ADULT ORTHODONTICS
It is never too late to enjoy your perfect smile!
Did you know that 1 in 4 orthodontic patients are adults? Crooked teeth and a misaligned bite can lead to gum recession, bone loss, tooth decay, tooth wear, difficulty chewing, headaches and jaw joint (TMJ/TMD) pain. Luckily, teeth can be straightened at ANY age. With orthodontics for adults, you can improve your tooth alignment and bite to reduce the risk of developing these dental problems.
If you are looking for an adult orthodontist, Dr. Godley enjoys treating adults and working with you to achieve your smile goals. Whether the focus is on improving your smile, giving you a functional bite, or preventing future dental problems, our orthodontist will evaluate your smile and map out a plan that focuses on your goals.
With modern and esthetic options such as clear aligners, clear braces, and hidden lingual braces, you are sure to find one that easily fits into your lifestyle. Modern braces for adults and aligners for adults are more esthetic and comfortable than ever. During your complimentary consultation, our orthodontist can provide a smile evaluation and offer solutions to fit your budget, lifestyle, and needs.
Full treatment isn't right for everyone - and that's okay.
Healthy teeth can be moved at any age
It is a common misconception that orthodontic treatment is only for children and teens. Teeth naturally continue to shift into adulthood, which can result in crooked teeth, misalignment of the bite, poor tooth angulation, or other side effects. Whether you are unhappy with your smile or bite for cosmetic or health reasons, it is never too late to seek improvement with adult braces or adult Invisalign.
ORTHODONTIC OPTIONS FOR ADULTS
Comfortable, esthetic options
Orthodontic treatment is an option for almost any adult. Advances in ortho technology have made adult braces and adult aligners more comfortable and less noticeable than ever. Many of today's modern treatment options are designed to minimize the appearance of appliances to better fit your lifestyle. Whether it is transparent braces or Invisalign, you are sure to find an esthetic, comfortable treatment that is right for you. Our orthodontist can help inform you of your options.
Splint therapy
How is adult orthodontics different from child orthodontics?
The biggest difference in orthodontics for adults versus children/teens is that adults are no longer growing. Adult braces or clear aligners may take slightly longer due to maturity and density of the bone. Some medications and habits, such as clenching/grinding or tongue thrusting, can affect the outcomes of treatment.
It is common for orthodontists to work alongside a patient's dentist and sometimes other specialists to coordinate care.
Common Orthodontic Problems in Adults
Crowding
Overcrowding can occur when the supporting jaw bone cannot support the amount or size of the teeth, resulting in overlapping.
Overbite
Excessive overbite, known as a deep bite, refers to too much overlap of upper and lower front teeth. This can occur when the bite is misaligned.
Underbite
An underbite is when the lower front teeth sit ahead or forward of the upper front teeth. This is also called a class III malocclusion, or anterior crossbite.
Protrusion
Protruding teeth, or excessive overjet, refers to teeth that stick out further ahead than ideal.
Jaw Pain
There are several causes of jaw pain, including a misaligned bite, habits, stress, trauma, and neural conditions.
Open Bite
An open bite is a malocclusion in which teeth are apart and do not make contact with each other.
Toothwear
Although all teeth can wear down over time, misaligned teeth wear unevenly and more quickly than those in an ideal position.
Crossbite
When teeth connect in an opposite way, this is called a crossbite. Crossbite can occur with front or back teeth. Misaligned teeth wear unevenly over time.
Misaligned Bite
A misaligned bite, or malocclusion, occurs when upper teeth do not ideally align with lower teeth. These are classified as Class I, Class II, or Class III.