When most people think of orthodontic treatment, they picture a teenager wearing metal braces. This stereotype is incredibly persistent, however, it isn’t the full truth. While we do see many teen patients here at RiverView Orthodontics, the number of adults seeking orthodontic treatment is growing every day! Today, about 1 in every 3 patients is over the age of 18. To accommodate this change in demographic, we’ve got your guide to adult orthodontic treatment.
Every day Dr. Upton sees adult patients who have spent a lifetime dreaming of their perfect smiles. Thankfully, it’s never too late for orthodontic treatment to give you the smile you deserve! 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 teens in braces or aligners are undergoing orthodontic treatment because their parents made the choice for them. While younger patients can certainly understand the importance of treatment—and often love the final results—adults usually have a better “real world” understanding of how braces or aligners can positively change their lives.
We also tend to learn more about the many ways our oral health is connected to our total body health as we get older. This leads some adults to seek out orthodontic treatment to keep their smiles in the best shape possible. As an adult, you’ll be able to fully understand the investment of orthodontic treatment and how it can improve your oral health and increase self-confidence!
Protect your smile for life
Of course, braces and aligners can improve the cosmetic appearance of any smile, but the benefits go far deeper! Crooked or crowded teeth can make it difficult to brush and floss effectively, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Misalignment can even 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 with RiverView Orthodontics can reduce or eliminate these symptoms and 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 on a budget can appreciate.
A variety of treatment options are now available
In the past, metal braces were the primary option for anyone looking to straighten their smile. Today, we have multiple ways to align the teeth and jaws! Dr. Upton is proud to offer the following treatments for a complete smile transformation in Tuscaloosa and Demopolis.
Metal Braces
Metal braces have undergone some pretty major changes over the years. The brackets Dr. Upton uses are much smaller and no longer wrap around the 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 economical treatment option.
Clear Braces
Clear braces are the same shape and size as metal braces but have the added benefit of translucent brackets that blend in with your natural smile. When paired with clear, white, or tooth-colored elastics, they provide a very subtle treatment option for our image-conscious patients! While ceramic brackets are durable, they can be more prone to breakage than metal brackets. For this reason, Dr. Upton tends to recommend them for our older teen and adult patients.
Invisalign clear aligners
Instead of brackets and wires, Invisalign uses a series of clear removable aligners to move your teeth. These are made from a special material called SmartTrack and are customized to fit snugly, but comfortably, over your teeth. Because they’re removable, they provide adult patients with more freedom and flexibility than braces. You’ll be able to eat as you normally would with no food restrictions and dental hygiene is a breeze to maintain. When worn as directed by Dr. Upton, Invisalign can be just as effective as braces at correcting many of the most common orthodontic issues.
Affordable financing options
It’s easier than ever to achieve a confident new smile, thanks to a range of affordable treatment options to fit every budget! We know how confusing the financial side of treatment can be, and our goal is to make it an easy and stress-free process for you. At RiverView Orthodontics, we offer convenient payment plans to keep your treatment on your budget. We also accept most major insurance plans in Alabama. For your convenience, our team is always available to help you with claims and paperwork.
Get the healthy smile you deserve with RiverView Orthodontics
You’re never too old to take advantage of all the benefits orthodontics has to offer! Whatever your age, our expert team is here to help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. If you’re in Tuscaloosa, Demopolis, or the surrounding areas, get in touch! We’d love to schedule you for a FREE consultation with Dr. Upton and our team.
You don’t have to settle for a smile you’re unhappy with! Our team will help you take the first step towards improved oral health and a smile you’ll want to share with everyone around you. Let’s get started today!