If the first thing you think of when you hear the word orthodontics is a teen in braces, you’re not alone. This stereotype has been incredibly persistent over the years! Many people are unaware that orthodontic treatment can actually be beneficial for patients of all ages, including adults. In fact, we’ve recently seen a significant uptick in the number of adults seeking orthodontic treatment to straighten their smile and correct oral issues they’ve struggled with for years. If you’re an adult who’s been considering treatment, you may be wondering, “am I too old for braces?”
If this sounds like you, Bigman Orthodontics has some great news! With about 1 in every 5 orthodontic patients currently over the age of 18, there’s never been a better time to explore how braces can be used to transform your smile! If you’ve spent your life feeling unhappy or self-conscious about how your teeth look or function, Dr. Sandy Bigman offers a variety of treatment options to correct crooked teeth, overbites, underbites, incorrect jaw positioning, and more. Let’s take a look at what orthodontics actually is and how it can help you achieve the smile you’ve always dreamed of!
What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a dental specialty. Therefore an orthodontist is a dentist who also has years of additional education and training in:
identifying and correcting bite abnormalities
successfully straightening teeth
correcting misaligned jaws
and improving the overall function of the mouth.
Experienced orthodontists like Dr. Bigman are trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent dental and facial abnormalities. When these types of issues are left untreated, they can get worse over time, leading to premature wear and tear on the teeth, gum tissue, and bone. This may result in pain in your face and neck area, headaches, and even difficulties with chewing or speaking. Orthodontists are able to diagnose and treat these types of issues, which can improve both the function and appearance of your smile.
Why are more adults now choosing orthodontic treatment?
There are many reasons that more adults have been exploring orthodontic treatment in recent years. Oftentimes as we begin getting older, we gain a better understanding of how our oral health is linked to our total body health. For some people, this knowledge encourages them to take action by seeking out dental or orthodontic treatment that will help them to better care for their teeth and gums.
Some adult patients have also received orthodontic treatment earlier in life that was never completed, and now they want to finish the process. Touch-up treatment is extremely common, as well. Teeth that were straightened in a patient’s younger years can shift over time due to age, genetics, or improper retainer use. In these cases, we have multiple ways to treat the patient, including monitoring the teeth, providing new retainers, or re-treating with braces or aligners in San Ramon.
Then there are the adults who have never had orthodontic treatment but simply desire to improve the cosmetic appearance of their smile. This can result in a boost in their confidence and self-esteem, and may even have a positive impact on their personal and professional lives. We’re big fans of all the reasons adults seek treatment later in life!
What treatment options are available for adult patients?
Whatever your reason for seeking out orthodontic treatment as an adult, you now have more treatment options available to you than ever before! Bigman Orthodontics offers the following treatments for a total smile transformation:
Traditional metal braces
Traditional metal braces are an orthodontic staple and for good reason! This is one of our most effective and efficient treatment methods, particularly for more severe or complicated cases. Modern braces use high-quality stainless steel, but innovations in the design mean they’re much more comfortable than previous versions. The total treatment time also tends to be shorter than it used to be.
Clear braces
Clear braces function much the same way as traditional braces, but they use ceramic brackets instead of metal ones. These brackets can be clear, white, or tooth-colored, and are tie-less for a nearly invisible treatment option. Clear braces can be an excellent choice for patients who are more image-conscious, but because they are more delicate than metal braces, we generally only recommend them for older teens and adults.
Invisalign clear aligner therapy
The Invisalign system uses a series of clear, customized, removable aligners, so there’s no need for the metal wires and rubber bands involved with traditional braces. These aligners are custom-designed to fit snugly over your teeth and gently guide them into the desired positions over time. Aligners are made of a soft but strong thermoplastic resin and are replaced with the next in the series every 1-2 weeks to keep up with the shifting teeth.
Any of these options can be a great fit for busy adults! Dr. Bigman will always take your unique needs, lifestyle, and goals into consideration when recommending the treatment method he feels would be the best fit for your smile.
Get the smile you’ve always dreamed of with Bigman Orthodontics
You won’t find any “one size fits all” treatments here at Bigman Orthodontics. Our team knows that every smile is unique and that some treatment methods will be more suitable than others for certain patients. This is one reason it’s so important to choose an experienced orthodontist like Dr. Bigman. He will create a customized treatment plan for you based on your specific needs, ensuring your orthodontic experience is rewarding and stress-free from start to finish.
Our talented team is committed to providing patients of all ages with the latest in orthodontic techniques and technology. Dr. Bigman has been creating award-winning smiles in San Ramon and the surrounding communities for decades and would love to do the same for you! If you’re ready to take the first step on your journey towards a better smile, get in touch with us today to schedule a FREE consultation with Dr. Bigman!