More older adults are getting braces

GRAFTON,Va (WAVY) - Brace yourselves. Teens aren't the only ones getting orthodontic work; more and more older adults are getting braces. Orthodontist Dr. Jennifer Barton says she has treated orthodontry patients into their 80s with great success.

For years, 72 year old Virginia Dukart didn't want anyone to see her smile.

"I was grinding my teeth at night, and I was pushing my teeth out, and I had big spaces in between," she said.

Her dentist suggested she go to an orthodontist office, typically where teens and tweens are treated.
Virginia wasn't sure she would be comfortable.

"I felt I was too old," she said, "but you're never too old to do anything, that's the old saying, right?"

Dr. Jennifer Barton says she has even treated patients into their 80s with great success.

"Sometimes it takes a little bit longer for them [teeth] to start moving, but once they start moving they move just like anyone else's teeth would," she said.

Standard metal and clear braces are options, but many of her older patients chose the Invisalign method.

"It's a clear tray, and what you do is you snap it onto your teeth," Barton said. "They really don't show up a whole lot. That's why its called Invisalign."

Patients go through a series of these trays during the process of fixing their teeth. Computer technology designs each one to slightly -- but precisely -- move the teeth in line.

"It's not for everyone, but it gives us one more option to show us what will fit into their lifestyle," said Barton.

Avoiding a mouth full of metal made Dukart less self-conscious then, and now.

"My teeth are straight," she said. "I'm not afraid to smile and show them."

Barton says the key to success with the Invisalign is keeping it on for 22 hours a day. Older patients tend to be more compliant with doctors orders.

If you want straight teeth but don't have the discipline, metal braces are probably a better choice, she says.