Invisalign for Adults: Why More Patients Over 40 Are Starting Treatment

There once was a time when orthodontics was synonymous with kids and traditional braces. Today, if you step into the reception area of the average orthodontic practice, chances are you’ll see lots of adults, and they aren’t accompanying their children.

Thirty percent of all orthodontic patients are adults, according to the American Association of Orthodontists. So, what’s behind the growing surge of patients seeking orthodontic treatment? Think comfort, convenience, and discretion, says Ginger Rome, DDS, Maurina Brooks, DDS, and the team at The Dentists at North Cypress in Houston, Texas. When it comes to those qualities, Invisalign® checks all the boxes.

The mechanics of orthodontics are not age-limited

Orthodontics is all about using an oral appliance to address bite and alignment issues, as well as crowding. The goal is to move teeth gently — a process called ossification. Two specialized bone cells enable the transformation.

An osteoclast breaks down old bone where teeth are moving from, and osteoblasts create new bone in the new optimal location where teeth are moving to. The good news is that effective tooth movement depends on a few key factors: healthy gums, a strong jawbone, and permanent healthy teeth.

Whether you are 7, 17, or 70, it’s never too late to get that smile you’ve always dreamed about.

Invisalign’s secret 

If you or a friend has ever researched adult orthodontics, you quickly learn that there are many options to choose from. So, what makes Invisalign popular? For many patients, it comes down to discretion, comfort, convenience, and time.

Invisalign is the leading and best-known company in the clear aligner industry. Since it hit the market in 1999, Invisalign has helped transform the smiles of more than 20 million patients.

Invisalign trays consist of a proprietary material called SmartTrack™, which is super clear, BPA-free, and offers elasticity. For the patient, these benefits offer complete discretion, comfort, and convenience – all qualities that a busy adult can appreciate. 

Once you finally decide to transform your smile, the last thing you need is to announce your decision with awkward, uncomfortable braces that require multiple orthodontic visits.

How does Invisalign work?

Invisalign ditches the uncomfortable wires and brackets that traditional braces rely on, instead using a series of custom-made clear trays that gently move teeth into position.

The process begins at your initial appointment when The Dentists at North Cypress team performs a dental exam and professional cleaning, followed by conducting digital impressions of your mouth and teeth. Next, your provider uploads the impressions into Invisalign’s proprietary software to map out your personalized treatment plan. A dental lab uses the data and plan to fabricate your Invisalign trays.

The plan describes how many series of aligner trays are required and how often you need to switch to the next series. Depending on your treatment plan, you receive a new set of aligners every one to three weeks. Each set of aligners focuses on different teeth, moving them gradually and comfortably.

You wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day throughout your treatment. Unlike permanently fixed oral appliances like braces, you can remove your aligner trays when you eat or drink, and no tightening appointments are required. Instead, the team monitors your progress through periodic routine check-ins.

Even more attractive to adult patients is that the typical Invisalign treatment plan takes less time to complete than other orthodontic treatment options. When you follow your provider’s instructions, you can capture the smile you’ve always wanted.

If you want to know if Invisalign is right for you, contact The Dentists at North Cypress for an evaluation. Call or use our online booking feature today to schedule an appointment and let us help you achieve your best smile.