If you tend to associate orthodontics with teens in braces, you’re not alone. While adolescence is a common time to begin treatment, the truth is that more adults than ever are looking to improve their smile by correcting issues they’ve been struggling with for years. In fact, adults currently make up about 20% of all new orthodontic patients!
If you’ve spent a lifetime feeling self-conscious about how your teeth look or function, there’s never been a better time to explore how Petrunic Orthodontics can help. We have a variety of treatment options available to correct a range of issues, including crooked teeth, overbites, underbites, incorrect jaw positioning, and more.
To help you make the best decision for your smile, we’re going to take a closer look at what orthodontics actually is, what treatment options are available to our adult patients, and how our talented team can help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. To learn more, keep reading below!
What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a dental specialty. Therefore, an orthodontist is a dentist who has also received 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.
An experienced orthodontist like Dr. Petrunic will work with you to diagnose, prevent, and treat any dental or facial abnormalities. If you have orthodontic issues that are left untreated over time, they may eventually lead to premature wear and tear on the teeth, gum tissue, and bone. This can result in pain in the face and neck area, headaches, and even difficulties with chewing or speaking. Dr. Petrunic is able to diagnose and treat these kinds of issues, which will improve both the function and appearance of your smile.
Why are more adults now considering orthodontic treatment?
Everyone has their own reasons for looking into orthodontics as an adult. A big reason is that we often gain a better understanding of how our oral health is linked to our total body health as we get older. This knowledge often leads people to seek out dental or orthodontic treatment that will allow them to take better care of their teeth and gums.
Many adult patients have also received orthodontic treatment earlier in life that was never completed, and now wish 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, there are multiple treatment options available, including monitoring the teeth, providing new retainers, or re-treating with braces or aligners.
There are also adults who have never had treatment before, but are simply looking to improve the cosmetic appearance of their smile. This can boost their confidence and self-esteem, and may even have a positive impact on their personal and professional lives. Our team fully supports any reason you may have for considering orthodontic treatment for yourself!
What treatment options are available for adult patients?
No matter what reason you have for reaching out to an orthodontist, there are more treatment options available to you now than ever before! Petrunic Orthodontics offers the following treatments for a total smile transformation.
Traditional metal braces
Traditional metal braces are an orthodontic staple, and with good reason! This is one of our most efficient treatments, 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
These function in much the same way traditional braces do, but use ceramic brackets instead of metal ones. The brackets can be clear, white, or tooth-colored, and for an almost invisible treatment option, can be used with elastics or ties that are also clear, white, or tooth-colored. Clear braces can be an excellent choice for image-conscious patients, but because they are more delicate than metal braces, we generally only recommend them for older teens and adults.
Invisalign clear aligner therapy
Instead of brackets and bands, the Invisalign system uses a series of clear, customized, removable aligners. These are custom-designed to fit snugly over torthodontihe teeth, and gently move 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.
Each one of these options can be an excellent fit for adults with a busy lifestyle. Dr. Petrunic will always take your unique needs into account before recommending the best treatment method for your smile.
Get the healthy smile you’ve always wanted with Petrunic Orthodontics
We go beyond cookie-cutter care here at Petrunic Orthodontics! Every smile we treat is unique, and we know that what works for one patient may not work for another. This is one reason it’s so important to choose an experienced orthodontist you trust. Dr. Petrunic will create a customized treatment plan for you based on your specific needs, and you can always count on us for a positive orthodontic experience and beautiful results that last!
Our Prattville office is committed to providing patients of all ages with the latest in orthodontic technique and technology. We’ve been creating amazing smiles in our community for years, and would love the chance to do the same for you! If you’re ready to take the first step towards achieving the smile you’ve always dreamed of, get in touch with us today to schedule a FREE consultation with Dr. Petrunic.
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