Treatments > Adult Treatment
"A smile is a curve that sets everything straight." ~Phyllis Diller
Adult Treatment
More than 40-percent of Dr. Atoosa Nikaeen’s patients are adults between the ages of 18 and 70. Thanks to new materials and technology, adult braces are far less noticeable, helping you avoid the standard “brace-face” commonly associated with teenagers. Modern braces are more comfortable to wear and, in many cases, require fewer trips to your orthodontist and can decrease the length of treatment.
As a result, braces no longer are the province of children. Adults now make up 20-percent of orthodontic patients. The American Association of Orthodontists estimates one-in-five orthodontic patients are adults, comprising nearly one-million adults in the U.S. and Canada.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
- Will orthodontic treatment provide the same results as with children?
- How do adult treatments differ from those used on children and teenagers?
- Can an orthodontist treat painful jaw muscles and joints?
- My family dentist tells me I need orthodontic treatment before I have missing teeth replaced. Why is that?
- My teeth have been misaligned or crooked fall my life. Why should I now have orthodontic treatment?
Will orthodontic treatment provide the same results for me as for children?
Orthodontic treatment can be performed at nearly every age, often as easily for adults as for children. The force of braces and other orthodontic treatments move teeth in the same way for a senior citizen as a child. However, such complicating factors as a lack of jaw growth in an adult may require special treatment.
How do adult treatments differ from those for children and teenagers?
Because adults have ceased growing, a breakdown or loss of the teeth and bone that support the teeth may require more than braces. Your treatment may require the combined efforts of an orthodontist, oral surgeon, periodontist, endodontist and your family dentist.
The most common problems that require treatment that differs from children include:
- Jaw growth
- Gum or bone loss
- Worn, missing or damaged teeth
JAW GROWTH
Jaw problems experienced by a growing child can more easily be treated with an orthodontic, growth-modifying appliance. The same problem in an adult may require jaw surgery.
For example, a too short lower jaw that doesn’t line-up properly can create a severe bite problem. Braces may not solve this problem as they provide limited movement in an adult.
Bringing teeth into proper alignment may require surgery to lengthen the lower jaw and move the lower teeth forward. Other jaw-width or length incongruities also may require surgery.
GUM OR BONE LOSS
Over time, adults may experience over time the damage or gum loss that supports the teeth. These problems may require coordinated treatment between your family dentist and a periodontist before, during and/or after you receive orthodontic treatment. Unfortunately, loss of bone structure can limit the movement and direction of any correction.
WORN, MISSING OR DAMAGED TEETH
Worn, missing or damaged teeth can create an unattractive smile and cause teeth to function improperly. The wear caused by age can cause your teeth to move improper positions. Missing teeth often cause progressive drifting or tipping of the remaining teeth. This creates problems with the bite and increases the possibility for problems with the gums.
While orthodontic treatment is highly recommended in these cases, treatment may be more difficult and require more time to complete a full correction.
Can an orthodontist treat painful jaw muscles and joints?
Jaw muscle and/or joint discomfort most commonly is associated with “bruxing,” or a habitual grinding of the teeth, usually at night.
This muscle-habit can lead to severe wearing of the teeth and trauma to your jaw’s joint structure. You also may experience chronic and acute pain. Treatment may require the use of a bite splint or night-guard appliance that protects your teeth and helps the jaw muscles relax. This will substantially reduce the pain.
Any structural damage caused by bruxing may require joint surgery and/or restoration of any damaged teeth.
My family dentist says I need orthodontic treatment before I have missing teeth replaced. Why is that?
Many complex tooth restorations, including crowns, bridges and implants, can best be treated when your remaining teeth are in proper alignment and your bite is correct.
Lost permanent teeth may cause your remaining teeth to tip, drift or shift. Such movement can create an improper bite and uneven tooth space. This condition requires replacement of any missing teeth for orthodontic treatments to have the full affect. Any tipped teeth usually require straightening so they can withstand normal biting pressure.
My teeth have been misaligned or crooked all my life. Why should I now have orthodontic treatment?
You may have lived with such orthodontic problems all your life, but why live with them any longer? Treatment will restore proper function that is important to the health of your entire body. Of course, you’ll also enjoy a more attractive smile, which can improve your self esteem.
Please call us at (310) 444-1113 or send an email to schedule your free initial consultation. We serve Southern California including Los Angeles (LA), Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica.
We look forward to hearing from you!
