Orthodontic Treatment for Adults

Regardless of your age, you deserve a healthy smile that you feel confident about. There are many patients who begin orthodontic treatment during adulthood, and after achieving a straight smile, you can enjoy a surge in self-confidence and improved oral health. In fact, according to the American Association of Orthodontics, 1 in 4 orthodontic patients is an adult.

At Full Smile Orthodontics, we see many adults for treatment and offer a variety of orthodontic services to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. Dr. Astuto is a board-certified orthodontist and will create a custom care plan for you based on your orthodontic concerns and smile goals. contact our office in Amarillo, Childress, Dalhart, or Hereford, TX, to begin your journey to a straighter, healthier smile.

Why Adult Orthodontic Treatment Is Important

Straight teeth and a healthy bite are essential parts of good oral health at any age. Every tooth plays a specific role in oral function, and when they are not properly aligned, it can be challenging to eat or speak correctly. A straight smile plays a big part in your self-confidence, and adults who struggle with their teeth may avoid showing their teeth in pictures or feel the need to hide their smile.

Investing in orthodontics as an adult will benefit your smile for the rest of your life. When the teeth are aligned properly, they are easier to clean, which improves your oral hygiene and reduces the risk of cavities or infections. Straight teeth also contribute to a healthy bite, which is important considering you use your teeth to bite and chew food every day. After completing treatment, our adult patients experience a surge in self-confidence and love showing off their new smile. Many adults are excited during treatment too, as they begin to notice improvements in the way their teeth and jaws align.

Teeth can be moved at any age, so there is no upper age limit for achieving a straight smile through orthodontics. However, treatment as an adult can be slightly different than treatment with younger patients. With children and teens, the teeth and jaws are still developing, which makes it easier to align them and their treatment times are often faster. With adults, the facial bones are already developed, so it may take slightly longer to achieve the desired results.

Do I Need Orthodontic Treatment?

Adults can have the same types of orthodontic conditions as children, all of which can be managed with orthodontics. If any of these conditions are present in your smile, you may benefit from orthodontic treatment:

• Overcrowding
• Overbite
• Underbite
• Open bite
• Crossbite
• Gaps between teeth
• Crooked teeth
• General teeth misalignment

Treatment Options for Adults

Dr. Astuto offers a variety of orthodontic treatments for adults. The right option for you will depend on the severity of the issues you wish to fix and your preference. During the first visit, we will take 3D scans of your teeth, discuss your treatment options, and outline the details of your custom care plan.

Braces

Braces are a type of orthodontic appliance that uses brackets and wires to move teeth by applying pressure. The brackets are bonded to the surfaces of the teeth and connected with an arch wire. During checkups, we will tighten the wire, which puts new pressure on the teeth, forcing them to move into proper alignment. Braces can correct a number of issues, including more severe orthodontic problems like impacted teeth, large caps, or rotated teeth.

You also have options for choosing the right type of braces for you. At Full Smile Orthodontics, we offer traditional metal braces, ceramic braces, and lingual braces to suit your needs and preference. The length of your braces treatment will depend on the issues you are looking to correct. Some patients complete their braces treatment in about a year, while others require several years.

Invisalign

Invisalign uses clear plastic aligners to move teeth. Similar to braces, these aligners place pressure on the teeth to move them into proper alignment. You will receive a new set of aligners every 2 weeks, each with small adjustments made that continue applying pressure to the teeth. The aligners are virtually invisible, so most people won’t tell you’re wearing them. They are also completely removable, which many patients find convenient. You will take out your aligners to eat and brush, then wear them at all other hours of the day and night.

Invisalign can correct many of the same issues as braces, although they cannot rotate a tooth beyond 20 degrees, help an impacted tooth erupt, or close very large gaps between teeth. With clear aligners, you are in full control of your treatment. The more you wear them, the faster you will see results. Some patients complete Invisalign treatment in as fast as 6 months.

How Can I Afford Orthodontic Treatment?

At Full Smile Orthodontics, we stay flexible and offer many options to help make orthodontic treatment accessible to more patients. We accept many types of payment options and there is financing available to help you pay off the cost of your treatment over time. Your insurance may cover a portion of your orthodontic care. The details of your coverage will depend on your insurance plan, and we recommend contacting your insurance provider directly to find out the extent of your coverage.

During your first visit, we will provide you with a cost estimate for your treatment and outline all of your payment and financing options. You will always know what to expect, and our staff is happy to answer questions regarding payments or insurance. Contact our practice today to explore your payment options and to receive a cost estimate for your orthodontic treatment.

Orthodontic Treatment for Adults in Amarillo, Childress, Dalhart, and Hereford, TX

It is never too late to invest in your oral health and happiness. If you are an adult who seeks a straighter, healthier smile, contact Full Smile Orthodontics today to explore your treatment options. We have offices in Amarillo, Childress, Dalhart, and Hereford, TX, and proudly provide orthodontic solutions to patients of all ages in the Texas Panhandle.