Can Teeth be Straightened at Any Age?

One question that many adults and older people ask when seeking dental treatment is, can teeth be straightened at any age? A simple answer to this question is yes! Adults can have orthodontic treatment to correct the same dental issues that teenagers and young adults might experience. In reality, there is no age limit for straightening teeth.

Adults may need treatment to correct an overbite, teeth crowding or gaps between the teeth. Your Toothfairy dentist will go through treatment options with you, depending on what needs to be done.

Aligners for Older Adults

You may think braces only work on young people, or perhaps you had braces when you were younger but aren’t sure they will help now. Teeth straightening tends to work faster when the jawbones are growing during childhood and adolescence. But teeth continue to shift as we age, so there’s never a time when aligners won’t work.

Toothfairy™ aligners adjust teeth by putting pressure on them, and this pressure works even after bones have stopped growing. It may take longer to straighten teeth in adults because bones are more solid, but still, aligners are still effective at any age.

Clear aligners are removable trays that fit over your teeth, with each tray adjusting your teeth slightly over time. They are clear and hard to see, making them a good option for people who may be self-conscious about wearing traditional braces.

Why Have Your Teeth Straightened at a Later Age?

Having your teeth straightened will make them more aesthetically pleasing, and it will also make them work better too. Teeth straightening treatment will involve wearing removable, clear aligners to help correct issues like overcrowded teeth, or teeth that are crooked. Orthodontic work like this can be performed at any age.

Often, patients will have this form of treatment to correct malocclusion. Put simply, this means your teeth don’t sit together neatly as they are not properly ‘arranged’. Symptoms of malocclusion include:

• Overcrowding – teeth that are too crowded or have too much space between them.
• Poor bite – if your lower and upper teeth don’t meet when you close your jaw.
• Overbite – when your upper teeth cover your lower teeth when your jaw is closed.

Teeth straightening after the age of 50 can improve the positioning of your teeth, making them look and feel better. Overcrowded teeth can often be more difficult to keep clean, so teeth straightening treatment can help reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

How Long Would it Take?

Adult orthodontic treatment can vary in time based on the patient, depending on the severity or scale of the treatment plan. Ultimately, the desired outcome will play a part in your teeth journey and its timescale.

Most Toothfairy™ patients experience straightened teeth in 3-6 months, however, this could take slightly longer for older patients particularly those with more severe teeth issues. Your Toothfairy™ dentist will assess your teeth in the free initial video consultation, and will then be able to give a more specific and accurate timeframe.

Talk to Toothfairy™

If you’d like to straighten your teeth, no matter your age, click here to start the process with a free video consultation with a Toothfairy™ dentist: https://www.toothfairyapp.co.uk/