Whether they like it or not, being photographed on a regular basis is a fact of life for most celebrities. Photos of these famous faces can often lead to speculation about if the face in question has had any assistance to maintain its looks. Sometimes speculation isn't needed, because the assistance is obvious, and all it takes to reveal it is a smile. In 2002, Academy Award-winner Faye Dunaway was photographed at the Cannes Film Festival wearing dental braces — at the age of 61. Ms Dunaway was demonstrating something that any orthodontist will tell you — you're really never too old for braces.
Not Just for the Young
Braces are often seen as the exclusive domain of the young, and this form of orthodontic treatment will typically start between the ages of 8 and 14. Because braces are more commonly seen in young people, this can lead to the misconception that the treatment will only be effective at an early age, but this really isn't the case at all. But what might lead an older person to seek braces?
Better Late Than Never
Orthodontic treatment is intended to address a variety of dental issues, ranging from malocclusion (where the upper and lower bite doesn't align) to excessively spaced teeth, teeth that are crooked, and jaws that are overcrowded. Just because treatment would have been beneficial at an early age, it doesn't mean that this treatment automatically took place. These dental problems can have a cumulative effect on someone's health. There's the fact that teeth with certain configuration issues are harder to care for, and there's also the possibility of temporomandibular joint dysfunction, which affects the muscles and tendons in the jaw, and can lead to chronic discomfort. There comes a point when an older person might think that it's better late than never when it comes to braces.
Possible Restrictions
Older people might have to deal with a key restriction when it comes to their suitability for dental braces, and that's the fact that a person's teeth and gums must be healthy in order for braces to be effective. Teeth can deteriorate with age, although this is largely dependent on your level of dental care throughout your life. Decay and periodontal disease can be corrected, and this must happen before your braces can be fitted. You might require dental restoration such as dental bonding or even dental crowns to prepare your teeth for braces, but it's different for everyone.
Older people might have simply learned to accept their dental shortcomings, but they really don't have to. No matter how old you might be, provided your teeth and gums are at an acceptable level of health, you can still benefit from braces. Visit an orthodontal clinic, such as Reed & Sahlaney Orthodontics, LLP, to find out if braces are right for you.
Share
