Can your teeth move as an adult?
Can your teeth move as an adult?
Bellevue Lynnwood Bothell Invisalign
We often expect the teeth of a child to shift over time, as the child grows and gets new teeth in. However, many people expect that once you become an adult, your teeth will settle into their permanent locations and will stop moving. If this were the case, then you wouldn’t need to think about the alignment of your teeth at all once you become an adult.
However, this isn’t actually what happens. In fact, it’s common for people to experience shifting of their teeth throughout their lives. What causes the teeth to shift? Is there anything that you can do about this?
Teeth tend to shift forward with aging
Over the course of life, there’s a tendency of the teeth to move towards the front of the mouth. This is known as mesial drift, and it occurs for a variety of reasons. One is that our jawbones tend to grow narrower as we get older, pushing the teeth towards the front of the mouth. There are also small but subtle pressures put on the teeth by the tongue during speaking and chewing; although the pressure is very tiny each time, these pressures add up and slowly lead to movement of the teeth towards the front of the mouth. Grinding of the teeth (bruxism) puts additional pressures on the teeth and can make them move faster.
The jawbone tissue tends to get thinner as we age. This makes it easier for teeth to move. While the loss of bone tissue throughout the body is a normal part of aging, in people who have periodontitis (gum disease), the process of bone loss is accelerated. Gum disease also weakens the soft tissues (such as ligaments) that hold the teeth in place, making it easier for them to move.
Shifting after the loss of a tooth
Another reason that teeth may shift in adulthood for some people is after a tooth has been lost. Teeth tend to drift towards an empty tooth socket. This is actually a result of small pressures on the tooth; when pressure is put onto the tooth during chewing, it shifts a little bit. If there’s no tooth on one side to push back, then the tooth will tend to be pushed towards that empty space. Again, the pressures are small, so the movement will be relatively slow, but becomes noticeable over time.
What can you do about teeth shifting as an adult?
If you’re bothered by the shifting of your teeth in adulthood, or if you develop problems with tooth alignment as a result of the movements, then you may want to consider orthodontic treatment. Braces are an option, but most adults prefer to avoid braces, both because of the discomfort they create and because of the cosmetic effect of having visible braces as an adult.
Another option is Invisalign. This treatment uses a series of clear plastic aligners that fit over the outside of the teeth and gradually move them towards their desired locations. Invisalign is virtually undetectable while being worn, so it won’t cause issues in your personal or professional life like braces can.
Bellevue Lynnwood Bothell Invisalign
If you’re interested in considering Invisalign, then you’ll need to find a professional who’s trained in this method. Although the aligners themselves are designed using a sophisticated computer system, there are still some important details that your dental health professional needs to address in order to maximize the chances of a good outcome.
Dr. Mulliken is trained in the Invisalign method. In our office near Bothell, Invisalign treatment is offered to Dr. Mulliken’s patients. If you’re in our area, we invite you to schedule an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Mulliken. After an exam and a discussion of your goals, he’ll be happy to talk more with you about what would be involved in your treatment. There’s no obligation to get Invisalign after the consultation. To schedule your appointment, please contact our front desk.