orthodontic treatment. The use of new hi-tech wires results in little to no discomfort and significantly reduce the need for extractions. These low force wires with shape memory also reduce the number of appointments required and overall treatment time, thereby minimizing the impact of orthodontic treatment on your professional and personal life.
Social Factors
There are a number of social factors that affect adults interested in treatment. These include higher levels of:
· Treatment expectations
· Concern with appearance
· Discomfort from wearing appliances
· Willingness to cooperate with orthodontic instructions
Adult patients obviously want the best results, in the shortest amount of time and with the lowest level of discomfort or inconvenience. They also want to know more about what the orthodontist is doing and why, and may look for more information about the cost breakdown of each portion of treatment.
With adults now comprising up to 30 percent of patients, some offices are focusing their attention on the specifics of adult orthodontics. If you're considering some corrective treatment, consider the issues that can affect you.
Adult Orthodontics
Pediatric Orthodontics
Information About Child Orthodontics
Overview
Orthodontic treatment in young children is known as interceptive or "Phase 1" orthodontics. It can begin as early as age 7. At this age, teeth are still developing and the jaws are still growing. This means certain bite conditions like overbites, underbites, and crosbites, may be easier to correct because there is still growth remaining. After a certain age (varies with each child) the jaws are no longer growing and treatment options and results may be limited.
Benefits of EARLY ORTHODONTICS
Early intervention takes advantage of the fact that a child's jaws are still growing. Early treatment is useful when the dental arches and jaws are not in the correct position. Fixed and removable appliances can fix or improve these problems. In some cases braces may also be needed if there is a dental problem as well. More treatment may be needed later on, but it may be shorter and less involved.
Will I Need Braces Again?
In more severe cases, some patients benefit from having two phases of orthodontic treatment;
- The early phase: Phase 1 treatment is the early orthodontic treatment usally from ages 7-12. In this stage there are still many baby teeth remaining.
- The Second Phase: Phase 2 orthodontic treatment is performed after all of the adult teeth (except wisdom teeth) have erupted. This is usually after age 12. This phase can be done with braces or Invisalign.
Child Pediatric Orthodontics
How does Invisalign Compare to DIY Aligners?
Mail Order Orthodontic Aligners
It seems too good to be true – straighter teeth for a fraction of the price and without ever needing to hop into the orthodontist's chair. Dentists say it is. Dentists and Orthodontists are urging the public to steer clear of online, do-it-yourself orthodontic services, such as Candid and Smile Direct Club, saying they may exacerbate dental problems and lead to costly remedial treatment.
What can go wrong with clear aligners from Smile Direct Club and Candid Co?
Because there is no dental exam before treatment, people run the rink of making existing problems worse. Before treatment, the orthodontist identifies and treats any dental health problems before offering patients orthodontic treatment. This is done through comprehensive exam, x-rays, photos and digital models before orthodontic treatment. Pre-existing problems, like gum disease or cavities, can be overlooked with home kits that can be made worse with DIY clear aligners. An orthodontist typically has many years of post college education to learn to identify oral health problems and best manage them. To do any sort of tooth movement without the supervision of a dentist or orthodontist is risky.
Another danger of mail order aligners is the lack of supervision during treatment. When you are treated with clear aligner therapy in an orthodontist’s office, they require routine appointments to make sure your teeth are moving at the safest, most efficient rate. An orthodontist will adjust your treatment plan as needed along the way, but you won’t get this when you go with DIY, home aligners. With mail order aligners, you may develop problems during treatment, but there is no doctor to help you know if something is going wrong. I would suggest anyone interested in mail order aligners do some Google searches for “Smile Direct Club Problems” and “Canidico Aligner Problems”.
What is being done to protect the public?
Americans deserve safe and effective dental treatment regardless of whether the treating dentist is in person with the patient or provides services through teledentistry. With the emergence of new business models offering various dental services that can be ordered without an in-person clinical examination, like direct-to-consumer orthodontics, it is imperative that dental treatment, no matter how it is accessed, continues to meet the standard of care. Because dentistry is regulated state by state, it is up to each state to pass rules that protect the residents.
California recently (October 13, 2019) passed bill AB 1519 which requires that dentists providing orthodontics to patients must disclose their license number and dental board contact information and review radiographs prior to the movement of teeth. This uniform standard of care applies regardless of whether the treating dentist is in person with the patient or provides services through teledentistry.
An orthodontist and the New Jersey Dental Association have filed a civil complaint in the Superior Court of New Jersey alleging that clear aligner company Smile Direct Club is "engaged in the unlawful practice of dentistry in this state," according to the Jan. 28 complaint.
Georgia won a lawsuit against Smile Direct Club on May 8, 2019, when a federal court dismissed most of the claims that Smile Direct Club filed, which arose out of a state rule requiring digital scans for the fabrication of orthodontic appliances to be performed under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist. The court rejected Smile Direct Club’s claim that digital scanning of patients’ teeth does not constitute the practice of dentistry. The court called this argument incorrect, stating that “taking digital scans of a patient’s mouth for the purpose of having a dentist or orthodontist approve of a treatment plan for correcting a malposition of the patient's teeth falls squarely within the definition of the practice of dentistry as set forth” in state regulations.
In Tennessee Smile Direct Club faces a class action lawsuit filed by orthodontists and a consumer. On September 25, 2019 a class-action lawsuit was filed Wednesday against Nashville-based Smile Direct Club accusing the company of false advertising and violation of federal law. The lawsuit, filed in Middle Tennessee U.S. District Court by a group of orthodontists and a consumer, alleges that Smile Direct Club is engaging in the illegal practice dentistry. The complaint also alleges that the Nashville-based company misled consumers about its product’s effectiveness and level of customer satisfaction. The suit on behalf of consumers is seeking monetary damages stemming from Smile Direct Club’s “fraudulent and deceptive practices related to the sale and marketing” of the company’s aligners.
Why are DIY Clear Aligners a bad choice?
It’s risky! There are a number of Smile Direct Club and Candid Co customers who are happy with their results. However, there are a number of customers who have had disastrous results. Again, I recommend you do your own research on Google and Facebook and you will see the horror stories for yourself. In my opinion, it’s just not worth taking a risk with your health to save a few dollars.
What are better options?
I would suggest getting 2 or 3 estimates from orthodontist or dentists in your area. Most doctors offer a complimentary exam. At least with this, they can warn you of any potential problems you would have if you starting orthodontic treatment. Don’t be afraid to ask the doctor what his/her thoughts are about DIY clear aligners. Most doctors already have experience with having to fix some of the “mess ups” from DIY aligner treatment. If you are in the Tampa area (Lutz, Land O Lakes, Wesley Chapel, New Port Richey, Trinity) Dr. Thomas can help you evaluate what options will be suited best to your needs and goals. Contact Thomas Orthodontics for your orthodontic needs and start smiling with confidence today!
DIY Orthodontic Aligners