
Many movies, books and even restaurants are tagged as child-friendly, but when it comes to Invisalign, the label should read “adult friendly.”
Generations ago, braces were mostly used to treat children, but ever since Invisalign clear aligners were FDA approved in 1998 and introduced to the public in 1999, more adults are seeking treatment to straighten their teeth.
In our practice, we have noticed a predominance of adult treatment over the past decade, with patients 25 years old and up now accounting for more than half of our exams. This is a direct correlation to the increased popularity of Invisalign.
When the manufacturer first introduced this new way to move teeth, it was marketed to adults who wanted to straighten their teeth but did not want to wear braces because they were concerned about the aesthetics. With clear aligners, we can address the same types of movements needed to straighten teeth with plastic rather than metal and wires.
Adults have been coming to our practice specifically for Invisalign therapy. These include both those who never sought out orthodontic care as children, as well as those who did but now need an adjustment because their teeth have shifted from not wearing their retainers, or they just want to further improve their smile.
By treating more adults, our practice went from predominately teenagers—like most other orthodontic practices—to more than 65 percent adults.
With Invisalign, we can successfully treat both teens and adults. I have treated children as young as seven years old all the way up to senior adults.
Invisalign is perfect for all ages.