It’s fall, the kids are back in school – is it time to think about your own healthcare priorities? Did you know that more than ever, adults are seeking orthodontic care to improve their oral health and keep their teeth for a lifetime?
20 years ago, many adults would never have considered getting braces – no matter what the health benefits. It was just too difficult in professional and social situations to have metal wires and brackets for a large majority of adults.
Enter the groundbreaking disruptive technology: Invisalign clear aligners.
Now that we have an option that’s aesthetic to wear, and works just as well as braces, more adults can take advantage of getting orthodontic care to improve their overall oral health.
Health Benefits of Orthodontics for Adults
Dentistry is an ever-evolving profession, and new technology is being developed constantly. With every advance in the field, we are able to diagnose and treat more conditions effectively. Dentistry is all about preventing problems before they become worse.
One of the best preventative treatments in dentistry is moving your teeth to a healthier position with orthodontics. Not many adults know that orthodontics doesn’t just make your teeth “look” better – it actually keeps you healthier overall!
Here’s a few ways straightening your teeth does this:
- As we age, our teeth tend to crowd – especially the bottom front teeth. The overlapping teeth make it hard to brush and floss in those areas. Also, the most harmful bacteria develops in the crowded areas, and this puts you at risk for gum infection or “periodontal disease.”
- Advanced periodontal disease can have a negative influence on your overall health because the bacteria gets right into your blood stream through your gums.
- When your teeth are positioned at bad angles, they start to damage each other when they come together hundreds of times a day. This can cause abnormal wear and trauma which can lead to chipping and breaking teeth, and even tooth loss.
- There are other functional issues that can arise from a bad bite such as jaw pain or TMD/TMJ problems. Sleep apnea can also be related to the positioning of your teeth.
What is Invisalign Therapy Like?
Now that you understand some of the health benefits of orthodontics for adults, what is the reality of treatment?
We treat many adults with Invisalign therapy in our office – and overwhelmingly they tell us it’s an easy and positive experience. You start treatment by taking a digital scan and pictures of your teeth.
Then I create a customized treatment plan with advanced digital technology. I’ve committed my practice and education to being an expert on Invisalign and can treat most cases to a perfect finish with this appliance. We also proudly offer accelerated orthodontic technology for our adult patients who want to finish up to 2X as fast!
You’ll wear your aligners all day and night – except when you eat, brush and floss. You’ll change to your next aligner at home every 1-2 weeks. We typically see you in the office every 6-10 weeks for checkups depending on your schedule and compliance. When we get to the end of your main series of aligners, we’ll evaluate whether you’re finished or need any extra detailing aligners.
When you are satisfied and have a perfect functional result, we’ll get you the best retainers on the market to help keep your teeth straight for life.
Can I Fit Orthodontics Into My Busy Life?
Many of our adult patients are busy working parents – and they worry that this will be too much of a commitment for them. We understand! Fortunately we’ve seen thousands of adults in our own practice successfully complete Invisalign treatment. It’s much easier than you may think!
Every day we have adult patients tell us how happy they are that they went through treatment, and it wasn’t as disruptive to their lives as they thought it would be.
Give us a call today to schedule your complimentary consultation to learn more about adult orthodontics! Ask about our family discounts if you have kids already in treatment with us. Come check out our new office in Los Altos, where we have private operatory bays for our adult patients. We’re looking forward to treating you and helping you maximize your dental health for life!
