It’s not unusual for people to believe that braces are just for teenagers, but this idea is actually pretty outdated! It’s true that teens make up the largest percentage of orthodontic patients, but we’re seeing more children and adults close that gap every day. In fact, about one in every three patients in braces or aligners is over the age of 18. That’s risen significantly even in the last few years when the number was only one in five patients. Thanks to modern orthodontic technology, more adults than ever before are exploring how treatment can improve their smile and transform their lives!
Here at Davis & Goldberg Orthodontics, we’re proud to offer patients of all ages a variety of affordable treatment options to achieve better dental health and a straighter smile. Today’s braces offer much more than cosmetic appeal and can actually be an important aspect of your oral and total body health. If you’ve spent a lifetime feeling self-conscious about the way your smile looks or feels, there’s never been a better time to schedule a free consultation with our practice! Keep reading below to learn why you’re never too old to benefit from orthodontics and how we can give you the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted.
Why Are More Adults Choosing Orthodontic Treatment?
We all have personal reasons for choosing the things we do, including orthodontic treatment. As we age, many of us gain a better understanding of how oral health is related to overall health. This knowledge encourages many adult patients to seek out dental or orthodontic treatment to keep their teeth and gums in good shape!
We also see a number of adult patients who received orthodontic treatment earlier in life that was never completed. They contact us because they want to finish the treatment process or even start it over from scratch again. Touch-up treatment is common for older patients, as well. Our teeth develop wear and tear from years of biting and chewing, which leaves them with a little extra wiggle room over time. Our bone density also decreases as we get older, causing the teeth to shift. This movement is more noticeable in some people than in others.
Other reasons the teeth can shift include genetics and improper retainer use. This can happen even if treatment is completed when a patient is younger, and we have several options for treatment if it does. Our doctors may choose to do nothing more than monitor the teeth over time or provide you with new retainers. Other cases may benefit from repeating treatment using braces or aligners.
We also encounter plenty of adult patients who have never had any treatment before and simply wish to improve the cosmetic appearance of their smile. Studies have shown that straighter teeth can boost a patient’s confidence and have a positive impact on their personal and professional lives! Whatever your reason for exploring orthodontic treatment, we have a number of options available to you.
What Are the Benefits of Getting Braces as an Adult?
There are several common conditions that can appear in conjunction with dental and orthodontic issues in adults. These may include the following.
- Gum or bone loss—Adults tend to be more susceptible to recessed gums and bone loss due to gingivitis or periodontal disease.
- Worn or missing teeth—As we mentioned above, your teeth can become worn down and begin shifting into different positions as you age. Adults are also more likely to be missing a tooth. This can change the position of the teeth that surround that space, which may affect the bite or increase the risk of gum disease.
- Gum disease—The health of your teeth and gums can be affected by everything from poor oral hygiene to misalignment. If you’re not able to clean them correctly, plaque can build up and cause swelling, cavities, and tooth decay.
Not so long ago, it was unusual for adults to seek out orthodontic treatment to alleviate their orthodontic problems. That was due in part to the lack of discreet treatment options available, but that’s no longer an issue, thanks to modern technology! Davis & Goldberg Orthodontics has a treatment for every smile and every budget. Treating you with braces or aligners will not only improve the cosmetic appearance of your smile but also significantly reduce your chances of needing dentures or dental implants in the future.
What Treatment Options Are Available to Adult Patients at Davis & Goldberg Orthodontics?
Recent advances in orthodontics have made it easier than ever to achieve a total smile makeover! We’re proud to offer the following treatment options to our patients.
Traditional Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces are the most popular orthodontic appliance and have a proven track record of efficiency. The brackets are made from a durable mix of stainless steel and affixed directly to the front of the teeth with a wire running through them. Today’s braces are more comfortable, effective, and aesthetically pleasing than ever before and deliver excellent results in cases from simple to complex.
Clear Braces
Clear braces, also known as ceramic braces or tooth-colored braces, function the same way metal braces do. However, they use semi-translucent or tooth-colored ceramic brackets instead of metal to blend in better with a patient’s natural smile. When paired with clear, white, or tooth-colored wires and elastic ties, ceramic braces provide an incredibly subtle option for straightening teeth!
Although ceramic braces are strong like metal braces, the ceramic material can be more prone to chipping or cracking. They also tend to be slightly more costly than metal brackets. Since they can be more expensive and are slightly more prone to breakage, we will generally only recommend ceramic braces for our older teen and adult patients.
Invisalign Clear Aligner Treatment
Invisalign for adults is an exciting alternative to braces that uses a series of clear aligners instead of brackets and wires to straighten teeth. The aligners are designed to be removable, which offers patients a bit more freedom and flexibility than braces. The trays are made of soft thermoplastic resin and custom-designed to fit snugly over teeth.
Patient compliance is important with the Invisalign system. The aligners need to be worn for 20-22 hours per day throughout the treatment process and must also be switched out for the next in the series every 1-2 weeks, depending on the treatment plan. This allows them to keep up with the movement of the teeth.
Not all types of braces are appropriate for every case, which is why our doctors create a personalized treatment plan for every patient based on their unique smile, lifestyle, and goals. When you visit our office for your consultation, one of our doctors will examine your mouth and then discuss the appropriate treatment options.
Get the Smile You’ve Always Wanted at Davis & Goldberg Orthodontics
Whether you’re considering braces for the first time or revisiting orthodontic treatment for the second time, you’re never too old to improve your oral health and achieve the healthy smile you’ve always wanted! If you’re in the High Point area or the surrounding communities, we’d love to tell you more about how our treatment options can transform your smile. Get in touch today to schedule your free consultation with our practice today!
