Many adults think, "Am I too old to get orthodontic treatment?" At Woodhill Dental Specialties, we have patients of all ages, which just shows that you're never too old for a great smile!
"I was an adult orthodontic patient myself," Dr. Johnson said. "The most surprising thing to me was how great I felt about my smile when I was finished."
Today, about 35% of our patients are adults. Adult orthodontics is becoming increasingly popular due to the availability of more subtle treatment options compared to traditional metal braces.
You may think, “I’ve lived with these teeth so long. Why should I get braces now?” A better smile can make you more confident, and confidence is great at any age! Dr. Johnson proves that adult orthodontic treatment can make a difference in your life. He said his treatment made him feel more confident, and he wants to help others feel the same way at Woodhill Dental Specialties.
We offer a separate treatment room for adults so you feel comfortable during checkups. We have experience treating adult patients, with more than a third of our current patients being adult patients. From the moment you enter, you’ll know you are in good hands!
Adult orthodontics is treatment for anyone 21 years of age or older. By this time, the last teeth (third molars or “wisdom teeth”) have erupted, so the patient has a complete set of teeth. The jaws of adults also harden, setting the teeth in place.
Does this mean adults can’t get braces? Not at all! Adults can get braces just as easily as children. However, due to the jaws being set, braces treatment for adults may take a bit longer.
Another concern adults have is the aesthetic part of it. Some may feel self-conscious about showing off traditional metal braces every time they smile.
We offer great options like clear ceramic braces. They more closely match the color of your teeth, so they're harder to see. We also offer lingual braces, which fit behind the teeth and are practically hidden, even when you smile. We also offer clear aligners, which are nearly invisible and removable!
Adults have many of the same teeth problems as children. These can include a Class 2 or Class 3 malocclusion—in other words, an overbite or underbite, respectively. Adult patients can also have crossbites, crowded teeth, or gap teeth, all of which can be repaired with braces.
Dental problems tend to get worse over time. They can cause more damage the longer they are left untreated.
Neglecting your teeth can cause:
Adults with braces also report headaches, neck aches, and jaw pain. Misaligned teeth put excess stress on these areas, which can wear down the temporomandibular joint that connects the jaws, causing pain in the jaw, neck, and head.
Adults also want to make a good first impression, and nothing does that better than a beautiful, straight smile. Braces can boost your self-esteem just as easily as your child’s.
Braces for adults can improve oral, emotional, and overall health. That’s why we say you’re never too old for a beautiful new smile!
Braces aren’t necessarily more painful for adults than children. Adult orthodontics may take longer than children’s braces just because the bone is already “set.” It takes a little more time for the teeth to start to move. However, it’s no longer painful because the same processes are involved.
Braces for adults apply gentle pressure to teeth. This pressure causes the jawbone to break down just enough to allow the teeth to move. Then, it rebuilds behind the teeth. Because the jaw is still developing, this process begins faster in children. However, it still happens in adults, so it’s just as easy for adults to get braces as children.
Today’s braces are smaller, more comfortable, and more efficient than ever. You’re probably wondering how they have changed.
We offer self-ligating stainless steel braces, which don’t require elastics to hold the wire in place. They’re more comfortable and more efficient, so you may be in braces for less time than you think! We also offer gold braces for those who want to “bling” it up.
Seeing a patient see their new smile for the first time reveals confidence they haven't had before and pride in what they've accomplished. We want to bring those feelings of confidence and pride to you.
It's incredibly rewarding to see your new smile and straight teeth for the first time. Let us help you get there! Start with our virtual consult and free, no-obligation evaluation.
If you live in Dallas or Rockwall, Texas, contact us today. We can show you how great you can look and feel with a new, beautiful smile.
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