While nearly one in four orthodontic patients are adults in North America, at Gardner Orthodontics, almost half of our patients are adults with a large number between the ages of 50 and 70! This goes to show that orthodontics isn’t just for teenagers and it’s never too late to get a healthy smile you love. While, of course, we do offer braces for adults, Invisalign is by far the most popular treatment option among the grown-ups and our Richmond, VA Invisalign providers can achieve excellent results at any age. If you’re wondering, is it worth it to get Invisalign in my 50s, 60s, 70s or even 80s? The answer is, yes. If you’re unhappy with your smile, here are 10 reasons why you should consider to get Invisalign in your 50s and beyond at Gardner Orthodontics:
1. You’ll Get Great Results With Invisalign for Adults.
As long as the teeth and gums are healthy, Invisalign for seniors and older adults is a viable option. Even if you do have oral health concerns, our Richmond orthodontists Dr. Gardner and Dr. Tang can work with your general dentist or other specialists to help you get to a place where adult orthodontics will be effective and safe.
Invisalign for adults can work just as well as it does for younger patients in many cases. The pressure exerted from clear aligners stimulates a natural process known as bone remodeling where the tissues and bone that support the teeth break down allowing the teeth to move. The bone then reforms locking the teeth in their new places. Bone remodeling occurs in response to the force from clear aligners regardless of your age.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that since your doctor is the one mapping out the treatment and designing the aligners, experience matters. As a Diamond Plus Invisalign provider, we’re among the top 1% of Invisalign providers nationally and internationally. In fact, Dr. Gardner is known for being an Invisalign expert and he gives lectures on the treatment to dentists, students and orthodontists all over the world. Thanks to this high level of expertise, our team is able to address complex cases with clear aligners and help adult patients achieve their dream smiles.
Another thing to consider is that since Invisalign aligners only work if you wear them according to your treatment plan, compliance plays a big role in the success of treatment. Adults, especially older adults, tend to be very responsible about wearing their Invisalign aligners and compliance is never an issue, which further ensures you’ll get outstanding results.
2. Invisalign Treatment is Discreet.
We know a concern that our Richmond adult orthodontics patients have is that they’ll look silly with visible braces on their teeth. Even though today’s metal braces are much smaller and more attractive, most adult patients prefer under-the-radar treatment options and it doesn’t get much more discreet than Invisalign. Invisalign aligners are made from smooth, clear, BPA-free plastic and they’re custom molded to fit snugly over your teeth. They’re virtually invisible and the majority of people won’t even notice you’re wearing them.
3. The Aligners are Comfortable.
One of the key benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are very comfortable. Some of our adult orthodontics patients have actually had braces treatment in the past and they remember the braces from decades ago that were bulky, caused irritation and led to sore teeth. With innovations in treatment planning, the treatments themselves and materials, you won’t experience this same discomfort today, particularly with Invisalign. Dr. Gardner or Dr. Tang will design your aligners based on a virtual, 3D model of your mouth, so you will get a perfect fit. Additionally, the aligners are smooth and don’t have brackets or wires that can cause irritation or cuts to the cheeks, lips or tongue. The aligners also exert a low level of force for improved comfort and less tenderness and sensitivity.
4. Treatment Will Improve Your Oral Health.
Another thing to consider when asking, is Invisalign worth it, are the benefits to your oral health and, in turn, overall health. Invisalign treatment will give you straighter teeth and a more functional bite. Straight teeth are easier to keep clean, which reduces your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. When the teeth are in their ideal places, it also prevents uneven wear of the enamel, wards off jawbone loss, improves the health of your gums, eliminates undue pressure on the jaw joints, which helps with TMJ pain and headaches, and enables you to chew, speak and even breathe properly.
5. Perfecting Your Smile Will Boost your Confidence and Self-Esteem.
Whether you never had the opportunity to straighten your teeth in the past and you’ve just lived with crooked teeth or you experienced a relapse after having treatment in your younger years, feeling self-conscious about your teeth can have a negative impact on all areas of your life. When you’re happy with how your smile looks and you’re not afraid to show it off, you’ll experience a huge boost in confidence. Feeling confident is good for your relationships, career and general wellbeing.
6. Invisalign is Excellent for People Who Have Dental Restorations.
Can you get Invisalign with crowns? Can you get Invisalign with a dental implant? Yes, you can get Invisalign with crowns, bridges, fillings and even dental implants. In fact, Invisalign is often preferred since we won’t have to bond brackets to your crowns or bridges. However, that being said, seeing an orthodontist who is experienced in treating adults with restorative dental work, like Dr. Gardner and Dr. Tang, can be beneficial since it will involve careful treatment planning. For example, a dental bridge will move as one unit so that needs to be accounted for. Our Richmond Invisalign providers use the latest tools and software to manipulate smiles more effectively and efficiently, allowing them to safely use Invisalign with crowns, bridges and implants while still achieving the ideal outcome.
7. Invisalign Treatment is Convenient.
When it comes to Invisalign for adults, another perk is that treatment is convenient. At Gardner Orthodontics, we pride ourselves on making orthodontic treatment work for our patients’ busy lifestyles. We have two convenient locations, on-time appointments, and cutting-edge technology. Plus, Invisalign aligners don’t require adjustments like braces do, so visits are quick and easy. We also offer virtual care where Invisalign patients can check in with us from the comfort of their own home to avoid having to make an unnecessary trip to our office.
As for the aligners themselves, they are removable, so you can take them out for special occasions, as well as to eat and brush and floss your teeth. There will be minimal impact on your lifestyle. In fact, you’ll probably forget you’re even straightening your teeth most of the time.
8. Your Teeth and Gums Will Stay in Top-Notch Shape During Treatment.
Speaking of taking your aligners out to brush and floss your teeth, another of the benefits of Invisalign is that it won’t impact your oral health. Braces consist of brackets and wires that can trap food and plaque and are harder to keep clean. Since you take your aligners out before brushing and flossing, your oral hygiene routine will stay the same and you’ll be able to keep your teeth and gums healthy all throughout your treatment.
9. Invisalign Treatment is a Little Like a Non-Surgical Facelift.
One of the many reasons Invisalign for seniors and older adults has gained in popularity is the fact that straightening your teeth will make you look younger. Invisalign acts almost like a non-surgical facelift. By shifting the teeth into their ideal positions, we widen the smile, which makes the skin around your mouth look tauter and more lifted. Straight teeth and a beautiful smile also give the impression of good health and vitality.
10. The Invisalign Cost May be Less Than You Think.
Some patients worry that the cost to get Invisalign for adults will be higher than it is for younger patients, but that’s not the case. Your Invisalign cost will depend on how complex your case is and, thus, how many aligners you’ll need to meet your goals. When you visit Gardner Orthodontics for a complimentary Invisalign consultation, we’ll take diagnostic records and an orthodontist will examine your bite to determine a diagnosis. This will allow us to give you an accurate Invisalign cost upfront so there are no surprises. Our cost is all-inclusive, which means it covers the entire treatment, as well as retainers at the end and one year of retainer checks.
We also accept most insurance and work directly with Delta Dental. So, does insurance cover Invisalign? If you have dental insurance that covers braces for adults it will also cover Invisalign. We’ll help determine your coverage and, if you have it, maximize your benefits. We’ll even file claims on your behalf. We can work with HSA and FSA accounts as well.
We offer a variety of payment options, including in-office, interest-free financing so that you can break your Invisalign cost up into affordable, monthly payments. Or, if you’d prefer to pay at the start of treatment, we offer a discount for payment in full. At your consultation, our Financial Coordinator will work with you to create an Invisalign financing arrangement that meets your needs.
You have all reasons to get Invisalign in your 50s or older as it will help you look and feel your best and the comfortable, convenient treatment will work for your lifestyle. Our Richmond Invisalign experts have the knowledge and skill to ensure that Invisalign for seniors and older adults is safe, effective, and brings out the best in every patient’s unique smile. To find out if adult Invisalign treatment is right for you, schedule a complimentary in-office consultation or virtual consultation at Gardner Orthodontics today!
