Your Guide To Adult Orthodontic Treatment

When most people think of orthodontic treatment, they immediately picture a teenager wearing metal braces. This stereotype has been very persistent, however, it isn’t completely true. While we do see many teen patients here at Williams & Hamman Orthodontics, the number of adults seeking orthodontic treatment is growing every single day! Today, about 1 in every 3 patients is over the age of 18. To accommodate this change in demographic, we’ve got your guide to adult orthodontic treatment. 

Every day Dr. Williams and Dr. Hamman consult with adult patients who have spent a lifetime unhappy with their smiles. Thankfully, it’s never too late to achieve the smile of your dreams with orthodontic treatment! If you’ve spent a lifetime feeling unhappy with the way your teeth look or function, there’s never been a better time to look into all the benefits that treatment can offer. Let’s take a closer look at what’s driving the increase in adult patients and how orthodontics can help you achieve a confident smile of your own!

Understanding the importance of a healthy smile

Most teens in braces or aligners begin orthodontic treatment because their parents chose it for them. While younger patients are certainly able to understand the importance of treatment—and often love the final results—adults typically have a better “real world” understanding of how braces or aligners can positively impact their lives.

It’s also very common to learn more about the many ways our oral health is connected to our total body health as we get older. This leads some adults to seek out orthodontic treatment to keep their smiles in the best shape possible. With your guide to adult orthodontic treatment, you’ll be able to fully grasp the investment of orthodontic treatment truly and how it can improve oral health and increase self-confidence! 

Protect your smile long-term

Of course, braces and aligners can improve the cosmetic appearance of nearly any smile, but the benefits go so much deeper! Crooked or crowded teeth can make it difficult to brush and floss effectively, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Misalignment can even cause excess wear on the teeth and enamel, which may lead to chronic headaches, jaw aches, and pain in the face and neck.

Orthodontic treatment with Williams & Hamman Orthodontics can reduce or eliminate these symptoms and help protect you from serious oral health problems in the future. This will not only give you a healthier smile with improved function, but it can also mean major financial savings! That’s definitely something adults with bills to pay can appreciate.

A variety of treatment options are now available

Not so long ago, metal braces were essentially the only option for anyone looking to straighten their smile. Today, we have multiple ways to align the teeth and jaws! Our doctors are proud to offer the following treatments for a complete smile transformation.

Metal Braces

Metal braces have undergone some pretty major changes in recent years. The brackets are much smaller and no longer wrap around the entire tooth. Thinner archwires are used to move the teeth with more comfort and speed. You can even put a pop of personality into your treatment journey by choosing fun colors for your elastic bands! Metal braces have a long track record of success and can be ideal for treating more serious or complex cases. They also tend to be the most economical treatment option.

Clear Braces

Clear braces are the same shape and size as metal braces but have the added benefit of translucent or tooth-colored brackets that blend in with your natural smile. When paired with clear, white, or tooth-colored elastics, they provide a very subtle treatment option for our image-conscious patients! While ceramic brackets are durable, they can be more prone to breakage than metal brackets. For this reason, we tend to recommend them for our older teen and adult patients. 

Invisalign clear aligners

Instead of brackets and wires, Invisalign uses a series of clear removable aligners to move the teeth. These are made from a special material called SmartTrack and are customized to fit snugly, but comfortably, over your teeth. Because they’re removable, they provide adult patients with more freedom and flexibility than braces. You’ll be able to eat as you normally would with no food restrictions and dental hygiene is a breeze to maintain. When worn as directed by your orthodontist, Invisalign can be just as effective as braces at correcting many of the most common orthodontic issues.

Affordable financing options

We believe everyone should have access to high-quality orthodontic care. That’s why we make it easier than ever to achieve a confident new smile, thanks to a range of affordable treatment options to fit every budget! We know how confusing the financial side of treatment can be, and our goal is to make it an easy and stress-free process for you. At Williams & Hamman Orthodontics, we offer low down payments and convenient online payment options, as well as discounts for treatment that is paid in full. We also accept most major insurance plans in Indiana. For your convenience, our team is always available to help you with claims and paperwork.

Get a healthy smile for life with Williams & Hamman Orthodontics

You’re never too old to take advantage of all the benefits orthodontics has to offer! Whatever your age, our expert team is here to help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. This guide to adult orthodontic treatment is your first step. If you’re in Southaven, Olive Branch, or the surrounding areas, get in touch! We’d love to schedule you for a FREE consultation with Dr. Williams, Dr. Hamman, and our team. 

You don’t have to settle for a less-than-satisfying smile. Our team will help you take the first step towards improved oral health and a smile you’ll want to share with everyone around you. Let’s get started today!