Adult Treatment
Starting orthodontic treatment as an adult can feel overwhelming, but 35% of our patients are adults! There are great treatment options available for you. The fact is that orthodontic treatment can be successful and rewarding at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile. A lot of patients who receive orthodontic treatment are over the age of 21. Adults may have experienced some breakdown or loss of their teeth and bone that supports the teeth, and may require periodontal treatment before, during, and/or after orthodontic treatment.
A consultation with Dr. Dumore can help to answer questions and concerns you may have about adult braces and creating the smile you always wanted and would be proud to show off.
Braces for Adults
Orthodontic treatment is generally thought of as a teenage rite of passage for most youth. Braces are not only for teens. Increasingly adults are seeking orthodontics whether they missed getting the work they needed done earlier, or if they are still unsatisfied with their appearance or function. The Canadian Association of Orthodontists states that one in five orthodontic patients is over the age of 21.
Dr. Dumore & Team Orthodontics can give you a smile to feel confident about, at any age. We would love to discuss your options with you following a consultation.
Why should I get my teeth straightened?
Dr. Dumore is finding that many adults are choosing to receive orthodontic treatment for a few reasons:
- Patients are increasingly learning and understanding the importance of maintaining their dental health.
- Patients want to feel better about their appearance, and adjusting the look of your teeth makes a large impact on your appearance.
- Patients want to improve their function, and not make dietary changes based on the status of their teeth. A common dental disorder is TMJ problems and malocclusion disorders, which can affect your function.
When treatment begins early, the orthodontist may be able to guide the growth of the jaw and guide incoming permanent teeth. Early treatment can also regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches, gain space for permanent teeth, avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions, reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth, correct thumb-sucking, and eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems. In other words, early treatment can simplify later treatment.
Consultation appointments for children are quick and easy and will give you peace of mind knowing that early intervention can be done if needed.
No referral is necessary, just call the office to book a consultation with Dr. Dumore & Team!
Common reasons for adult patients seeking orthodontic treatment
Some of the most common reasons a patient may inquire or seek orthodontic treatment includes:
- The patient has a misaligned bite, known as a malocclusion, this dental problem means that the patient’s teeth do not fit together like they should. There may even be gaps when closing your mouth.
- The patient may have gaps between their teeth, or find that their teeth are overcrowded, pushing some teeth awkwardly out of alignment and allowing for hidden spots for bacteria to remain and cause decay.
- The patient may be experiencing abnormal jaw tiredness or pain, common symptoms for patients suffering with TMJ disorders. A jaw out of alignment has even been associated with ear pain and migraines.
- Patients want a smile that they can feel proud to share.
Orthodontic treatment options for adults
Many of our adult patients feel that they have surpassed the age when having metal braces is socially acceptable. We don’t want you to be discouraged from seeking the orthodontic work that you need. There are options available.
Today’s orthodontic treatment options offer both variations in traditional metal braces, clear braces and clear aligners.
A large difference between orthodontic work for adults and children or teens is the status of the jawbone. We are able to more easily manipulate a younger teens jaw as it is still growing.
An adult’s jawbone is grown. This may mean that we need to surgically alter the positioning of their jaw through orthognathic surgery to align the jawbones. Other differences include preparatory work.
We may need to deal with gum disease, or missing teeth, or other restoration work before proceeding with the orthodontic process.
We offer these various types of braces:
- Clear Braces: Also known as ceramic braces. This system works much the same way as traditional metal braces, the only difference is in the material we use. Ceramic braces use the same size and shape brackets as metal braces, using tooth-colored or clear brackets that blend help them blend in with your teeth.
- Clear Aligners: Clear Aligners is a system of clear plastic aligners that are customized to fit your teeth. We create a model of your teeth in their current position, and a model of your teeth in the desired position. Then Dr. Dumore creates a series of aligners that are designed to slowly move your teeth into that position, with changing the aligner every so often to the next one in the series. This system has many benefits, not only is it invisible, it also means less time in the chair, we are able to schedule far fewer office visits, saving you time and money.
- Traditional Metal Braces: Time tested, the traditional metal braces have been a standard in orthodontics. Our metal braces are small and easier to clean around. We can place coloured elastics over the brackets!
At Dr. Dumore & Team Orthodontics, we recognize that adults and children have different needs, and require different styles of attention and care. Our team will work with you to ensure you receive the appropriate treatments and options, we want your needs to be met with understanding and respect from us.
Dr. Tim Dumore is available to answer all of your questions about braces and the various options to straighten your teeth.
For more information, contact our Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada office at: 204-832-3910.