Recognizing and Treating a Child’s Misaligned Jaw
August 15, 2021
The team at Central Virginia Orthodontics has recently noticed an increasing number of adult patients looking to improve their oral health with orthodontics. Some of them have spent a lifetime feeling uncomfortable with the way their teeth look and feel, and many worry that it’s too late to achieve a healthier smile. The good news is, you’re never too old to benefit from braces or clear aligners! Patients of all ages can enjoy straighter teeth and a healthier mouth with expert treatment from experienced orthodontists like Dr. Eric Baugher and Dr. Jennifer Claiborne. Keep reading below for your guide to orthodontic treatment as an adult!
What are the benefits of adult orthodontic treatment?
While children and teens are able to understand why orthodontic treatment is important for their smiles, we find that adults tend to have a much better understanding of just how beneficial a healthy mouth can be.
This is largely due to adults being more aware of the many ways oral health can affect your total body health. They know that regular dental care and orthodontic treatment can help keep the teeth, gums, and whole body healthy! Most adult patients are able to see orthodontic treatment for what it truly is: an investment of your time and finances that will have a major pay-off in the form of a healthier, happier, and more confident smile.
What are the benefits of orthodontic treatment for adults?
The most obvious benefit of orthodontic treatment is probably improving the appearance of a patient’s smile, but there are benefits beneath the surface, too! When teeth are crooked or crowded, they can be difficult to clean properly. This increases the risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental problems.
If the teeth and jaws are misaligned, it can also cause excess wear on the enamel. Over time, this may lead to chronic headaches or pain in the face, neck, or jaw. Orthodontic treatment with braces or clear aligners from Central Virginia Orthodontics will help to reduce or eliminate these symptoms.
Treatment can also protect adult patients from more serious oral issues in the future, which translates into a healthier smile and long-term financial savings. That’s something adults on any budget can smile about!
What treatment options are available to adult orthodontic patients?
There’s never been a better time to be an adult orthodontic patient! Not so long ago, there were very few options for anyone looking to improve the look and feel of their teeth. Today, we have multiple ways to give patients a smile that’s beautiful and functional! Central Virginia Orthodontics is proud to offer the following affordable treatment options for a smile makeover.
Metal braces
Traditional metal braces are the most widely used orthodontic appliance in Lynchburg and the surrounding area, and come with a proven track record of success. They efficiently treat a variety of orthodontic issues and can be particularly useful in cases that are more severe or complex.
Braces have been around for a long time, and they’ve seen some impressive upgrades in recent years. Today’s metal braces are far more comfortable, effective, and affordable than previous designs were.
Clear braces
Clear braces function the same way as metal braces, but they come with the added benefit of clear brackets. This offers an incredibly subtle way to straighten teeth, especially when paired with clear, white, or tooth-colored elastics. The ceramic brackets we use with clear braces are slightly larger and a bit more brittle than metal brackets, so we are more likely to use them on the upper front teeth than the lower teeth.
Because they are much less visible than metal brackets, clear braces tend to be a popular choice with our teen and adult patients who tend to be a bit more image-conscious.
Instead of brackets, wires, and bands, the innovative Invisalign system uses a series of customized clear aligners to shift the teeth over time. The aligners are designed to be removed when a patient is eating, drinking anything other than water, and brushing their teeth. This gives them an extra measure of freedom and flexibility that our adult patients love!
Patient compliance is an essential part of treatment with Invisalign. The aligners must be worn for 20-22 hours per day throughout the orthodontic process to successfully straighten smiles. Patients are also responsible for switching each aligner out with the next in the series every 1-2 weeks. This allows them to keep up with the movements their teeth are making.
When worn as directed by Dr. Baugher and Dr. Claiborne, Invisalign can be just as efficient as braces at treating many of the most common orthodontic issues.
Boost your oral health with adult treatment at Central Virginia Orthodontics
Most things in life come with a list of pros and cons, and orthodontic treatment is no different. That means that not every treatment we offer at Central Virginia Orthodontics will be suitable for all patients, which is why we encourage adults to work with an orthodontist who is highly trained, skilled, and experienced. That’s where Dr. Baugher and Dr. Claiborne in!
We don’t do cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all treatment at our office. Instead, Dr. Baugher and Dr. Claiborne will recommend the most appropriate treatment for your unique smile. This personalized treatment plan is built around your needs and lifestyle, and it guarantees a rewarding orthodontic journey with beautiful results you’ll love.
Orthodontic treatment with Dr. Eric Baugher, Dr. Jennifer Claiborne, and the rest of our talented team is a smart investment in a better smile, one that will enhance your physical, emotional, and oral health. Are you ready to take the first step towards the confident smile you deserve? Get in touch to schedule your FREE consultation to transform your smile!