These days, getting braces doesn’t necessarily mean you’re that awkward teenager with a mouth full of metal. People of all ages are choosing to adjust their smiles, and many adults are taking advantage of new treatment options outside of the typical metal braces. In fact, the team at Cavanaugh & Nondorf Orthodontics has seen an increase in adult patients seeking that picture-perfect smile, and they’re having fun doing it.
“Over the last decade or so, we’ve seen a 10 to 15 percent increase in adults getting braces, since there are now more aesthetically pleasing options for braces,” said Dr. Robert Cavanaugh, D.D.S.
“The average age for adults who are getting braces is between 30 and 40 years old, but we’re also seeing people in their 70s and even 80s,” said Dr. Matthew Nondorf, D.D.S. “Some of those people had braces as teenagers and had a relapse from braces they wanted to correct.”
The thought of having metal braces is enough to discourage some from seeking treatment, but today’s orthodontic treatment options offer a variety of braces and oral appliances that are comfortable, aesthetically more pleasing, and customized to meet your needs. Cavanaugh & Nondorf Orthodontics offers a variety of styles, materials, and colors of braces. The practice’s most common options include ceramic braces that blend in with your teeth, invisible braces, and traditional metal braces.
“With all the options that are available on the market, braces are more comfortable than ever before,” Nondorf said. “Each type of braces comes with many customizable options for clients to choose from, in a variety of colors.”
“Patients always seem to have fun when it comes time to customize their braces to their liking,” Cavanaugh said. “We have one client who let her grandkids pick the color of her braces.”
For an adult, treatment through braces may take anywhere from six months to a year or more depending on the severity of the patient’s teeth.
For younger patients getting braces, the jawbones are still developing. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends visiting the orthodontist around age 7. By then, most children have started to lose their baby teeth and inherit their adult teeth, which makes it easier for orthodontists to diagnose and correct tooth and jaw problems early, without surgery. Early treatment allows the orthodontist to:
- create additional space for crowded teeth
- correct thumb sucking and help improve minor speech problems
- regulate the width of the upper and lower arches
- correct and guide the growth of your child’s jaw to help the permanent teeth come in straight
- avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions later in life.
Cavanaugh & Nondorf Orthodontics makes getting braces as convenient and efficient as possible.
“When a patient comes in for a consultation, we take pictures of their mouth, take X-rays using our new state-of-the-art machine, do a clinical exam, take molds, then we discuss treatment,” Nondorf said. “From there, we’re able to install the braces right away.”
Cavanaugh & Nondorf Orthodontics understands adults and children have different needs and require a different level of care. Their expert team will work with you to ensure you receive the proper treatments to meet your needs and expectations.
To contact Cavanaugh & Nondorf Orthodontics to schedule a consultation, call (219)-476-4110. For more information or to get to know the practice, visit them online at http://www.cnorthodontics.com/.
