BODY WATCH : Tips for Older Orthodontic Patients

* Orthodontic treatment must begin with a healthy mouth. See a dentist to make sure everything is in good shape.

* Older patients take longer to heal, so they should think long and hard about treatments that include major jaw surgery.

* Patients taking special medications need to let the orthodontist know beforehand because certain medications can interfere with movement of the teeth.

* In cases where patients have had missing teeth for many years, sometimes part of the bone structure has lost some width and height, limiting how far the teeth can be moved.