Posted on: 01 May, 2025
If you have misaligned or crowded teeth that you wish you could change, you have likely heard about Invisalign® treatment.
5 minute read
If you have misaligned or crowded teeth that you wish you could change, you have likely heard about Invisalign® treatment. A popular alternative to braces, Invisalign® treatment uses a series of removable aligners made from a flexible, transparent material, making them virtually invisible in the mouth.
The treatment was designed specifically for adults, but some people worry they might be too old to benefit. The good news is that there is no maximum age limit for Invisalign® treatment, as long as your teeth, gums and jaw are healthy.
Read the facts about age and Invisalign® treatment below or contact our certified Invisalign® providers in East Vic Park to discuss your own suitability and develop your personalised treatment plan.
Despite the stereotype, orthodontic treatment isn’t just for kids and teenagers, and it doesn’t have to involve wearing fixed and bulky metal braces. The Invisalign® system was developed specifically for adults and older teens who desired a more discreet and convenient treatment alternative – a solution that would straighten their smiles without drawing attention to itself along the way.
Invisalign® aligners work similarly to braces in applying gentle pressure to the teeth. Over time, this shifts their alignment into a more desired position to straighten your smile and improve your bite. The difference is that Invisalign® uses a series of removable aligners rather than fixed brackets and wires, and these aligners are custom designed to fit comfortably over your teeth.
Many adults of all ages can benefit from Invisalign® treatment, whether or not you’ve had orthodontic correction in the past. If the visibility of braces discouraged you from seeking treatment before, Invisalign® could be a way to achieve your desired smile.
Invisalign® can be effective at treating a range of mild to moderate alignment issues, though this depends in part on the expertise of the dentist or specialist orthodontist providing it. Conditions that have been successfully treated with Invisalign® aligners include:
If you only need minor orthodontic correction, you may be a candidate for Invisalign® Go, which uses less aligner sets over the course of your treatment.
If you have a more complex or severe alignment issue, Invisalign may not be suitable and your dentist may suggest alternative treatments such as discreet braces. Some conditions that Invisalign® aligners can’t treat, include:
If your treatment plan aims to move teeth up or down or correct the midline (the position of the front teeth in relation to the midline), then clear aligner treatment may not be recommended and braces required instead. Additionally, issues resulting from prior dental work such as bridges, crowns or veneers can make Invisalign unsuitable.
Age itself is not a limiting factor for Invisalign®, but some age-related risk factors can mean that the treatment is less suitable for some people. This is because oral health concerns are more common as we age, problems such as gum disease and damaged or missing teeth can make Invisalign® treatment less effective.
Multiple studies have found that Invisalign® aligners continue to be effective for correcting alignment issues in older adults, although results can be slightly less predictable compared to those of younger adults and teenagers. This varies depending on the type of correction needed.
The only way to know whether you are eligible for Invisalign® treatment is to arrange a consultation with a certified Invisalign® provider. They can examine your mouth and jaws and discuss your needs and goals to determine whether Invisalign® or another option is the best fit for you. To book a consultation with our dentists to assess your own suitability for Invisalign®, call us now on (08) 9470 3944.
If you have crooked or crowded teeth, Invisalign® clear aligners can be more discreet and convenient than fixed braces.
Discreet appearance
Invisalign® aligners are made from a soft, transparent plastic that’s moulded to fit comfortably over your teeth. This makes them virtually invisible in the mouth, so most people won’t notice you’re wearing them. You can also remove the aligners when needed, though it’s important to wear them for at least 22 hours a day.
The removable aligners make eating, drinking, brushing and flossing easier than with braces, and you won’t have to give up certain foods. They also generally require fewer appointments than braces, which need to be manually adjusted by your dentist.
When you’re more satisfied with the appearance of your teeth, you might feel more willing to smile and can enjoy the many benefits of smiling. These benefits are plentiful and can include a boosted immune system, reduced blood pressure and reduced production of the stress-enhancing hormones cortisol and adrenaline.
Some studies suggest that crooked or crowded teeth can impact your oral health and general health. They can trap food and bacteria and make teeth harder to clean between, increasing your risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease. If you’re not able to chew food properly, this could also affect your jaw health, diet, nutrition and digestion. Teeth straightening with Invisalign® may help to alleviate symptoms associated with some of these problems and improve your overall health.
Although Invisalign® can be effective for all age groups, some older adults may worry that the treatment isn’t for them. As long as you have healthy teeth and gums and are willing to comply with the long-wearing hours of plastic aligners, you should be a suitable candidate for Invisalign® at any age.
Being older could mean that the treatment takes longer and results may be less predictable, due to the decreasing density of the jawbone with age. This means it takes more effort to move the teeth and guide them into their new position than for young people whose jaws are still growing and more malleable. An experienced dentist will understand this and know how to tailor your Invisalign® treatment for a successful outcome, however old you are.
Oral health problems such as tooth decay and gum disease can impact on the success of orthodontic treatments like Invisalign®. If you have an existing oral health issue, your dentist will need to treat it as a priority before your Invisalign® treatment can begin.
Treating problems that develop later can interrupt or delay your Invisalign® correction, so it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene throughout the course of your treatment and to keep up with your routine dental visits. If you have a number of missing teeth, or prosthetic teeth such as an dental implants, crowns, a bridge or denture, these can also make Invisalign® less effective.
If you visit us for an Invisalign® consultation, our dentist will explain what the treatment involves and evaluate your suitability. This will involve a physical examination of your mouth and taking an x-ray to assess your teeth and jaw bone.
If you are a candidate, your dentist will use an intraoral camera to take 3D digital images of your mouth and use these images to design your custom aligners with Invisalign® software. The aligners will then be manufactured by a skilled technician in a dental laboratory and your dentist will check they fit comfortably.
Each set of Invisalign® aligners is designed to be slightly different from the last and should be worn for around two weeks before being replaced with the next set, gradually moving your teeth into their new position. We’ll schedule regular check-ups every 6–8 weeks so our dentist can check your progress and provide your next sets of aligners.
Teeth straightening with Invisalign® can take anywhere from 18 months to 3 years. It tends to take longer for older patients, but you can help keep your treatment on track by making sure you wear your aligners for the recommended 22 hours each day, only taking them out when you need to eat and clean your teeth.
If your dentist determines that you’re not a candidate for Invisalign® treatment, or you want to know your options, they could discuss other treatments that might help you achieve the changes you want in your smile. These might include:
Invisalign® is an option for many people in their 50s, 60s, 70s and older who want to improve their smiles with naturally straighter teeth. To find out more about the Invisalign® process and decide whether it’s the right choice for you, contact our friendly team at EVP Dental today. Our experienced Invisalign® provider will assess your suitability and give you all the information you need to make an informed decision.
Call us today on (08) 9470 3944 or send us a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can so you can take the first step towards your new smile.
Invisalign® aligners are a registered medical device. Always read the label and follow instructions for use from your dentist. Invisalign treatment may not be suitable for everyone and results can vary between individuals.
2. Chaluparambil M, Abu Arqub S, Kuo CL, Godoy LDC, Upadhyay M, Yadav S. Age-stratified assessment of orthodontic tooth movement outcomes with clear aligners. Prog Orthod. 2024 Nov 11;25(1):43. doi: 10.1186/s40510-024-00542-2. PMID: 39523241; PMCID: PMC11551086.
3. Kravitz ND, Hansa I, Vaid NR, Moshiri M, Adel SM. Does age influence deep overbite correction with Invisalign? A prospective study evaluating mandibular incisor intrusion in adolescents vs adults. Angle Orthod. 2024 Mar 1;94(2):145-150. doi: 10.2319/050223-320.1. PMID: 37939782; PMCID: PMC10893929.
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