While sporting a mouth full of metal brackets and colorful bands and wires may seem like a rite of passage for pre-teens and teenagers, orthodontics is not only geared to treating the misalignment of teeth in children and teenagers. In fact, the number of adults seeking out this type of treatment has grown substantially in recent years.
Orthodontic Treatments For Adults
Adults may consider orthodontic treatment for a number of reasons. For one, some adults that were not in a position to wear braces, due to financial or other constraints, when they were younger and of the typical age for braces are realizing that it is worth the temporary inconvenience even as an adult to achieve a smile highlighted by straighter teeth. Since more adults than ever are wearing braces to straighten their teeth, adults no longer feel as self conscious about going through the treatment themselves.
Additionally, with the growing popularity of clear brace options such as Invisalign®, adults are finding that they can opt to improve the alignment of their teeth without even having to endure one to two years of metal braces, brackets and wires. Instead, a series of clear plastic aligners can be worn that serve to straighten teeth while barely being noticeable. This orthodontic treatment option not only is more aesthetically pleasing, because the clear aligners are barely noticeable, but it also requires fewer visits to the dentist’s or orthodontist’s office for follow-ups, which makes it easier to fit treatment into a busy adult’s schedule. The aligners are also comfortable to wear, which is an added bonus.
Orthodontic treatment can be performed as a standalone procedure or may also be incorporated into a complete smile makeover. This latter term refers to a series of carefully planned dental procedures that work together in unison to help a patient achieve the smile of his or her dreams. Having teeth that are crooked, unevenly spaced, or otherwise misaligned can detract from a person’s smile, so this is a key component of many makeover procedures, since straighter teeth can go a long way in transforming the look of a person’s smile.
In addition to the aesthetic benefits offered by orthodontics, there are also functional benefits as well. For example, properly aligned teeth can correct issues arising from an incorrect bite or a misaligned jaw. This can improve speech, eating and other issues, such as headaches and jaw pain. It is never too late to improve the alignment of poorly positioned teeth, and the good news is that since an adult has stopped growing, any strides made during treatment to improve alignment are typically retained over the long run and are not impeded by continued growth, as can be the case with children that complete treatment before they have stopped growing.
Orthodontics is not simply a rite of passage for kids and teens in today’s society but is rather a means to achieving straighter, better aligned and more beautiful teeth, no matter what the age of a person.
For more information about the orthodontic treatment options we offer in Queens for children, teens and adults, contact Park Dental Care at 718-274-1515.
