If you’ve hit your “quarter-life crisis” or even moved past the age of 40, when life apparently “begins,” you may have taken stock of various things and decided to take action. One area you may have identified for making a change is your smile. 

If you have crooked, crowded, gappy, protruding, or even misaligned teeth, it can make you self-conscious, especially if you believe the time for fixing these problems was in your teens. 

While it is true that orthodontic treatments often take place during teenage years, is that the only time you can straighten your teeth? 

With convenient treatments like Invisalign, getting the smile you want is easier than ever. But have you left it too late?

Let’s explore some of the reasons why you’re not too old to straighten your teeth with Invisalign. 

Why Does Teeth Straightening Take Place During Teenage Years?

Before addressing why teenagers often have teeth straightening, we should first point out that orthodontic treatments are frequently prescribed to younger children, who can be as young as seven —as well as adults. 

Teenage Years Are a Time Of Change

As a child becomes a teenager, their jaw starts to reach its adult size. This growth coincides with the emergence of any remaining permanent teeth. Their smile is really taking shape. At this age, alignment issues, crooked teeth, crowding, and gaps become more apparent. 

Early Treatment Gives a Better Oral Health Outlook

Orthodontic issues affect more than aesthetics. Along with the appearance of a smile, issues with the position of your teeth can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. They can also lead to uneven tooth wear, difficulty biting and chewing, speech problems, and jaw pain. 

Straightening teeth early helps minimise any complications that could arise from these problems. 

Younger Teens Are Often Less Self Conscious

Although many young people are image-conscious, earlier treatment often impacts confidence less. That said, with modern orthodontics like Invisalign’s clear aligners or hidden lingual braces, teeth straightening has never been so discreet. 

Early Treatment Avoids Big Life Events

Straightening teeth can mean more dental checkups. Completing any treatment before the last years of school, when the major exams take place, reduces its potential impact on a child’s studies. 

Why Is Invisalign Perfect for Adults?

Invisalign ticks many boxes for adults who want straighter teeth, making it the perfect solution. 

Invisalign Makes Adult Teeth Straightening Discreet

One of the biggest reasons adults haven’t traditionally been the typical patients for orthodontic treatments is the look of braces. Before Invisalign was introduced, the most common treatment was metal braces attached to the fronts of your teeth. This type of treatment is visible whenever you smile. 

Invisalign uses clear aligners tailored to fit your teeth. Your aligner will barely be visible, making it perfect if you don’t want your treatment to stand out to anyone. 

You Won’t Have To Change Your Lifestyle With Invisalign

Invisalign aligners are removable. You can take them out to eat, drink, or brush and floss your teeth. You won’t need to avoid eating certain foods because you’re worried any will become trapped in your aligner, and cleaning your teeth won’t become more challenging. 

There Are No Adjustments

Unlike fixed braces, Invisalign aligners don’t need adjusting. Fixed braces are tightened throughout the treatment process to help move teeth further. Invisalign aligners are replaced instead. 

During your treatment, you’ll swap aligners every fortnight. A treatment can include a series of between 12 and 48 or more aligners, each producing microscopic movements. 

Invisalign Aligners Are Comfortable

Every Invisalign aligner is made from SmartTrack, a specially formulated plastic that applies pressure while remaining soft and smooth enough to remain comfortable. It has no sharp edges, and the pressure it produces will be barely noticeable. 

Invisalign aligners are comfortable enough to wear throughout the day without any impact and will not affect you while you sleep. 

You’ll See the Changes In No Time

After wearing your aligners for just a short time, you’ll start to notice the difference. Seeing an unobstructed view of these changes will motivate you to continue your treatment and wear your aligner as instructed. 

What Factors Do We Consider When Treating Adults Using Invisalign?

Although Invisalign has no upper age limit, there are factors to consider before choosing this treatment. We’ll explore your suitability for Invisalign during an initial consultation.

How Far Your Teeth Need To Move

Invisalign can fix mild to moderate orthodontic issues. We’ll take digital scans and examine your teeth and jaws during your consultation. This helps us determine how far your teeth will need to move. 

Sometimes, Invisalign isn’t an option. In these situations, we may recommend lingual braces. This fixed brace system attaches to the backs of your teeth. It’s discreet and highly effective. 

Your General Oral Health

Certain oral health factors can affect your treatment. Jaw bone density can impact outcomes, as can issues like tooth decay and gum disease. During your initial assessment, we’ll identify any potential barriers and discuss any available options. 

Your Commitment to the Treatment Plan

During your initial consultation, we’ll show you an image of how your smile will look if you complete the Invisalign treatment. Your ability to adhere to the treatment plan is crucial to achieving the expected outcomes. 

You’ll need to wear your aligner for at least 22 hours daily. You can take it out whenever you eat, drink, and clean your teeth. There may be other occasions when you need to remove it briefly but remember to put it back in. 

If you don’t wear your aligner almost all the time, your teeth won’t move, and you won’t be able to proceed to the next stage. 

Invisalign In London

It’s never too late to straighten your smile with Invisalign, and clear aligners make the whole process convenient, comfortable and discreet. Contact us today to book your initial consultation and find out whether Invisalign is the right treatment for you.