Most people think Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment only for teens or young adults who want straighter teeth without going through the process of traditional metal braces.
In this post, we try to show you that Invisalign is not only an effective way for those people but also for older adults. We’ll walk through the pros and cons of Invisalign for adults over 50 plus other information that may help those older people who want to have a beautiful, straighter smile.
Invisalign Pros and Cons for Older Adults
Undoubtedly, one of the most effective solutions to address mild to moderate dental problems is Invisalign. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of this method:
Pros of Invisalign for adults over 50
Clear and Nearly Invisible– one of the greatest advantages of Invisalign for adults is its transparency, making it difficult for others to notice. In fact, Invisalign uses clear, transparent trays that fit snugly over the teeth, allowing adults to feel more confident in public or at work.
Easy to Remove– Another benefit of Invisalign for adults over 50 is its removable feature. It means you no longer have to distance yourself away from the foods you like or stick to certain diets that suit your braces. Moreover, you can take it off for special occasions, like when you have an important meeting. But please notice this delicate point if you want a beautiful result, you’ll need to commit to wearing them for a specific period of time- ideally 20 to 22 hours per day.
Incredible Effectiveness– when it comes to Invisalign for adults over 50, the common question that is frequently asked us is: “Is Invisalign an effective solution for my problem?” The answer is a big yes. Invisalign can effectively treat mild to moderate dental issues, regardless of your age. It means that if you have a slight overbite, some crooked teeth, or other dental problems, Invisalign might be a good option.
No Age Limit– The other common question is: “How old is considered too old for Invisalign for adults?” to answer this question, if your bone density is acceptable, there is no upper age limit to undergo the Invisalign process, meaning Invisalign at 70 years old can be the effective treatment as Invisalign for early age. In other words, anyone between the age of 8 to 88, or even older, can benefit from the advantages of Invisalign.
The cons of Invisalign for adults over 50
Here are the drawbacks of Invisalign for adults:
Necessitate a substantial degree of commitment
If you want a beautiful result, you must commit to your treatment and wear your aligners for 20-22 hours per day. Our busy life may cause us to forget to wear aligners, but not wearing trays for recommended time means slowing down the treatment process.
Therefore, the ability to remove the aligners is a double-edged sword, while it provides you with some level of flexibility in your diet, it can also extend the duration of your treatment.
In addition, you have to take off your trays when eating or drinking (except water), because if you don’t, you’ll certainly damage your trays, meaning additional cost.
Requires additional oral hygiene
Another disadvantage of Invisalign for adults over 50 is to commit additional oral hygiene over what you’re normally expected. It means being extra mindful of your oral health and Invisalign aligners.
As mentioned above, after each meal, you’ll need to take off your Invisalign. Before putting the trays back in, you’ll need to brush and floss your teeth carefully. Immediately putting the trays back in may cause increased rapid tooth decay or other gum disease due to trapping foods or other debris under the trays.
Also, you must carefully care of your Invisalign aligners. To do so, follow these steps:
- Rinse your trays with water
- Gently brush your Invisalign trays using a toothbrush and then rinse off your trays again
Other recommendations:
- Soak your trays in a denture cleaner for a short time
- Don’t forget to clean your trays every day.
Limitation
Although age can’t be a factor to determine whether you’re suitable for the treatment, your overall health condition and the level of your dental alignment will be the final verdict.
Please do notice that undergoing any orthodontic treatment, whether braces or Invisalign, requires healthy teeth and gums. Therefore, if you have mild tooth decay or gum disease, you’ll first need to address the issues before undergoing the procedure. If you have more severe oral health issues, such as periodontal disease leading to tooth loss, you may not be eligible for the treatment.
Moreover, Invisalign can’t solve severe dental problems, such as:
- Sever crooked teeth
- Sever overbite, underbite, or crossbite
- Large teeth gaps
Note: In orthodontics, we have a method called “hybrid” treatment. This method involves using other orthodontic tools to start addressing severe dental problems, once the problem is mostly resolved, your orthodontist may decide to switch you to Invisalign trays. However, sometimes, Invisalign may not be a perfect option to address your own specific problem.
FAQ
Does Invisalign work faster on older people?
Based on the published article in Healthline magazine, the rate of tooth movement can increase slightly from ages 35 to 50, meaning Invisalign for adults may be a more effective solution for this age.
However, other study shows that tooth movement in women between the age of 50 to 70 don’t decline in the same way as it did for men. Another study on 123Dentist suggests that if you wait to get older for Invisalign, you may need to wear trays longer than a younger person would. However, this isn’t a universal rule and if you get regular checkups and your teeth and gum are healthy, you may get your trays off as quickly as a younger person.
Lastly, please note that everyone’s condition is unique and the effectiveness of Invisalign treatment can vary, depending on individual factors. Your orthodontist is the only one who can determine the best course of action for your specific needs.
What’s the oldest age to get Invisalign?
As mentioned above, there is no upper age limit for Invisalign. If your gum and teeth are healthy, your orthodontist may recommend this type of treatment for you based on your individual case.
Is 60 too old to have teeth straightened?
There’s no age limitation for a straighter smile. It may be easier to achieve desired results at a younger age because bone and teeth are more malleable. However, it’s not a universal rule, and if you have healthy gum and teeth, you can still achieve a straighter, beautiful smile as fast as a younger person.
Bottom Line
If you, your family members, or your loved ones need orthodontic treatment, don’t hesitate and call us right away. Dr. Mir at Yourk Orthodontics will assess your condition and offer a treatment plan that perfectly matches your needs.
