Braces, aligners aren’t just for kids

Local orthodontists we spoke with said their O

number of adult patients has increased signifi cantly in the last 10 to 15 years

By ANNETTE JOYCE

When I was growing up, wearing braces wasn’t nearly as common as it is today. In fact, only a handful of my friends wore them. Even though my bottom teeth were extremely crowded and crooked, I don’t remember being too self-conscious about them because most everyone else’s teeth looked pretty much the same.

I didn’t consider doing something about my teeth until I graduated from college and had a job that offered dental insurance which covered the cost of braces. With the financial part of the remedy largely covered, my journey to correct my teeth began.

That journey came to a screeching halt, however, when the various orthodontists I spoke with began explaining their treatment plans, which involved extracting several teeth and enduring skin grafts.

At that time, the only option for straightening my remaining teeth were metal braces with wires that broke and poked the inside of your mouth and gums. I decided I’d keep my teeth just they way they were.

That was decades ago, and the field of orthodontics has since made significant advancements – so much so that more and more adults are finding their way to an orthodontist. In fact, according to the American Association of Orthodontists, “one orthodontic patient in five is an adult.”

Local orthodontists we spoke with said those statistics are likely even higher in northwest and northern Guilford County. Dr. Matt Olmsted, owner of Olmsted Orthodontics in Oak Ridge, estimates that 35% of his patients are adults.

Dr. Mark Reynolds, who owns and operates two Reynolds Orthodontics locations – one in Summerfield and another in Greensboro – said he has seen as much as a 300% increase in his practice’s number of adult patients over the last two decades.

“When I started 20 years ago, it was probably 10%,” he said. “Now, it’s about 40%.”

When we asked why so many adults undergo orthodontic treatment later in life, we were told the answers vary depending upon the patients.

According to Olmsted, some adults needed braces as a kid, but they were cost prohibitive for their families.

“They eventually decide to do it for themselves – sometimes to mark a significant milestone such as an anniversary or a job promotion,” he said.

Then there are those adults who wore braces as kids and their teeth straightened, but unfortunately, they didn’t adhere to the orthodontist’s emphasis on faithfully wearing a retainer.

Others learned the misalignment of their teeth could lead to other health issues and possibly even the loss of teeth.

Amanda Warren has seen firsthand the impact that orthodontic treatment – or the lack of it – can make. The Kernersville resident works as a dental assistant for Morse &

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Clear aligners such as those shown above left have become a popular option for orthodontic patients, especially adults, because they are less noticeable than traditional metal braces – but they can also extend the treatment time and be more expensive. Plus, in more complicated or severe cases of misalignment, traditional metal braces may be the only eff ective option. Thanks to recent advancements in orthodontics, metal braces now come in various styles that are more attractive, aff ordable and eff ective.

Doyle DDS in Kernersville.

“I see the results of not having proper bite alignment and clenching and grinding your teeth,” she said. “I wanted to avoid having fullmouth reconstruction.”

Warren decided to get orthodontic treatment to correct a deep overbite and several misalignments of her teeth.

“It was causing wear on my teeth in odd areas, which could have impacted me in the future,” she said.

Reynolds often sees these “functional” issues in his adult patients.

“A lot of people have grown up with crooked teeth, but they weren’t bothered by them aesthetically,” he said. “Later, they find out their teeth aren’t aligned properly and seek orthodontic treatment.”

Advancements in technology have made it much more appealing for adults to seek orthodontic treatment at a later point in life.

Invisalign clear aligners were introduced several years ago and are now a popular corrective option for many adults. These removable aligners are much less noticeable and often more comfortable than traditional metal braces.

Olmsted points out that while the majority of his patients do well with Invisalign, these aligners are not the solution for everybody.

“I have patients who needed metal braces due to the complexity of their case,” he said. “Also, there are others who felt that braces are easier and they didn’t want to keep up with the aligners.”

Dental 3D scanners have also had a tremendous impact on both the fields of orthodontics and dentistry.

“My patients really appreciate that they don’t have to deal with those nasty impressions anymore,” Olmsted said. “Now it’s just a matter of running a wand around the teeth.”

In addition to the 3D scanner, Reynolds uses a Cone Beam CT scan which captures a 3D X-ray of everything from the neck up while using only 10% of the radiation of a regular CT scan.

“It shows us how your jaws and teeth fit together and gives us a clearer picture as to what’s going on,” Reynolds said. “We catch a fair number of patients who have undiagnosed sleep apnea.”

While they said they enjoy working with all age groups, Reynolds and Olmsted note there are distinct differences between working with adults versus kids.

“Adults are very motivated and are willing to do what it takes to successfully complete the treatment,” Olmsted said. “Plus, there’s a lot of gratification. Adults are genuinely excited and expressive about everything.”

Reynolds adds that adults typically take better care of their teeth.

“They make the connection that the better they take care of their aligners or braces and the more they follow the rules, the sooner the treatment will end and the better the results,” he said.

I recently learned firsthand about following the rules when I chose to work with an orthodontist and Invisalign aligners – which thankfully did not require extractions or skin grafts. My dental hygiene has improved immensely and I’ve become adamant about making sure my teeth are brushed and flossed.

The pain and discomfort of wearing aligners was almost nonexistent, and I’m extremely happy with the results. I’m also committed to wearing my retainer long-term so that my teeth will stay properly aligned and my new smile will be with me for many years to come.

Summerfield’s Favorite Orthodontists

Years of experience have made Dr. Mark Reynolds one of the top orthodontists in the Triad, and now he welcomes Dr. Robert Stoner to the practice! Together, they create beautiful smiles for children and adults of all ages across Guilford County with traditional braces or Invisalign.

Call today for a free consultation and learn what they can do for your smile!

Call or text: 336-274-7649 6161 Lake Brandt Road (Summerfield) 1304 Beaman Place (Greensboro)