Debunking Common Myths About Orthodontic Treatment

As a result, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions circulating in the dental sector. You might think you know everything there is to know about orthodontics, but you might be holding on to common myths.

In this guide, we’re breaking down some of the most common myths we hear from patients and setting the record straight. With this newfound information in mind, you might discover that you could be a candidate for orthodontics, despite believing you were ineligible until now.

Myth #1 – Orthodontics is only for children and teens

Perhaps the most common myth we hear from patients is the belief that only children and teens can benefit from orthodontics. Many adults are choosing to get braces later in life, and there really isn’t an upper age limit when it comes to orthodontic treatment.

Provided your teeth are healthy enough to withstand the treatment, you could enjoy a straighter and perfectly aligned smile at any point in your life. It’s often a barrier to treatment for adults, as they will worry about how they will look with braces. With modern treatment options like clear and tooth-coloured braces, this will quickly become less of a concern.

Myth #2 – Adult orthodontics will only work if you DIDN’T have braces as a teenager

Another common myth is believing you only get one chance at straightening your teeth in your life. So, if you had braces as a teenager, you can never wear braces again. This simply isn't the case. Your suitability for braces will depend on a number of factors, but whether or not you’ve had orthodontics in the past isn’t one of them.

Myth #3 – Adult orthodontics will only work if you had braces as a teenager

Another myth we hear from patients is that they don’t think they can have braces because they didn’t have them as a teenager. This comes from the belief that your teeth are too firmly established, so if you’ve never had orthodontic treatment before, it won’t be effective as you get older.

The reality is that orthodontic treatment might take a little longer for adults than it does for teens, but the problems we are correcting are often much less severe. Very severe alignment issues are often caught when children are younger, so if your teeth have fallen out of alignment as an adult, it’s likely to be a less severe case.

Myth #4 – Invisalign is only for simple orthodontic cases

When it comes to choosing orthodontic systems, we often hear patients rule out certain options because they believe they aren’t a good candidate. Invisalign is fast becoming the most popular choice for orthodontics, but patients often wrongly assume they can’t wear clear and removable aligners.

This is often down to the misplaced belief that Invisalign is only suited to very simple alignment issues. Invisalign is actually suitable for a wide range of cases, including more complex alignment problems and issues with your bite. So, don’t rule yourself out of any orthodontic treatment until you’ve spoken to your dentist first.

Myth #5 – Orthodontics will take years

It’s true that orthodontics to address the alignment of all teeth on the top and bottom arches can take up to 24 months, but this isn’t the only option available. If time is an issue for you, there are faster treatment options that can drastically reduce the time you’ll have to wear braces.

For example, you could choose a faster treatment that only treats the alignment for the top front teeth that are visible when you smile. By choosing a treatment like this, you can reduce the overall time it takes to get a straighter smile.

Another option would be to choose an alignment system that is less visible, so you aren’t as concerned with your braces being visible during treatment. Invisalign is a great option for achieving straighter teeth without having to worry about your appearance during the treatment plan.

Myth #6 – Orthodontics is really painful

When you understand how orthodontics works, it's easier to understand that a little bit of discomfort is to be expected. But we wouldn’t describe braces as being painful. The most uncomfortable time for wearing braces is the time immediately after an adjustment (for fixed braces) or after switching to the next aligner in your case (for Invisalign).

You’ll be more aware of your braces during this time as the pressure on your teeth will increase slightly. This pressure is essential to gently move your teeth into the correct alignment.

You might also experience some discomfort when you first start wearing braces as your tongue, cheeks and gums get used to the extra apparatus in your mouth. All of this discomfort can be managed with over the counter pain medication and by speaking to your dentist about how to make your aligners better fitted.

Final thoughts on orthodontic myths

As you can see, there are a lot of myths circulating that you might have been guilty of believing. When we dispel these myths, it becomes easier to make a decision about your suitability for orthodontics. If you’re thinking about straightening your teeth at any stage in your life, get in touch with our team today to learn more.