Is 40 too old for braces?

How braces work

The science of orthodontics relies on putting pressure on the teeth to enable them to shift and change their position. The orthodontist achieves this by attaching mechanical devices, or appliances such as brackets in terms of braces, to the teeth to gently push them in the desired direction. When a tooth is exposed to pressure from one side, its root presses against the underlying bone. Eventually, this force leads to a portion of the bone next to the root to disappear, permitting the tooth to move in the direction it is being pushed. As the tooth migrates, new bone builds up in the space freed on the other side of the root. This prevents the tooth from moving back to its original position. You may need to have one or more teeth removed before you can start orthodontic treatment especially if you are lacking space.

Braces are the most commonly used orthodontic appliance. They are very versatile, they are able to move the teeth in a variety of directions at once and treat many teeth at the same time. These devices rely on the use of brackets attached or bonded to the tooth surfaces. The arrangement of the wires can be customised to apply different pressures to individual teeth. Sometimes elastic bands or springs are attached to the arch wire to guide the teeth in the right direction. Usually, it takes one to two hours to place braces on the teeth. You’ll probably observe discomfort and soreness at the beginning especially during the first few days after getting braces and having adjustments made, but an over-the-counter painkiller, like ibuprofen, can help.

You can have braces at any age

It’s important to note that brace’s treatment is not limited by a patients age; therefore please don’t be put off by certain stereotypes. You can use braces to correct crooked teeth at any age, just so long as your teeth and gums are reasonably strong and healthy. At Whites Dental, our dentists believe that no patient is ever too old to undertake dental care of any kind. In fact, dental care becomes even more fundamental as you age. Teeth naturally shift over time as you lose teeth or enamel starts to wear away, and the arch that is naturally formed by your teeth starts to tilt. This tilting often produces food traps and crowding, and at the same time, the natural cleaning process of your teeth is hindered.

At Whites Dental we have some of London’s leading dentists in London Bridge, who provide braces treatment to patients in Elephant and Castle, London Bridge, Central London and London Waterloo. Our webpage provides information on whether being 40 is too old for braces.