While proper oral care is important for people of all ages, it is especially important to maintain a healthy smile in our later years. Though problems like dental crowding and overbites affect people of every age, adults over 60 are particularly susceptible to oral health problems.
As we age, our bodies go through changes. Our bones gradually become smaller and weaker, our muscles naturally lose strength and flexibility, and our gums tend to recede, pulling back from our teeth. All of these factors can have a negative impact on our oral health as well as how our smiles look and function.
For example, gum recession and more porous bones can cause mildly crooked teeth to shift even further with time. If you are someone who has had crooked teeth their whole life, you may have noticed this trend in your own smile. If you have a crossbite or other bite issue, you may also have seen it growing worse with age.
Poor tooth alignment isn’t merely a cosmetic issue. Severe alignment issues can create a number of health problems, including:
- Complicated oral care routines (e.g., less effective brushing, more difficult flossing, etc.)
- Decreased oral function
- Bone loss
- Tooth enamel erosion
- Chronic headaches
- Jaw pain
At Beverly Hills Orthodontics, we want all of our patients to be as healthy as possible and love the way they look. That’s why we offer a range of orthodontic treatments for older adult patients—including Invisalign.
Chances are that you’ve been hearing about Invisalign for years. As the world’s #1 clear aligner program, millions of people have benefited from Invisalign’s comfortable and convenient treatment approach.
If you have been considering Invisalign for yourself, you’ve come to the right place. Below, we explore all the different Invisalign pros and cons for older adults (over 55) to help non-traditional patients make the best decision for their health.
Invisalign Pros and Cons for Older Adults: The Advantages of Clear Aligner Treatment
First, it’s important to note that Invisalign is just as effective for mature adults as it is for young people and teens. More than 13.4 million people across the globe have used Invisalign to improve their smiles, with no exceptions for age. In fact, Invisalign—like other orthodontic treatments—offers some excellent benefits for gum and bone health.
Orthodontic care provides patients with numerous health benefits. Both Invisalign and braces strengthen your jaw bone and improve gum health. As with every other bone, your jawbone also weakens over time and your gums tend to recede. Orthodontic work stimulates the jaw and makes brushing/flossing more effective, helping older patients maintain healthier teeth.
Invisalign in particular is an excellent choice for health-conscious orthodontic patients. Invisalign aligners are completely removable, which means that patients can take them out whenever they need to brush or floss. While oral care is possible with braces, it is more time-consuming and difficult to perform, especially if you suffer from poor eyesight or arthritis—both common “features” as we age.
Beyond the health benefits, Invisalign offers many other advantages as well. Invisalign treatments require minimal visits to an orthodontist’s office, whereas braces need to be adjusted periodically. Invisalign treatment sets contain approximately 20 aligners. Patients wear one set of aligners for a week or two before moving on to the next pair, so treatment doesn’t require additional orthodontic appointments or other supervision.
Because Invisalign aligners are completely clear, easily removable, and custom-made to fit patients’ mouths, treatment is:
- Physically comfortable
- Free of dietary restrictions
- Cosmetically discreet
See the chart below for a quick summary of Invisalign’s benefits:
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Invisalign Pros and Cons for Older Adults: Disadvantages of Clear Aligner Treatment
Although there is a lot to love about Invisalign, it isn’t perfect for everyone.
For ideal results, patients must wear their Invisalign aligners for around 22 hours every day. This offers enough time to remove aligners for meals, oral care, and physical activity, but not much time beyond that. If you think you may be tempted to leave your aligners out for longer than that (or misplace them), braces may be a better option for you.
Braces are also better suited for correcting severe alignment problems. Although BHO’s founder, Dr. Monica Madan, does create hybrid treatment plans to correct severe issues with Invisalign and additional appliances/procedures, braces offer a simpler treatment route.
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Have More Questions About Invisalign? Call Beverly Hills Orthodontics Today
If you’re an adult over 55 and ready to improve your smile, Invisalign could be the perfect fit for you. Convenient, attractive, and comfortable, Invisalign is an easy way to improve the look of your smile and boost your overall oral health.
Of course, Invisalign isn’t ideal for everyone. To meet the needs of all our patients, Beverly Hills Orthodontics offers traditional braces along with Invisalign services. If you would like to discuss your options with one of our team members, schedule an appointment at one of BHO’s four locations in Beverly Hills/Century City, Toluca Lake, Alhambra, or Downtown Los Angeles today!
