There’s nothing cuter than a gap-toothed grin on a little kid, but that sentiment doesn’t seem to stick into adulthood. Whether your teeth affect your confidence or your ability to maintain good oral health by making brushing and flossing difficult, there are many reasons to get braces as an adult. Dental technology is continuously improving, and Johnson Family Orthodontics will always offer the most comfortable and effective treatments.
When you think of braces, the first thing that springs to mind is probably a metal-clad teen face, and that’s not the look you want to sport as an adult. While it is most common to utilize orthodontic treatments such as braces in adolescence, adults make up about one in every five orthodontic patients today. Talk about a positive trend!
You deserve orthodontic care that reflects your individual needs. Dr. Johnson and their experienced team believe that informed patients will have more successful results, so your role in treatment is essential. We will build self-confidence and create positive life changes. Let’s look at some reasons to get braces as an adult.
Aesthetics and the confidence of a perfect smile
Your self-esteem depends significantly on your teeth, and a crooked smile or misaligned bite can leave you feeling less confident when all eyes are on you. You may notice you shy away from personal conversations or avoid having your photo taken only to give a less-than-thrilled, lips-only grin when you can’t escape. For some patients, the positioning of your teeth may even affect your speech by causing your tongue or lips not to attain the position necessary to make certain sounds.
Here at Johnson Family Orthodontics, we believe that the essence of good oral health is creating confidence and pride for our patients in Salem and the surrounding areas. Orthodontic treatment is more than just straightening teeth. When you trust your smile to our orthodontic expertise and high-tech offices, you’ll get increased confidence and an improved self-image – not to mention a beautiful smile!
Improved overall health
Braces are instrumental in correcting misaligned teeth and other dental issues that lead to further common health problems like headaches, jaw pain, digestion issues, and even sleep apnea.
Improper alignment of your teeth and jaw throughout an adult’s life can cause damage to the areas where the teeth meet during chewing and even make the process of chewing itself difficult. When your jaws or teeth do not meet adequately during chewing, you risk overexertion of the jaw muscles and complications like TMD or temporomandibular joint disorder. Not being able to chew correctly can result in food not being digested timely or adequately and lead to reflux, indigestion, and diminished nutrient absorption.
Braces also require extra cleaning and care, so your mouth will get better overall attention and maintenance. Having straight teeth can make this cleaning much less tricky as there will be less space for plaque and bacteria to build up, decreasing your chances of cavities, tooth decay, and even gum disease, and more room to floss with better access to your gum line.
Variety of treatment options
Dental technology is always getting better. You can get the latest orthodontic treatment from Johnson Family Orthodontics. Depending on the severity of your adjustments, your options may include traditional metal braces, clear braces, or Invisalign clear aligners. Sometimes, a combination of treatment options can improve the efficacy and time necessary for adjustments.
Metal braces
Traditional metal braces are the most time and cost-effective orthodontic treatment. Modern braces have come a long way in recent years and now consist of high-grade stainless steel brackets connected by metal wires that are gradually tightened to adjust your teeth over time. The brackets are secured to your teeth with special glue and the elastic bands help ensure the archwires come in dozens of colors for personalization and fun.
Clear braces
Clear braces use the same parts as traditional braces, but instead of metal, the brackets on the front side of the teeth are made of see-through ceramic material. These can be an excellent option for adult patients looking for the strength of traditional braces but are concerned about the aesthetic appearance of the process.
Invisalign
Unlike braces, this innovative system straightens teeth without brackets, bands, or wires. The Invisalign system is made of clear acrylic aligners that fit over your teeth. They are removable, making it easier to eat, drink, brush, and floss, but to be effective do need to be worn for about 22 hours a day during your treatment process. The trays are replaced every one to two weeks to keep consistent pressure in adjusting the teeth and jaws the way you need to get your goal smile!
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are similar to traditional braces. However, the brackets used with lingual braces are placed on the back sides of the teeth facing the tongue rather than the front of the teeth. This makes them virtually invisible, which can be especially compelling for image-conscious teens and adults!
Cost-Efficient- Now and Later
It’s no secret that oral health is strongly connected to overall health, and there’s never been a better time to consider orthodontic treatment. Combined with proper dental hygiene, braces can decrease your chances of cavities, gum disease, costly procedures like tooth extractions or specialists that treat symptoms, not culprits, and the chance of prosthetics in the future. Specific orthodontic issues like misaligned bites can wear down your teeth and lead to chipping, cracking, and even total loss, which will cost you much more.
Johnson Family Orthodontics has improved our Salem patients‘ self-confidence, appearance, and health by being committed to making orthodontics affordable for you and your family. We emphasize exceptional service, offer flexible payment options, and file your insurance forms to ensure you get maximum benefits before creating a plan that works best for your budget.
You deserve a healthy smile at any age!
All treatments have their lists of pros and cons, and we know you have a unique set of needs with your unique smile, no matter your age. Whether you want to keep this journey more inconspicuous, prioritize comfort over aesthetics, or simply want the option that gets you to your perfect smile fastest, our goal at JFO is to help you live, grow, and smile!
Our warm and fun office features advanced technology to make choosing your orthodontic treatment options a little less overwhelming. If you still have questions about getting braces as an adult, schedule a FREE consultation to get started on your journey to a confident smile. We care about you like you’re our own family, and we promise to give you the best quality care in a comfortable, fun setting.