August 21st is “National Senior Citizens Day,” and seniors continue to be an increasing demographic of orthodontic patients.
The presumptions (and, on occasion, stigmas) of orthodontic treatment only being for adolescents are not as prevalent as in past years. Orthodontic appliances have become more discreet in appearance. Plus, advances in orthodontic technology have meant an accelerated treatment time for many individual cases.
Still, older adults often postpone getting orthodontic treatment well past the ‘typical age’ of your standard orthodontic patient. We’ll take a look at ‘why?,’ plus what is at stake for your oral health as you grow older.
How Your Teeth & Mouth Change With Age
Just as your vision, hearing, weight, and other aspects of your physical body modify as you grow older, so do your mouth, jaws, and teeth.
Aging can bring about significant changes in the oral cavity, including shifting teeth, bone loss, and wear on tooth surfaces. If your teeth are misaligned, that can open the door for a variety of dental complications, such as increased susceptibility to cavities, difficulty cleaning between teeth, difficulty chewing food, heightened risk of periodontal disease, and TMJ difficulties.
Your bone density also decreases as you get older, which can affect the movement of teeth during orthodontic treatment. As such, orthodontic treatment for adult and elderly patients – while certainly possible – presents its own unique challenge in ensuring optimal outcomes.
Why Do Some People Postpone Treatment Until Their Senior Years?
People may delay exploring orthodontic care for a variety of reasons, all of them valid.
- Treatment cost can be a deterrent
- Quality orthodontic care can be inaccessible, particularly in location-based scenarios
- Individuals may not be aware that they have an oral health problem that warrants correction with orthodontics until well into adulthood.
Some elderly orthodontic patients may have underwent treatment when they were younger, and their treatment results lapsed as they aged. Once again, a variety of factors can be at play here. As we stated earlier, your teeth move naturally as you age.
Other patients may have sustained a significant mouth or jaw injury. Some are negligent in maintaining a thorough oral healthcare routine through their adulthood.
Koch Orthodontics Treats Patients of Any Age!
Koch Orthodontics is committed to a welcoming environment and maintaining an effective variety of treatments to help patients of all ages – including senior citizens – achieve an aesthetically pleasing smile and a healthy bite. We foster a friendly “team” atmosphere in helping you achieve your treatment goals, with convenient, no-interest financing plans to fit your budget.
Some contemporary orthodontic appliances are designed to expedite the treatment process, including discreet, removable Invisalign aligners that many people – even seniors – prove to be candidates for upon the completion of the free initial consultation.
A Very Quick Word About Gum Disease
Significant inflammation of the gums, bleeding gum tissue, large amounts of plaque and tartar, and any loss of alveolar bone are signs of periodontitis, more commonly known as gum disease. There are significant numbers of elderly adults who suffer some form of gum disease, so much so that studies committed to understanding larger factors at play have been conducted.
Ideally, periodontitis will be addressed before the patient starts orthodontic treatment. While placement of orthodontic appliances or wearing orthodontic aligners in and of itself does not cause gum disease, periodontitis complicates the extra attention to brushing and flossing required for orthodontic treatment. As frequently as possibly, we’d like to start treatment with a “clean slate” and a healthy mouth.
Get in Touch with us for a Free Consultation
Regardless of your age – your journey to the fabulous, functioning smile and bite YOU deserve starts with a free consultation. No referral from a general dentist is necessary. A comprehensive examination will yield if you’re a candidate for treatment and if so, what kind.
Koch Orthodontics is proud and privileged to treat orthodontic cases in a variety of age groups. We stand by the quality of our results and are confident you’ll discover quickly why a great smile starts with Koch Orthodontics!
Contact us through our website to set up your appointment, or call 585-243-3174.