Are you thinking about braces but figure you’re an adult, it’s just too late? And what adults get braces anyway? Are adult orthodontics even a thing? You’re stuck with the same old smile you’ve always had, and besides, you don’t want metal brackets and wires and a “brace face,” right?
Not to mention, won’t everyone know if you’re wearing braces, making you feel self-conscious during your treatment? And how long treatment can take – are you really up for that?
But despite all these potential downsides, maybe you keep coming back to feeling envious of the smiles of others and really want to improve the appearance of your smile.
Well, the good news is you’re not too old, it’s not too late, and there are orthodontic treatment options available to improve the appearance of your smile in a way that is discreet and, in some cases, virtually unnoticeable!
Is Orthodontic Treatment Successful in Adults?
Yes, orthodontic treatment can be as successful for adults as it is for children or adolescents. Many things go into orthodontic treatment plans, but age isn’t one of them in most cases!
One in four orthodontic patients is an adult.
Adult orthodontic treatment is successful because while growth stops in our teenage years, adult teeth can be moved, too, using the same process we use in children.
The bottom line is that your teeth will move in response to the force placed on them, but treatment may take a little bit longer. Don’t panic, however. In most cases, adult orthodontic treatment takes about a year or so. This does vary based on a few factors, including your oral and dental health.
For example, you may have dental restorations to consider, including fillings and bridges. You may be missing teeth or have teeth that are worn down or misshapen. Additionally, you may be living with jaw health issues such as temporomandibular disorder (TMD).
You may have also picked up bad oral habits along the way. These habits include smoking or using tobacco, clenching or grinding your teeth, thrusting your tongue against your teeth, or other behaviors that can impact your treatment.
These things can be overcome, however. We can design a personalized treatment plan to help correct any of these issues. This helps to improve your orthodontics results and ensure that your smile is both beautiful and healthy.
Braces Aren’t Just for Teens
No, braces aren’t just for teens. Many choose adult orthodontics treatment options to help move their teeth into ideal positions and improve their smiles.
We are proud to offer different treatment options and alternatives to traditional metal braces to help move your teeth in their ideal positions, including orthodontic appliances, braces or aligners.
We offer:
Developmental Orthodontics
The most common cause of crowded teeth is jaws that are too small, which creates a “mid-face” deficiency condition. Developmental Orthodontics goes beyond addressing the smile and works to overcome incorrectly sized jaws. Developmental Orthodontics helps patients avoid extractions and retractions to correct the bite, with the jaws joints and muscles surrounding the jaw joints in mind.
Controlled Arch Orthodontics
Controlled Arch Orthodontics can help achieve straight teeth and the perfect bite by expanding the jaw structure to allow for all teeth through self-ligating braces. Then, when there’s enough room, the teeth are straight and in their intended position. Another plus is that Controlled Arch Orthodontics is 30 percent faster than traditional orthodontics in achieving straight teeth.
Refined Orthodontics
Are there a few teeth you want to straighten? If your dental exam has revealed that your bite is fine, but you have a few teeth that stand out, you may be interested in clear aligner therapy. We offer patients custom-designed clear aligners that are printed in our office to help achieve the smile you are seeking.
How Long Does Orthodontic Treatment Last?
Again, adult orthodontics treatment varies from patient to patient. We will discuss your treatment plan and how long you will be in treatment at your consultation. While you’re in treatment, you will see us regularly to ensure that you are progressing correctly and so that we can make adjustments if needed.
Is It Worth It?
Yes! Getting the smile of your dreams is worth it. Healthy jaws that function better for biting, chewing, breathing and speaking are worth it, too! We also think improved oral and dental health is worth it, as are a reduction in tooth decay, periodontal disease, the elimination of a bad bite, and having great self-confidence.
It’s not too late. The time is now, and the time is right for you to get the healthy, beautiful smile and straighter teeth you have always wanted. Adult orthodontics is more advanced than ever.
Smile with confidence. Call us now to schedule a consultation and learn about our options for braces.
Also, it’s never too early to think about orthodontic intervention for your child. As with many things, the sooner, the better. You can prevent them from needing adult orthodontics. So give us a call to talk about your child’s orthodontic needs and find out how we can help give them healthy teeth and a beautiful smile.