Adult Ortho is On the Rise!
Did you know that the American Association of Orthodontists estimates that about 27 percent of all ortho patients in America are adults? This has not always been the case. In the past, people thought braces were a thing you had done as a kid: grow up without braces, and you miss your chance forever. This is not true anymore!
Millions of people are seeing the value in straightening their teeth, and age is no longer an inhibiting factor. Part of this trend is likely due to the advent of Invisalign, which lets you straighten your teeth without adding any stainless steel to your smile. Most adults would prefer not to deal with the appearance of bracket-and-wire braces, or the dietary restrictions they require. Invisalign lets you straighten your teeth with only a slight alteration to your smile’s appearance during treatment.
Are you thinking about investing in your smile? Markham Orthodontics specializes in adult orthodontics, Sacramento CA. Call our office at 916-924-8970 for an orthodontic consultation.
The Benefits of Proper Tooth Alignment
While having a more beautiful smile is often a motivating factor, there are several health benefits to adult orthodontics. Straighter teeth are easier to keep clean, which can help you preserve the health of your teeth for life. Straighter teeth are less likely to develop gum disease and tooth decay, and make it easier to conduct restorations and treatments should those conditions develop.
Another factor is proper bite alignment. When your top and bottom teeth do not align properly, this can lead to having teeth that are more fragile and more prone to cracking and worn-down enamel. Dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is also more common with improper bite alignment. Many people think of a popping or clicking sound when they hear “TMJ disorder,” but this condition can actually lead to painful chronic headaches and jaw pain. Straightening the teeth can help you ensure you don’t develop this painful condition.
Shorter Treatment Times
In the past, treatment timelines for braces were often measured in years. Today, things have improved so much that we measure treatment plans in months, instead. Depending on individual alignment issues, many patients can complete their treatment in as little as 12 months. (The average timeline is about 12-18 months.)
How is this possible? With Invisalign, your smile can be corrected faster than with traditional braces because the treatment plan moves faster. You get a new set of aligners every two weeks. As long as you wear the aligners for the required daily amount of 20-22 hours, you will move on to the next step in just 14 days. With braces, you must come to the office every month to have the wires tightened, and this really cannot be rushed. Because Invisalign works differently, the timeline is faster.
We also have something called accelerators you can use to speed up your treatment by up to 30-50 percent. In recent years we have discovered that subtle vibrations can be applied to the jaw to help the bone and teeth heal and respond faster to orthodontics. These painless accelerators can be purchased for home use (AcceleDent) or used in Dr. Markham’s office (Propel) to make your adult orthodontics work better and faster.
It’s Never Too Late to Fix Your Smile!
As long as your teeth are in a good state of health, it’s really never too late to straighten your teeth. In just a year or so, Dr. Markham can help take your smile from “crowded and crooked” to “balanced and symmetrical.” Our adult orthodontics, Sacramento CA, patients love the way they look when the treatment is complete and enjoy the confidence boost that a more attractive smile can bring.