Q: “Can Braces Make Me Look Younger?”
Michael Abrams, DDS, an orthodontist and periodontist, explains how correcting misaligned teeth can visually reverse the hands of time.
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Michael Abrams, DDS, practices in Manhasset and Manhattan.
A: We tend to think of braces as a rite of passage for the tween and teen years, but more and more adults are getting some orthodontic appliance to straighten their teeth. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) says one in three orthodontic patients are adults.
Michael Abrams, DDS, a licensed orthodontist and periodontist at Manhasset Dental Arts, can confirm this trend in his practice. “I treat a variety of patients from ages seven and up, and a large portion of my patients in Long Island and Manhattan are adults,” he says. Some had braces as kids and stopped wearing retainers, so their teeth shifted. Others are moms who see how nice their kids’ teeth look and want a perfect smile, too. “Plenty are women in their mid-30s and 40s, even 50s, getting treated for the first time.”
The results, however, are not just about straight teeth. Correcting misaligned teeth can make you look younger, says Dr. Abrams. Crowding teeth can be a sign of aging, but there’s more to it than that. “As we age, gravity takes its toll on the lower third of the face,” he says. “With orthodontics, you can affect wonderful changes to that area,” says Dr. Abrams. “For example, if I change the inclination of the upper teeth, where the upper lip rests, suddenly a thin upper lip appears fuller.” Balancing the upper lip for a woman in her 40s may even be enough to stave off filler or Botox for a while, he says.
Fine lines and wrinkles around the lips, chin, and nose may be less apparent after braces, too. “Just that simple realignment and re-angulation and having that vision of where the teeth will be in a year and a half when I’m done, really does contribute to a more youthful appearance,” he says.
But are adults opting for metal braces? Dr. Abrams says the most popular orthodontic appliances for adults are clear aligners such as those from 3M or Invisalign due to their more discreet nature. “It’s been about 25 years since aligners started; there’s so much more that they can do now,” says Dr. Abrams. “Braces are more one-dimensional— we can move things in one direction and then move them in another. With aligners, you can often accomplish three-dimensional or multiple movements simultaneously, which is wonderful.”
For complex cases, Dr. Abrams may use a hybrid of aligners and traditional braces at one time, or braces first to do the “heavy lifting,” then switch to aligners. Conventional braces with white ceramic brackets for the visible teeth impervious to staining are also available. However, the wire is silver, he says. “They make white-coated wires, but they stain within five minutes of you leaving, so I don’t like using them.”
There are also lingual braces, which go behind your teeth. Dr. Abrams uses Incognito, which is a custom-made gold alloy bracket. “They’re at a higher price point than conventional braces because working from the inside out is difficult,” he says. Plus, the patient has to be motivated. “They’re uncomfortable; the tongue doesn’t know where to go.” Still, some patients want them because they aren’t visible. “For the average orthodontist, the more tricks you have up your sleeve and the more tools you have in your armamentarium, the more patients you can treat.”
Most people can expect to be in aligners or braces for at least a year or two with a ballpark cost of $5,000 to $7,000. There is a way to speed up the process with microneedling—only not for your face. This popular skin rejuvenation treatment involves puncturing the skin with super-fine needles to stimulate collagen production, smoothing lines and wrinkles, can be used on the gums. “It helps soften the bone and increase the healthy inflammatory cells to make the teeth move a bit easier, smoother, and faster through the bone,” he says. Some patients need just one treatment, while others can get as many as four to five. Dr. Abrams says it’s likely that this treatment will be covered by insurance.
Of course, orthodontic appliances and related treatments are among the costlier antiaging interventions. But they're a worthwhile investment if you have crooked, crowded teeth or a misaligned bite and are concerned about the visible signs of aging on your lower face.
For a list of services and to book a consultation with Dr. Abrams, visit Manhasset Dental Arts online or call 516-472-7575.
About the expert:
Dr. Michael Abrams is a licensed Orthodontist and Periodontist with a wide range of clinical skills and experiences. He attended dental school at Columbia University and completed the prestigious Periodontics/Orthodontics combined dual specialty training at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Abrams is trained in several treatment philosophies and enjoys exploring new technologies in Periodontics and Orthodontics. Innovations in dentistry often arise, and it is important to stay up to date with current advances. Dr Abrams is a certified provider of Wilckodontics® Periodontally Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics. This technique offers a procedure to enhance and accelerate the outcome of the orthodontic treatment. Dr. Abrams has also served as a volunteer faculty member at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine for 6 years (2018-2024) in the Periodontics department and taught residents in both Periodontics and Orthodontics and currently lectures locally and nationally for 3M Orthodontics.
Dr. Abrams lives in NYC and practices in Manhasset and Midtown Manhattan. He enjoys spending his free time with family and friends and anything related to the Marvel multiverse.
