Things to Consider for Orthodontic Treatment in Middle Age, Yonsei Jeongwon Dental Clinic in Daechi-dong

Middle-age orthodontics, Daechi-dong orthodontic clinic, Yonsei Jeongwon Dental Clinic

Hello, I’m Yoon Jeong-won, the chief director of Yonsei Jeongwon Dental Clinic, an orthodontic clinic in Daechi-dong.

Due to longer average life expectancy, interest in aesthetic orthodontic treatment among middle-aged adults is increasing. In a survey conducted by the Korean Association of Orthodontists on 598 people in their 20s to 70s, the percentage who answered, “I have thought about orthodontic treatment” was 51% in their 30s, 46.2% in their 40s, 45.1% in their 50s, 35.2% in their 60s, and 24% in their 70s. Straight teeth not only create a better impression, but also play an important role in chewing and speech.

Even if the teeth were relatively aligned when younger, many people find their teeth become crooked as they age. This is because, as people enter middle age, along with the aging process, the teeth gradually move forward due to occlusal forces through a physiologic mesial drift, causing originally aligned teeth to become gradually misaligned.

As the lower teeth become misaligned in this process, they push against the upper front teeth. If the alveolar bone supporting the front teeth is weak, the front teeth may flare outward; if the alveolar bone is strong, wear from tooth-to-tooth contact may occur. For this reason, many people wonder whether orthodontic treatment is still appropriate in their 40s or 50s, and in such cases, middle-age orthodontic treatment can be considered.

When the alignment of the teeth is distorted, oral hygiene management such as brushing becomes difficult, which can lead to cavities and periodontal disease. Therefore, to use the teeth in good health for a longer time, it is necessary to improve the alignment and help prevent periodontal disease. With straighter teeth through orthodontic treatment, you can smile with confidence, and because brushing becomes easier and more effective, long-term gum care also becomes better.

Next are before-and-after orthodontic cases and reviews from patients who underwent orthodontic treatment in middle age.

2019.12

The patient above was a 49-year-old woman who visited the clinic with the chief complaint that her lower teeth were becoming more crooked over time. She said that because her lower dentition was gradually becoming misaligned, gum care was not easy. Since there was no facial protrusion, we decided to proceed with non-extraction orthodontic treatment.

2021.2

Over about two years of non-extraction orthodontic treatment, the treatment was completed without major side effects such as significant gingival recession or black triangles. Comparing the smile photos before and after treatment, we could see that after orthodontic treatment, the patient smiled more confidently and broadly.

Smile photos before and after orthodontic treatment

2020.3

The patient above was a 48-year-old woman who had a peg lateralis, meaning the right second front tooth on the left side of the photo was smaller than normal. Because of this, the dental midline was shifted, and the upper and lower teeth showed a deep bite pattern. Due to the misaligned teeth, oral hygiene management was difficult, and there was also a significant amount of tartar on the lower front teeth. Because the crooked lower front teeth were a concern, she first started with partial orthodontic treatment only for the lower teeth. After completing the lower partial treatment, she wanted to improve the upper teeth as well, so the case was carried out as full orthodontic treatment involving the upper teeth too.

2021.8

The treatment was completed with some remaining difference in the dental midline due to the peg lateralis on the right side, but the patient was satisfied with the treatment results.

If you are curious about other middle-age orthodontic topics, please also refer to the article below :)

There is no age limit for orthodontic treatment, and treatment is not impossible or difficult simply because of age. However, if you have gum disease, commonly called pyorrhea, or if you are taking medication for osteoporosis, arthritis, diabetes, or similar conditions, you may need a consultation after discussing it with your primary doctor. In middle-aged and older adults, the gums and jawbone may already be weakened by periodontal disease, so before orthodontic treatment, it is necessary to accurately assess the health of the jawbone and gums. If the gums are stabilized after appropriate gum treatment, orthodontic treatment is possible.

Also, when taking osteoporosis medication, the medication delays bone resorption and helps prevent a decrease in bone density. However, during orthodontic treatment, which moves teeth by using the metabolism of the jawbone, the movement of the teeth may be hindered by osteoporosis medication. Therefore, if you are taking osteoporosis medication, it can be safer to consult your primary doctor and stop taking the medication for about 2 to 3 months before receiving treatment.

Previous image Next image

Because middle-aged adults often remain active socially and professionally, aesthetics can be a major concern during orthodontic treatment. If you are hesitant about treatment for aesthetic reasons, you may want to consider Invisalign orthodontics. Invisalign is a clear aligner made of soft plastic, so it is less noticeable and offers high aesthetics. Since it can be removed and reinserted, it also has the advantage of making oral hygiene management easier.

In middle-age orthodontics, there are factors to consider such as tooth root length, the condition of the jawbone, and systemic diseases. Due to age-related changes, the jawbone continues to decrease, and tooth mobility caused by changes in occlusion may become more pronounced. In severe cases, tooth extraction may be necessary, so precise orthodontic treatment that moves only the target teeth is needed. Therefore, it is advisable to choose an orthodontic clinic with experienced orthodontists on staff and diagnostic equipment that can precisely assess tooth conditions.

At Yonsei Jeongwon Dental Clinic, we have all the latest equipment needed for Invisalign orthodontics, including the iTero Lumina 3D oral scanner, growth plate testing, and pre- and post-treatment simulation using the Morpheus facial scanner, allowing orthodontic treatment to be carried out more precisely and systematically.

Also, during orthodontic treatment, the fees for precise diagnosis and monthly visits are included (excluding the retainer fee), so you do not need to worry about additional costs. In addition, since we also offer general dentistry, all necessary treatments for orthodontics such as extractions and cavity treatment can be done in one place. We also offer installment payment plans to reduce the burden of paying a large amount at once, which makes it even more attractive.

Chief Director Yoon Jeong-won is in charge of orthodontics and has specialized in orthodontics only throughout 16 years of clinical practice, giving her extensive experience with many high-difficulty cases. Therefore, she can effectively treat various orthodontic cases such as malocclusion, protruding mouth, crowding, and underbite.

Those who are considering orthodontic treatment due to protruding teeth, crowding, malocclusion, underbite, and similar concerns may already have gathered a lot of information through online searches. Even so, comparing the different appliances in person and hearing detailed explanations can be very helpful when making a decision.

During a consultation, you can compare various appliances such as Clarity, Clippy C, and Invisalign with your own eyes and hear detailed explanations of their pros and cons, so we encourage you to make a phone inquiry or visit the clinic for a consultation without hesitation.

Yonsei Jeongwon Dental Clinic is not only convenient for parking, but is also close to Samseong Station, Hakyeoul Station, Daechi Station, and Hanti Station, making it very convenient for patients coming from Samseong-dong, Daechi-dong, Gaepo-dong, Irwon-dong, Dogok-dong, Yeoksam-dong, and Jamsil.

Building next to BMW at the Woosung Apartment intersection in Daechi-dong

(Opposite Starbucks / Samsung Store)

Yonsei Jeongwon Dental Clinic, an orthodontic clinic in Daechi-dong, has convenient and free parking

Consultation and inquiries: 02-501-2879