Adult Treatment

Benefits of Adult Orthodontics

Many adults did not receive proper orthodontic care during their adolescence. But, it is never too late to get the smile you’ve always wanted. By getting braces or an alternative treatment, you can:

  • Improve the health of your mouth, from tooth to gum.
  • Fix misaligned teeth that can cause serious problems.
  • Gain a better understanding of your health through quality care.
  • Be confident in your smile.

Having an incorrect bite or teeth out of place can dramatically increase the chances of health issues including gastrointestinal problems, headaches, and ear pain. When your bite is not correct, teeth will gradually shift, causing other health concerns such as tooth decay, bite problems, TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders, headaches, and more. Dr. Prentice uses state-of-the-art imaging systems to diagnose issues early, and will help you establish a personalized treatment plan to help prevent these issues later on.

If having metal on your teeth seems too unsightly, keep in mind that braces don’t have the same stigma as when you were a kid. The days of hiding your braces or being embarrassed about them are long gone. Now there are fun, colored options that can add flair to any metal braces. From now on, consider “metal mouth” a compliment.

Prentice Orthodontics offers orthodontic treatments to fit any lifestyle. Alternatives to metal braces, including Invisalign®, clear aligners, and translucent ceramic braces are lighter, less noticeable, more comfortable options. Recent technological advancements make braces and aligners more effective, which reduces the number of visits to your orthodontist. Our office works with you to meet your scheduling and budgetary needs.

Invisalign® for Adults

If you aren’t sold on traditional treatment options, take a look at Invisalign® clear aligners. These barely noticeable, non-permanent aligners are easy to take on and off and can fix problems quickly.

Advantages

  • Invisalign® aligners are hard to notice.
  • Invisalign® aligners are removable for eating and brushing.
  • Fewer appointments.
  • No emergency visits for broken brackets or wires that are poking out uncomfortably.
  • Invisalign® aligners won’t interrupt your normal brushing and flossing routine.

Responsibilities

  • Remove aligners before eating and drinking anything but water.
  • Brush and floss after each meal or snack. Any food or sugary drinks left on your teeth will be held there by the aligner and can lead to tooth decay.
  • You must wear your aligners for 22 hours per day.
  • If you don’t keep track of your Invisalign® aligners, they can be misplaced or lost.

Ceramic Braces for Adults

Improve your smile without hurting your self-esteem using subtle ceramic braces. Ceramic braces are just like metal braces, except that they have clear or tooth-colored brackets that blend into the color of your teeth.

Advantages

  • Obtain excellent results with ceramic braces.
  • You can enjoy wearing fashionable, colored braces.
  • Unlike aligners, ceramic braces are permanent and won’t get lost or misplaced.
  • Ceramic braces are less noticeable than metal.
  • Ceramic braces are attached to teeth, so you won’t lose them.

Responsibilities

  • Require consistently good hygiene and care.
  • Restrictions on some types of food.
  • Ceramic braces are more expensive than metal.
  • They fracture more easily than metal braces.

Metal Braces for Adults

If having metal on your teeth seems too unsightly, keep in mind that braces don’t have the same stigma as when you were a kid. The days of hiding your braces or being embarrassed about them are long gone. Now there are fun, colored options that can add flair to any metal braces. From now on, consider “metal mouth” a compliment.

Advantages

  • Obtain excellent results with metal braces.
  • Enjoy wearing fashionable, colored braces.
  • Unlike aligners, braces are permanent and won’t get lost or misplaced.

Responsibilities

  • Require consistently good hygiene and care.
  • Restrictions on some types of food.