smile blog

“Am I Too Old for Invisalign?”This is a common question our orthodontists get asked all the time at Docbraces. If you’ve always dreamed of a straighter smile but never had braces as a teenager, you may be wondering whether it’s “too late” to straighten your teeth. Here’s the good news: as long as your teeth are healthy, it’s never too late to straighten them! In fact, taking action now can help prevent future oral health problems, including bad breath, bleeding gums, and tooth loss.

The concern: “I’m over the age of 40 and I’m too old for braces.”

The truth: Being 40 years old, or 50, or even 65 with a mouth full of metal braces is hardly appealing. In fact, there’s not much that’s appealing about braces at any age! If you want straighter teeth, you may not even need braces. In fact, Invisalign is a discreet, effective teeth straightening alternative that’s effective for adults of all ages.The Invisalign process is similar for all patients, regardless of age. First, our Elite Invisalign provider will carefully evaluate the gum tissues and bones that support the teeth. This evaluation is done to ensure that the gum tissue and bones are healthy and strong. Adult bones are generally firm and no longer growing. This does not mean you cannot straighten teeth. It only means the straightening process may take a bit longer for an adult than a teenager with similar needs.Our orthodontist will evaluate your dental history, your bite alignment, and your straightening needs. Our treatment planner will then discuss your different treatment options and help you determine the correct plan for your personal needs. Our goal is to help you smile with confidence and ensure your teeth and gums are healthy for years to come.

The concern: “I don’t want to be in treatment for the next three years.”

The truth: It’s pretty rare that older adults require treatment for three years or longer. In fact, many mild or moderate cases can be effectively resolved with just 18 to 24 months of treatment– sometimes even faster. If you had braces as a teenager, for example, but your teeth have slowly moved out of alignment over the years, your treatment needs may be even less. Many patients will start to see noticeable differences to their alignment in as little as 10 weeks.The amount of time it takes to straighten your teeth will depend on the complexity of crowding and your bite correction needs. Rest assured that our treatment team will work with you to find an efficient timeline that gets the job done correctly.

Affordable Invisalign for All Ages

There is no upper age limit for Invisalign. We’ve treated patients well into their 70s, proudly helping them realize a life-long dream of a straight, confident smile. One of the added benefits of choosing Docbraces is that we work with patients of all ages to help them afford their treatment. We offer interest-free payment plans with no credit check requirements. Our payment specialists will directly bill your insurance provider. Our policy is to take the cost of treatment “off the top” and work with insurance providers directly, so you never have to deal with the hassle of submitting claim forms and obtaining reimbursements.Curious about the benefits of Invisalign for older adults? Download our FREE Guide Invisalign for Baby Boomers: The Discreet Way to Finally Get a Healthy Smile