There’s a general consensus that those who seek orthodontic Manchester treatment are of a younger generation, and even those who choose adult orthodontics are still at a relatively young age. While it’s true that brace systems work particularly well on children the fact is that healthy teeth can be moved at any age. So are you ever too old for braces? Let’s take a closer look…
At our Hulme orthodontics practice we tell patients that most smiles dental Manchester treatments aren’t necessarily about age. Instead the deciding vote often boils down to 3 main factors. These are:
- The current state of your periodontal (dental/gum) health
- The current state of your overall health
- The type of treatment you need
Let’s take a closer look at each in turn…
Periodontal health
Gum disease for example which leads to bone loss is more prevalent in adults than in teenagers and/or young adults. This consideration is important because for effective orthodontics to work, teeth are gently moved within the bone that supports them. If orthodontic treatment is being carried out at the same time as progressive periodontal disease, treatment can aggravate the problem and make it worse. While bone loss isn’t a complete deal breaker when it comes to orthodontic Manchester treatment, it’s essential that any periodontal problems are brought under control before any treatment starts.
Medical conditions
Certain medical conditions too aren’t always conducive to smiles dental Manchester treatments. Problems such as bleeding disorders, uncontrollable diabetes and heart valve disease may be problematic when undergoing any type of orthodontic treatment. In addition certain drugs used for help with conditions such as osteoporosis and arthritis can make tooth movement difficult. Finally lifestyle choices such as smoking can have a tendency to dry out the mouth quickly. While this can be overcome normally, prolonged mouth dryness can make the wearing of braces uncomfortable. Whether you seek Hulme orthodontics or go elsewhere, we strongly recommend that you tell your dentist if you have any medical conditions or indeed smoke, so that they can carry out a proper treatment plan taking into consideration these factors.
Type of problem
Another issue that impacts on orthodontic treatments is the degree and type of the problem. For example, if you have an over or underbite then this could be skeletal related. In a full-grown adult this may require corrective surgery as the problems doesn’t always lie with the teeth alone.
The main point to take from this is that when it comes to a healthy happy smile and straightening teeth in particular, there is no age cut-off point. You could be a healthy 60 year old with no underlying issues, just as you could be a 20 year old with severe gum disease. So if you need further advice on any type of smiles dental Manchester treatment, or any orthodontic Manchester treatment, contact our Hulme orthodontics practice at Church Road Dental and talk to Shi Karim and the team. To book your free consultation call today on 0161 660 1218 and let us help you restore your great looking smile.
