If you think wearing braces and straightening your smile is something only teenagers do, you are mistaken! Orthodontic treatment is not just for teenagers! Adult patients can also benefit from orthodontic treatment, and achieve a healthy, well-aligned, beautiful smile. Many of our adult patients who need orthodontics have worn braces in the past but stopped wearing retainers and their teeth have shifted back out of alignment. Others have never had any orthodontics but would benefit from having their teeth realigned.
Patients we work with often say, “I wish I felt better about my smile.” We are here to listen to your concerns and understand the goals you have for your smile and your overall dental health. Every person is unique and we want to be sure we understand your goals when we customize a treatment plan specifically for you. One of the most satisfying things we hear about from our adult orthodontic patients is the boost in self-confidence they experience because of their new smile!
Orthodontic treatment is designed by our dentists to straighten your teeth. Most people think braces are primarily a cosmetic fix to straighten the smile. This is not the only benefit. Misaligned teeth can cause frequent headaches, earaches, and facial pain. Misalignment, or crooked teeth, can affect your bite. Your bite is the way your teeth meet up when you chew. Misalignment can also cause crowding or overlapping of your teeth which makes it more difficult to properly brush, floss, and care for them properly. Adult braces used to properly align your teeth can help prevent bone loss in your jaw as you age and also protect against the premature wearing of your tooth enamel.
When an orthodontic consultation with our doctors is recommended, digital scans are taken of your teeth and bite. These scans allow us to plan your treatment and you can even see a digital simulation of the outcome. We will work with you to customize your smile and the ideal orthodontic treatment plan that is just right for you. Our office has invested in digital technology, including an Itero scanner and the Invisalign clear aligner therapy system, to provide the smoothest workflow possible for our patients. Diagnosis and treatment planning is simple and you can see your progress, and the final outcome, in software simulations before we even get started!
Your clear aligners are created digitally in the lab and will consist of a series of trays designed to gradually shift your teeth to the optimal position determined in the treatment plan. Most patients wear each set of trays for a duration of about two weeks. The trays are typically left in day and night but can easily be snapped in and out for cleaning and eating. You will also have frequent check-ups with us to make sure your progress is going smoothly and to make any slight modifications or adjustments that might be needed.
Once you have completed your aligner therapy, and the optimal alignment of your smile is achieved, you will need to wear retainers to keep your teeth in the corrected position. We will monitor the results and the effectiveness of your retainer protocol when you come in for your regular hygiene appointments. If you think you might be a good candidate for Invisalign clear aligners give us a call. We can’t wait to see your smile!
