Is It Too Late for Invisalign? Adult Clear Aligners in Stafford, VA

If you skipped braces as a kid, or wore them and watched your teeth drift back, you may be wondering whether straightening your teeth is still an option. It is. Being older doesn't rule out orthodontic treatment, and plenty of adults choose Invisalign clear aligners because they're hard to notice and they come out when you eat. Here's what Dr. Daniel Dafo tells adults who ask us about Invisalign in Stafford, VA: who it suits, how it compares to braces, and what wearing aligners is really like.

Am I too old for Invisalign?

No. There's no upper age limit for straightening teeth, and the American Association of Orthodontists says being older does not prevent you from getting orthodontic treatment. What matters more than your age is the health of your teeth and gums today.

That's why we start with a real look at your mouth. At your first visit, you can expect a full exam, X-rays and time to talk with Dr. Dafo about what you want. He calls his style "show and tell" dentistry: he explains what he sees in plain terms so you can make the decision that's right for you, with no pressure either way.

Is Invisalign only about how my smile looks?

No. A straighter smile is the part everyone notices, but Dr. Dafo is quick to point out the health side. As he puts it, "it's not only cosmetic."

When teeth are crowded or the bite is off, he explains, chewing force isn't spread evenly. One or two teeth end up taking most of the pressure, and over time that stress can show up as a cracked tooth or gums pulling back at the gum line. The AAO notes that misaligned teeth make cleaning harder, which can increase plaque buildup, and can cause uneven wear on the enamel. Straightening the teeth makes it easier to brush and floss between them and helps the bite share the load.

Dr. Dafo also sees a lot of patients who wear a night guard to protect teeth that grind or clench. A night guard is a good thing, he says, but it protects the teeth rather than fixing how they line up. For some patients, aligning the teeth is the longer term answer.

Should I get braces or Invisalign as an adult?

For most adults who come to us, Dr. Dafo recommends Invisalign, and our office no longer offers traditional braces. When braces are the better fit, or a patient's insurance will only cover braces, he refers them to an orthodontist he works with. Here's how he explains the difference to patients:

• How the teeth move: Invisalign trays are computer designed, so he can move one tooth in one direction and a neighboring tooth in another direction at the same time. With braces, teeth are usually moved in one direction at a time. He finds that this planning often lets treatment move along faster than braces would.
• Fewer surprise visits: with braces, a loose bracket or a poking wire means an extra trip to the office. With aligners, if a small attachment comes off, it can usually wait until your next visit.
• Eating: aligners come out when you eat, so you don't have a list of foods to avoid the way you would with brackets and wires.
• How they look: aligners are clear plastic trays, which is why many adults who never wanted metal braces at work are comfortable wearing them.

Clear aligners aren't right for every case, and the AAO's guide to aligners says the choice between aligners, braces or a mix of both depends on the person. That's a decision we make with you after the exam, not before.

What is it like to wear clear aligners every day?

You wear your trays most of the day and night and take them out to eat, drink and clean your teeth. The AAO says aligners should be worn at least 22 hours a day, so the habit that matters most is putting them right back in after meals. Dr. Dafo told us new trays can be picked up at the office or shipped to you.

Because each tray moves your teeth only a little, progress can feel slow from week to week. When a patient feels stuck, Dr. Dafo pulls up the plan on the computer and shows them where they started, where they are now and where they're heading. Seeing that picture usually makes the small changes add up.

Good home care matters even more while you're straightening your teeth. Dr. Dafo calls hygiene the foundation of any investment in your smile and compares it to a brand new car: if you never change the oil, it will break down. Keep brushing, flossing and coming in for your regular cleanings so your teeth are healthy when the trays come off. The ADA's MouthHealthy also notes that healthy teeth can be orthodontically treated at any age, as long as you keep up a good oral hygiene routine.

Why do Stafford patients choose Namu Dental Care for Invisalign?

Dr. Dafo only uses the Invisalign brand, and he plans every case as a comprehensive treatment rather than a shortened one. "I don't personally do the express one," he told us. A comprehensive plan gives room to refine along the way, so if your teeth need a correction partway through, or you get a new crown or have a tooth removed, the plan can be adjusted instead of starting from scratch.

He's also seen aligners close gaps between front teeth and straighten arrangements patients assumed couldn't be fixed. In his words, "The plastic does the magic." And he never pushes. "I like to just leave the decision to them," Dr. Dafo says of treatment choices, and that goes for Invisalign too.

If cost is on your mind, we offer financing through CareCredit and Cherry for larger treatments like Invisalign. You can read more about our financing options for Invisalign and other larger treatments, and our team will walk you through them at your visit.

Ready to find out whether Invisalign is a good fit for you? Call our Stafford dental office at 540-288-9212 or request an appointment online, and Dr. Dafo will take the time to answer every question you bring.

Published by Namu Dental Care.