Older Adults Endure Painful Orthodontics Journey for Better Smile

Published: Fall 2023

Author: Lin Qian

Children and teens are not the only ones getting orthodontic braces, but many people who have that done are actually older adults between the ages of 40 and 50.

Liu Riyin, an orthodontist at Ouhai Jie Laiya Dental Clinic in Wenzhou, notices that older adults are getting more orthodontics for health and aesthetics. He explains that the various treatment options, like fixed and removable braces, have increased their acceptance ability.

Liu Riyin, an orthodontist from Ouhai Jie Laiya Dental Clinic, is making the denture set for the patient, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, Friday, Dec.1, 2023. (Qian Lin). 2023/12/10

Liu said fixed orthodontics would be faster than removable, but older adults consider beauty during the process. The fixed orthodontic type includes metal, ceramic, and lingual braces, while removable treatment uses clear aligners, which are more invisible.

“They usually prefer more good-looking options like an invisible correction,” he added, “but some choose fixed orthodontics for economic reasons.” The invisible correction is around 27,000 to 40,000 yuan, while the fixed one is about 15,000 to 20,000 yuan.

Chu Qiaoyin, a 43-year-old woman who works as a safety officer from Ninghai Qiwen Business Information Consulting Service, completed orthodontics with ceramic braces to correct her inherited snaggletooth.

“The result is not worth my three years of pain, so I am a little regretful about doing orthodontics,” Chu said. “I have extracted two wisdom teeth and inserted small metal screws through my gum into the upper jawbone on both sides and linked ceramic braces to help the teeth move,” Chu explained. 

Her teeth have retracted but are still not as straight as others. The pain from orthodontics, severe mouth ulcers, and weak bite make her suffer. “I even spent 20,000 yuan on it, 10,000 more expensive than the metal braces,” Chu added. 

Ye Wenxiu, 41, wears metal braces for economic reasons, and her problem has improved, Ningbo, Zhejiang, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2023. (Qian Lin). 2023/12/10

“I am satisfied with the current effort,” Ye said. However, she thinks the process is unsightly and wears a mask to cover it. “The metal is noticeable when smiling, and my face is sunken due to tooth extraction,” said Ye.

She has paid 10,000 yuan for half of the treatment, but the entire treatment requires more than 20,000 yuan. “I must wear retainers afterward for two years,” Ye added, “For the sake of beauty, it worth.”