We bust the myth that braces are for kids. Discover how aligners can reverse aging in the face, improve gum health, and why 40% of our patients are over 40.
There is a misconception that once you hit 40, your teeth are set in stone. In reality, healthy teeth can be moved at age 90. At ProAligners, our fastest-growing demographic is the 40-65 age group.
Why now? Often, patients finally have the disposable income to treat themselves after years of prioritizing kids or careers. Or, they notice their teeth shifting due to natural aging.
The "Anti-Aging" Effect of Straight Teeth
As we age, our lips lose collagen and thin out. Our teeth also wear down and tip inwards, making the smile look narrower and darker.
Aligners can act like a non-surgical facelift:
- Broadening the Arch: By widening the smile, we provide more support for the cheeks and lips, reducing the appearance of nasolabial folds (smile lines).
- Restoring Vertical Height: If you have ground your teeth down (deep bite), aligners can open the bite, elongating the lower third of the face.
Gum Health and Bone Density
The main concern for older patients is Periodontal Health (gum disease). You cannot move teeth if you have active gum disease.
However, crowded teeth cause gum disease because you can't clean them. Straightening your teeth is actually one of the best things you can do to preserve them for old age. Aligned teeth are cleansable teeth.
Dr Yasha Shirazi's Advice:
"I treated a 72-year-old lady last year. She said she'd waited her whole life to smile in photos. The biology is a little slower in adults—we might change trays every 14 days instead of 7—but the result is just as stable. It is never too late."
Specific Considerations for Adults
- Black Triangles: Adults have receded gums compared to teenagers. When we untwist crowded teeth, you might see small triangular gaps near the gumline. We manage this with IPR (polishing) to flatten contact points and close the gaps.
- Existing Crowns/Veneers: Yes, we can move teeth with crowns! We just use special adhesives for the attachments.
- Implants: Implants cannot move. They are fused to the bone. We plan the aligner treatment around them, using the implant as a solid anchor.
Written by Pro Aligners Team
Medically reviewed by Dr Yasha Shirazi • GDC: 195843