Braces at 60 Plus
By Dr. Linda Niessen -- Baylor College of Dentistry STORY: OVER 60 ORTHO SCRIPT #504 SHOOT: 3/4/03 AIRDATE: Monday, April 14, 2003
Monday, April 14, 2003
Marilyn Lee sells real estate. Bill Powell sells insurance. Both of them feel a friendly smile can help make a sale. But in order to hide their crooked teeth, they only manage a weak grin.
"So it was half appearance and half Ortho Patient health issue," said Bill in a recent interview. "I'm 61 years old and wear braces. So that's kind of unique."
Marilyn Lee's situation was just as unique. "I noticed the overbite was becoming more pronounced and it was making me self-conscious. I decided to do something about it," Marilyn said.
The only requirement to be an orthodontic patient is to have healthy teeth and gums. There is no age limit.
Orthodontist Dr. Mark Ozier, tells us, "Really as long as you have healthy teeth and your dentist is saying you're healthy and your gums are healthy, there's absolutely no reason why we can't move teeth orthodontially." Dr. Ozier says patients over sixty complain less and cooperate more than their younger counterparts. "Better cooperation with the adult. You can only imagine why. There's something to be said for maturity. And who's paying for it maybe!"
Dr. Ozier uses a type of orthodontic wire made out of shape memory alloy. The special wire translates into fewer visits and greater patient comfort.
Marilyn spent two years in her braces, which were removed six months ago. "I wish I had done it earlier," she said. I'm glad I did it."
Bill completes his treatment in another year. "I don't think it's ever too late.")
So if you have grandchildren in braces, that might be your best referral. You might ask them, who is your orthodontist? For Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A & M System, I'm Dr. Linda Niessen.
Dr. Linda Niessen, clinical professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences and the Office of Communications and Development at Baylor College of Dentistry, hosts Dental Health Check, the only weekly dental feature shot on location in the nation.
