Adults: Brace Yourselves by Elvira Maricic As more grown-ups opt for orthodontia, there are special considerations to be aware of print article      send to a friend

Grandmothers have come a long way, and Sandy Osborne is a prime example. At a time when her grandkids should be starting orthodontic treatment, Osborne, a 54-year-old business owner and grandmother of four, recently completed her own. Nearly 1 million adults in the US and Canada are receiving treatment from an orthodontist.

Adult patients have a variety of reasons for starting treatment, and appearance is often at the top of the list--but it's not the only reason. Their teeth don't fit together very well; they're starting to develop some wear on the teeth; or they're beginning to strain their jaw joints. Fortunately, orthodontic treatment can restore good function, and many orthodontic problems can be corrected just as easily for adults as for children. But there are some differences.

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