At what age can I straighten my teeth?

When it comes to straightening your teeth, how young is too young? and, is there a point where you would be considered too old to straighten your teeth? These are very common question we get asked often at Inspired Dental Care. Whilst there is no ‘standard’ starting age for teeth straightening each individual case might have an ‘ideal’ time to start, often depending on the specific orthodontic characteristics. Orthodontic treatment including ‘braces’ or train tracks can be started as teenager or later on but it is best to consult with an orthodontic clinician to determine the most suitable timing for your case.

Teeth straightening is generally an option for patients at any chronological age. Having it done early in life is usually performed to tackle orthodontic issues that may later become much more severe and having it done later in life as a mature adult is generally a reflection of the lack of orthodontic treatment early in life that may have caused functional and aesthetic problems as an adult. Whilst most think that orthodontic treatment is about ‘looks’ and some patients may be completely happy with their smile there is almost always a functional component to orthodontic treatments and your orthodontic clinician should be able to highlight the functional benefits when proposing treatments.  The bottom line is that everybody deserves a healthy, functional smile and that is almost never too late or too early to achieve.

How old do you have to be to get Invisalign®?

With Invisalign® or clear aligners, children can also get their teeth straightened and Invisalign® can be used to correct and prevent future dental problems as successfully as other more traditional approaches. The Invisalign® teeth-straightening system for children is called Invisalign® First and it can be used in children as young as 6-10 years old as an interceptive phase or “Phase One” of their teeth straightening journey. It is however important to understand that such as other traditional systems, other phases of treatments may apply depending on the case.

Invisalign® clear aligners are different to traditional metal ‘train-track’ braces. Invisalign® aligners are made from a flexible material called (SmartTrack) looks almost invisible when worn. The Invisalign® aligners are always custom-made for each individual in order to fit snugly and comfortably in any mouth.

The Invisalign® journey begins with an assessment and a 3D scan of the teeth where a simulated smile design outcome can be shown to envision how the smile might look like. A series of custom-made clear Invisalign® aligners will then be produced based on the Invisalign® smile design treatment plan prepared by your orthodontic clinician in collaboration with Invisalign®.

Having orthodontic treatments as a child including Invisalign® not only means children can potentially prevent more severe issues later on but might also be able to grow up with confidence and not feel conscious about their smile or with the stigma of having to wear traditional metal braces.

Can teenagers get their teeth straightened?

Yes, of course! Teens are great candidates for orthodontic treatments including with Invisalign® aligners. Whilst the aligners are almost invisible so it won’t interfere with appearance or everyday life and their versatility mean they can be removed for a special occasion or school photos for example. Another major advantage of Invisalign® treatment for teenagers is that it is more comfortable than traditional metal braces or train-tracks. With Invisalign® treatment, there are no brackets or wires to rub against the inside of the mouth that may cause cuts, sores or ulcers and this is a unique characteristic to this system. This is particularly important when undergoing important exams and essays as there’s no added problems or pain to distract you.

Invisalign® clear aligners are also removable and for this reason it is essential that teenagers are fully committed to achieving the results as without full compliance Invisalign® will not be successful.

Invisalign® clear aligners can treat a wide range of dental issues present in teenagers including deepbites, openbites, spacing between the teeth and crowded teeth.

Invisalign® clear aligners are perfect for active, sporty teenagers as there’s no risk of the aligners getting caught on clothing or sports equipment and there is a much less risk of oral lesions when trauma occurs during contact sports or sporting accidents for example.

Can adults get their teeth straightened?

Not being a teenager anymore, does not mean that you have to miss out on straighter teeth and the aesthetic smile that you’ve always wanted. Even if you have long-standing dental issues like crowded teeth, deepbites, openbites, or gaps, Invisalign® clear aligners can give you the smile you deserve.

Invisalign® clear aligners are usually the desirable option for adults as the Invisalign® clear aligners are designed to be as discreet as possible. Invisalign® aligners are clear and practically invisible when worn, so most people you socialise with will never know you are undergoing treatment unless you tell them. This is a huge bonus as you don’t need to feel self-conscious about getting your teeth straightened around friends, family, or colleagues. As Invisalign® clear aligners are removable, they are easy to remove for important meetings or life events that you may want ultimate freedom.

As an adult, having straighter teeth can provide several benefits for you both physically and emotionally.

Physically, having straighter teeth can make it easier for you to brush and floss them properly. This is important as it helps to keep your teeth healthy and free from cavities and other dental problems as you get older. Crowded teeth can harbour plaque and bacteria that is difficult for you to clean this away and can compromise the health of your teeth. Misalignment can also very frequently cause uneven wearing of certain teeth and having orthodontic treatments can prevent severe wear problems when tackled at the right time.

Additionally, having straighter teeth can also help to alleviate any pain or discomfort that you may be experiencing in your mouth, as misaligned teeth can often put pressure on certain areas. Particularly in areas of overcrowding, additional pressure placed on areas that should not experience this can cause long term aches and pains.

Emotionally, having straighter teeth can contribute to your self-confidence. If you have always been conscious of your teeth but have never had the confidence to do anything about it, treatments using Invisalign® clear aligners may help you to finally achieve the smile that you have always wanted in a discreet way.

If you are considering Invisalign® clear aligners, remember that almost anyone can benefit from it, no matter the age, there are almost no limitations in comparison to traditional braces. Whether you are a child with developing teeth and jaws, a teenager who wants to avoid metal braces, or an adult who has always wanted to achieve straighter teeth, Invisalign® clear aligners may help you on your quest to achieve your desired smile.

To find out more about Invisalign® clear aligners and other orthodontic options contact us to book a consultation with our Invisalign® provider. Our orthodontic clinician will assess your individual needs and give you more information about the treatment process.