If you’re like most people, when you think of orthodontic treatment, you probably envision an adolescent in a full set of metal braces. This is a stereotype that’s had some serious staying power over the years, but it isn’t quite true! While teens do make up a large percentage of orthodontic patients, children and adults are closing that gap every year. The increase in new adult patients has been particularly impressive—with 1 in 3 patients now over the age of 18, this demographic has grown at an astounding rate. That’s why we’ve put together your guide to adult orthodontic treatment!
Here at Krieger Orthodontics, we talk to adults every day who are concerned that it’s too late to achieve the straight smile they’ve always wanted. Fortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth! You’re never too old to improve your smile with orthodontic care. If you’ve spent a lifetime feeling unhappy with the way your teeth look or function, there’s never been a better time to look into all the benefits that treatment can offer. Let’s take a closer look at what’s driving the increase in adult patients and how orthodontics can help you achieve a confident smile of your own!
Understanding the importance of a healthy smile
Most adolescents in braces or aligners are undergoing orthodontic treatment because their parents have decided that’s the best course of action. While younger patients are certainly able to understand the importance of treatment—and love the final results—adults usually have a better “real world” understanding of how braces or aligners can positively impact their lives.
As we get older, we also tend to learn more about the many ways our oral health is connected to our total body health. This leads some adults to seek out orthodontic treatment to give their smiles the best possible care. As an adult, you’ll be able to grasp what orthodontic treatment truly is: an investment of your time and finances that pays off in big ways with improved oral health and increased self-confidence!
Affordable treatment options
Modern treatment options are more affordable, making it easier than ever to achieve a healthy, confident new smile on any budget! We know how confusing the financial side of treatment can be, and our goal at Krieger Orthodontics is to make the process easy and stress-free for you. To make your journey easier, our office team is always available to help you with any insurance claims and paperwork. We also offer financing through OrthoFi, a financial software that allows you to manage your payments easily and effectively.
A variety of treatment options are now available
Not so many years ago, metal braces were the only option for anyone looking to straighten their smile. We now have multiple ways to align the teeth and jaws! At Krieger Orthodontics, we’re proud to offer the following treatments for a complete smile transformation.
Metal Braces
Metal braces have undergone a pretty major makeover in recent years. The brackets are much smaller and no longer wrap around your entire tooth. Thinner archwires are used to move the teeth with more comfort and speed. You can even put a pop of personality into your treatment journey by choosing fun colors for your elastic bands! Metal braces have a long track record of success and can be ideal for treating more serious or complex cases. They also tend to be the most affordable treatment option.
Clear Braces
Clear braces are the same shape and size as metal braces but have the added benefit of tooth-colored brackets which blend in nicely with your natural smile. When paired with clear, white, or tooth-colored elastics, they provide a very subtle treatment option for image-conscious patients in Lewisville! While the ceramic brackets are durable, they can be more prone to breakage than metal brackets. For this reason, we usually only recommend them for our teen and adult patients.
Invisalign clear aligner system
Instead of brackets and wires, Invisalign uses a series of clear removable aligners to move the teeth. These are made from a special thermoplastic resin and customized to fit firmly but comfortably over your teeth. Because they’re removable, they provide adult patients with a bit more freedom and flexibility than braces. You’ll be able to eat as you normally would with no food restrictions, and dental hygiene is simple to maintain. Dr. Krieger is an Invisalign Diamond Provider, meaning he does more Invisalign treatment than 99% of orthodontists in America! When worn as directed, Invisalign can be just as effective as braces at treating many of the most common orthodontic issues.
Lingual braces
These are similar to traditional braces in several ways. 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 attractive for image-conscious teens and adults!
Before lingual braces are placed, we will take a digital impression using a scanner of the teeth to customize the brackets to fit each patient’s mouth perfectly. They are then placed onto each individual tooth with wires connecting them. These wires are also customized by a robot according to each patient’s specific needs. Once the lingual braces are placed, they work in much the same way as traditional braces do to gently move the teeth into the desired positions over time.
Looking to the future
Everyone knows that braces and aligners can improve the outward appearance of just about any smile, but the benefits don’t stop there! Crooked or crowded teeth can make it difficult to brush and floss effectively, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Misalignment can also cause excess wear on the teeth and enamel, which may lead to chronic headaches, jaw aches, and pain in the face and neck.
Orthodontic treatment can reduce or eliminate symptoms like this altogether. It can also help protect you from serious oral health problems in the future. This will not only give you a healthier smile with improved function, but it can also mean major financial savings. That’s definitely something adults with bills to pay can appreciate.
Get the healthy, beautiful smile you deserve with Krieger Orthodontics
You’re never too old to take advantage of all the benefits orthodontics has to offer! No matter your age, our expert team can help you achieve the smile you’ve always dreamed of. If you’re in Lewisville or the surrounding areas, we’d love to meet you!
Take the first step towards improved oral health and a smile you’ll want to share with everyone around you. To get started, schedule your FREE consultation with Dr. Krieger or Dr. Rasmussen today!
