Orthodontics at Every Age: Treatment for Kids, Teens & Adults

Most often, braces and other types of orthodontic treatment are associated with childhood, and while this is often a good time to address orthodontic concerns, your youth is not the only time for orthodontic treatment. At Monarch Valley Dental, our team works with patients of all ages who have issues with crowded teeth, crooked teeth, irregularly gapped teeth, and malocclusion (misaligned jawbones). With several options for treatment, we can help you, no matter how many trips you've taken around the Sun — correct your orthodontic issues for better health, increased comfort, and boosted confidence. 

What Is Orthodontic Treatment?

Orthodontics is a special branch of dentistry that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of anatomical issues concerning the alignment of the teeth and jawbones, bite problems, and the appearance of the smile. Orthodontic treatment addresses problems such as:

• Crooked, misaligned teeth
• Crowded teeth
• Irregularly gapped teeth
• Malocclusion (improper bite alignment)
  
  • Open bite
  • Crossbite
  • Underbite
  • Overbite
• Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD)

Orthodontic treatment can involve a variety of approaches, such as orthodontic appliances like braces, space maintainers, retainers, and clear aligners, in addition to surgical approaches, which are designed to address more severe and complex issues. 

The Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment: Understanding Its Importance

This kind of treatment provides a variety of diverse benefits, including:

• Reduced Risk of Oral Health Problems - Crooked, crowded, or misaligned teeth can increase the risk of several oral health problems, such as tooth decay, cavities, periodontal disease (gum disease), bruxism, excessive wear and tear, and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Correcting these issues will help to improve oral health by reducing the risk of these oral health problems. 
• More Comfortable Smile - Individuals with orthodontic issues typically have poor occlusion. In other words, their teeth don't meet in a comfortable or proper alignment when they bite down or chew. This can result in discomfort and pain. Correcting alignment results in proper occlusion for a more comfortable smile. 
• Improved Oral Function - Proper jawbone alignment and teeth occlusion also improve your overall oral function. Correcting orthodontic issues reduces wear and tear and eliminates pain associated with improper alignment. 
• Aesthetically Pleasing Smile - While addressing functional problems, orthodontic treatment also aims to improve smile balance and symmetry, creating a more aesthetically pleasing smile with more symmetrical facial features. 
• Boosted Confidence - Having a beautiful, healthy, properly aligned smile helps patients feel more confident and smile more freely. 

The Difference Between Teeth-Straightening Treatment for Kids and Adults

The primary difference between teeth-straightening care for children and adults lies in the fact that children's jawbones are still growing and developing, while adults' jawbones have finished growing and have denser bone matter. As a result, treatment for children is often simpler than it is for adults. While alignment issues are still very treatable in adults who have finished growing, achieving the desired results often requires more time and, sometimes, more complex correction techniques.

Understanding Orthodontics at Every Age: Common Treatments and Considerations

At every age, correcting alignment concerns can look a little different and require slightly different considerations.

Orthodontics for Kids

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an early evaluation for all children around age seven. This evaluation includes a physical examination, diagnostic imaging, and a discussion to explain our findings.

At this early age, dentists can assess the child's bone structure and likely growth pattern to identify the earliest signs of developing bite or alignment issues. Early detection enables children to undergo interceptive care designed to prevent problems from worsening—or avoid them altogether when possible. These early-phase treatments can sometimes eliminate the need for future corrective work or at least reduce its complexity and invasiveness.

Examples of early interventions include space maintainers, palate expanders, habit-breaking appliances, removal of baby teeth, and in some cases, braces or clear aligners. 

Orthodontics for Teens

Braces or clear aligners (such as Invisalign) are often recommended between ages 10 and 14. The right approach for your teen depends on their personal preferences and specific dental needs. Many bite alignment issues can be effectively addressed with clear aligner systems, which come with features tailored for teenage patients. These options are often preferred due to their discreet appearance, ease of care, and minimal impact on daily routines.

That said, clear aligners require consistent wear, so they’re best suited for teens who can stick to their treatment plan.

Orthodontics for Adults

More and more adults are choosing to address dental alignment concerns they didn’t correct earlier in life. Thanks to advances in modern dentistry, a wide range of solutions are now available to help straighten teeth, improve bite function, and enhance smile aesthetics.

While many adults are hesitant about the visibility of braces, there are discreet options like clear aligners (Invisalign), ceramic brackets that match tooth color, or braces placed behind the teeth (lingual). These methods can be used to correct everything from minor spacing issues to more complex bite problems.

What Is the Best Age for Braces?

Typically, the ideal time for braces or clear aligners is between ages 10 and 14. While each patient's growth varies, this window of development allows for the most effective and efficient results, as the jaw is still forming. Treating during this time can simplify the process and reduce the likelihood of needing more invasive procedures later on.

Is It Ever Too Late for Teeth Straightening?

There’s no age limit when it comes to improving your smile. As long as your teeth and gums are generally healthy (i.e., free from gum disease and bone loss), you're likely a good candidate. The right option for you—whether braces, aligners, or other corrective procedures—depends on your unique dental concerns, their complexity, and your goals.

‍

What to Expect: The Orthodontic Treatment Process

Every treatment plan begins with a consultation and treatment design. During this appointment, our dentist will take diagnostic images, talk with you about your concerns, and examine your teeth and gums. We will then discuss your treatment goals and options with you. 

The length of your care will vary depending on the complexity and severity of your case and individual treatment needs. On average, orthodontic treatment can range from one to three years. However, some cases can be addressed in as little as six months, while others might need longer than four years to complete. Our dentist can talk with you about your treatment plan to ensure you understand all of the steps involved and the length of time you can expect to be undergoing orthodontic care. 

Cost and Coverage

Most alignment-related procedures are considered medically necessary, especially when they correct bite issues or improve oral function. As such, many insurance plans offer partial coverage. Our team will help you understand your benefits and provide a cost estimate so you can confidently choose a treatment plan that suits your budget and lifestyle. 

Orthodontic Care for Patients of All Ages at Monarch Valley Dental

At any age, braces can help you get a straight smile, a confident smile, and a healthy smile!

If you or your child has uncorrected alignment issues, we encourage you to consult with our dentist at Monarch Valley Dental to discuss your treatment options. Correcting your orthodontic problems can help to improve your overall oral and general health while boosting your confidence. 

To learn more about your orthodontic options and the process for addressing and correcting your individual concerns, we welcome you to contact our dental office in St. Louis to request an appointment today.