If you’re an adult considering braces or Invisalign, but you’re haunted by memories of the bulky metal braces from the 80s or 90s, rest assured: orthodontics has come a long way. So if you’re wondering, “Am I too old for braces?” the answer is a resounding no.
At Innovative Orthodontic Centers, American board-certified orthodontists Dr. Manal Ibrahim and Dr. Christine Gin specialize in comfortable, highly efficient adult orthodontics. Whether you opt for our SureSmile® braces or Invisalign®, today’s treatments are a sleeker alternative to the cumbersome options of the past.
Here are 5 ways modern orthodontic technology has revolutionized adult orthodontics:
1. Goodbye Bulky 80s Braces, Hello Aesthetic Brackets and Wires
If you had 80s or 90s braces, you remember the oversized brackets and wires. While even traditional braces are much smaller today, we offer SureSmile prescription wires with self-ligating brackets in metal and clear, which are even more streamlined and less noticeable.
This isn’t just a cosmetic upgrade—thanks to advanced digital treatment planning, smooth, tie-less brackets and ultra-precise wires, the SureSmile system leads to better results in less time and with less discomfort.
2. Invisalign: Virtually Invisible and Custom-Fit
Invisalign for adults is a game-changer that allows you to skip braces altogether. The clear aligners are removable and custom-designed to fit your teeth and your teeth alone.
As the #1 Invisalign provider in Illinois, Innovative Orthodontic Centers has transformed over 5,000 smiles and counting with the clear aligners. We’ve also earned Top 1% Blue Diamond+ Invisalign Provider status, the highest level awarded by Align Technology, making us the go-to practice for adult Invisalign in Naperville and Shorewood, IL. Because of our unparalleled case experience, everyone is a candidate for Invisalign at our practice!
The best part? There’s no need to sacrifice your appearance or lifestyle with Invisalign. Most people won’t notice you’re wearing the aligners, and since they’re removable, you can eat whatever you want during treatment and maintain excellent oral hygiene without interruption.
3. Better Results Even for Complex Cases
Starting Invisalign treatment or getting braces as an adult is possible even if you have a complex case. In the 80s and 90s, some adults with skeletal bite problems required orthognathic surgery (corrective jaw surgery) to get stable results.
Despite advancements in orthodontics that mean more adult orthodontic cases can be treated without surgery, there are still providers who recommend jaw surgery for their patients with severe issues.
With dual specialty training in prosthodontics and orthodontics and extensive experience, Dr. Ibrahim pioneered an alternative to jaw surgery using Invisalign clear aligners alone. She helps adults with complex orthodontic problems achieve beautiful, functional results without surgery. Patients from all over the world come to our practice for this revolutionary, non-surgical camouflage treatment.
4. Enhanced Precision and Comfort
With Invisalign, Dr. Ibrahim and Dr. Gin use a 3D model of your teeth to map out precise tooth movements. Our In-Face Visualization tool even lets you see simulations of what your smile could look like on an image of your face, so you know you’ll love the results. Your aligners are then custom-crafted from smooth plastic based on your treatment plan. They’re incredibly comfortable and don’t cause irritation.
Invisalign doesn’t require adjustments or tightening since each set of aligners is pre-programmed to achieve specific tooth movements. As you change your aligners every week or so, your smile takes shape right before your eyes.
We also use digital treatment planning with the SureSmile braces system. SureSmile creates custom, robotically bent archwires according to the doctor’s specifications.
The wires move your teeth with pinpoint accuracy. This is a world away from the manual wire bending of the 80s and 90s, which often resulted in painful braces tightening sessions. SureSmile’s digital precision means fewer appointments, no tightening and more comfortable care for adults who want straighter teeth without the hassle.
5. Faster Treatment Time
One of the biggest differences between adult orthodontics today and getting braces in the 80s and 90s is the efficiency of treatment. Back then, treatment was reactive, meaning orthodontists would spend time fixing unwanted tooth movements.
Now, with digital imaging and planning, we can create a customized plan from day one. Dr. Ibrahim and Dr. Gin can see how your teeth fit together from every angle and visualize different outcomes to help teeth take the most direct path to their ideal places.
At Innovative Orthodontic Centers, we use a range of high-tech tools, including the iTero® scanner and i-CAT™ imaging, to streamline diagnostics and treatment planning. This means no more messy impressions or endless appointments—just faster, more predictable results.
Whether you choose Invisalign for adults or SureSmile braces, you’ll spend less time in the chair. In fact, SureSmile decreases braces treatment time by 29% on average, while when Invisalign is combined with VPro+™, patients finish treatment in about half of the time.
6. Fewer Office Visits
Last, but certainly not least, AI-powered virtual monitoring makes treatment viable for those with the busiest schedules. A few decades ago, patients saw their orthodontist for checkups every month. That’s not necessary anymore.
At Innovative Orthodontic Centers, we offer iTrack® to keep tabs on our Invisalign patients remotely. The cutting-edge app integrates artificial intelligence (AI) with your smartphone.
You’ll take smile selfies and submit them via the app. The powerful tool then uses AI to optimize your treatment and track your progress every week. This gives Dr. Ibrahim and Dr. Gin more control over your treatment for better results. Since these check-ins take the place of many in-person visits, iTrack drastically reduces the number of trips you’ll need to make to our office.
The Bottom Line: In the Hands of a Skilled Orthodontist, Age is Just a Number
Still wondering, “Am I too old for braces?” Not at all! Modern orthodontic treatment options for adults are nothing like those bulky 80s braces. Discreet solutions, such as Invisalign and SureSmile braces, are less noticeable, more effective and more comfortable. Not to mention, they can help you see better results in significantly less time than traditional braces.
Ready to Transform Your Smile?
If you’re ready to experience the modern era of orthodontics for adults, Innovative Orthodontic Centers is here to help. As leaders in adult orthodontics in Naperville and Shorewood, Dr. Ibrahim and Dr. Gin will develop a personalized treatment plan that fits your lifestyle and needs. Schedule a complimentary consultation today!
Have kids in treatment at our office? You’re in luck. For a limited time, we’re offering $1,500 off orthodontic treatment for parents as part of our Parent Appreciation Program. Ask us about it when you book your consultation.
