For many people, orthodontics conjures images of a sea of kids aged 9 to 14 or so filling the reception area of an orthodontic practice. But getting your best smile isn’t just for kids. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, one out of every three orthodontic patients is an adult.
In this blog, J. A. Duval, DDS, and the professional staff at Duval Orthodontics share their insights on adult orthodontics and why its life-changing benefits may land at the top of your gratitude list this Thanksgiving.
A beautiful smile is ageless
For adult orthodontics, it’s natural to question why you should bother straightening your teeth. After all, you waited this long. Why go through the time and expense? Here at Duval Orthodontics, the more compelling question is why not now? A gorgeous smile knows no age limits.
Fixing alignment issues and teeth flaws is just as important for adults as it is for kids. And a great added plus is that a beautiful smile boosts confidence. Addressing a less-than-stellar smile will have you thinking about your life in terms of “before” and “after” your smile do-over. And that’s definitely something to be grateful for.
Enables you to keep your teeth and gums healthy
While correcting a flawed smile enhances your physical appearance, adult orthodontics isn’t just vanity. It goes well beyond aesthetics. There’s a practical, sensible reason for getting braces as an adult. Whether you had braces when you were younger or you needed braces, but never got them, teeth naturally shift and change as you get older.
Natural aging often results in teeth crowding, crooked teeth, tooth gapping, and misalignment, all of which can wreak havoc on your ability to brush and floss. This scenario puts you at a higher risk of developing cavities and gum disease. Tackling your teeth and alignment flaws has definite health benefits; you capture your dream smile — a definite benefit to be thankful for.
Adult orthodontics is more diverse than ever before
Perhaps the best benefit of today’s adult orthodontics is that it is easier than ever, provides diverse, more comfortable treatment options, and allows patients to be as bold or discreet as they want.
Duval Orthodontics offers our adult patients a broad spectrum of reputable, effective adult braces in various materials, colors, and proprietary designs. In addition, Invisalign® is the most recognizable brand of clear aligners.
Varied metal braces with colored elastics
While traditional metal braces remain a mainstay treatment option, they are much more comfortable than ever before. You can now get creative, kick the silver color for your braces, get gold-colored braces, and choose from several colors for elastics.
Under the radar, adult braces with shorter treatment timelines
If you are looking for a less bold, more streamlined orthodontic treatment, Duval Orthodontics offers ceramic braces, Incognito™ braces, Six Month Smiles®, and Invisalign clear aligners. Each treatment option uses different materials to deliver a less noticeable way to capture your best smile without broadcasting it to the world.
Both ceramic braces and Six Month Smiles use a combination of tooth-colored or clear brackets and clear wires. The Six Month Smiles system has the added benefit of offering an expedited treatment plan, which can be six months for some patients.
Incognito™ braces literally turn traditional braces backwards. As lingual braces, Incognito braces place braces behind teeth by the tongue and palate.
If you or your child has ever had braces, you know one of the major complaints is discomfort from periodic archwire tightening. That experience is a thing of the past with the tie-less bracket system called Damon® braces. Damon proprietary archwire uses a special memory-shape material that facilitates continuous movement. The Damon system also expedites treatment time and offers a clear bracket option.
Virtually undetectable Invisalign clear aligner trays
Since Invisalign’s orthodontic market debut in 1999, over 20 million patients have captured their best smile using this game-changing clear aligner system. Not only can patients be thankful for not having to deal with braces, wires, and brackets, but the aligner trays are removable for eating and drinking, and virtually invisible.
As if complete discretion, comfort, and convenience weren’t enough, Invisalign treatment timelines are typically shorter than other orthodontic treatment options.
If you are ready to begin your journey to your best smile, contact Duval Orthodontics for an orthodontic evaluation by calling the office in Warner Robins or Albany, Georgia, or book an appointment online today. You’ll be grateful that you did.
