A healthy and beautiful smile is a powerful tool that gives you the confidence to accomplish great things. When your teeth are crooked or misaligned it affects both your self-esteem and your oral health. Crooked teeth are harder to keep clean, and put you at risk for issues such as gum disease and tooth decay. At Paraiso Family Dental & Orthodontics, we know that orthodontics benefits both adults and children. Here are the key differences between adult and kids’ orthodontics.
Orthodontics for Children
When it comes to orthodontics, children often have an advantage over adults. This is because they’re still developing, and many orthodontic treatments can be completed early on to ensure that their bite is aligned while the teeth and jaw are still growing. This often reduces the time your child will have to spend in braces later on. A beautiful and healthy smile is a priceless gift that will take your child far in life.
Orthodontics for Adults
Adults may also benefit from orthodontics, however Dr. Gary Chaffee understands that not all adults are motivated to wear traditional metal brackets and wires. For this reason, we also offer Invisalign to our adult patients. Invisalign utilizes clear plastic aligners to apply gentle pressure and gradually straighten your teeth.
Aligners must be worn 20-22 hours per day and changed every two weeks. They fit snugly and are comfortable to wear so they’re virtually invisible and don’t interfere with your normal daily activities while aligning your smile. Because they’re easily removed for brushing and flossing, there are no restrictions to your diet, or changes to your home care as there would be with traditional braces.
Some adults may require corrections to their bite, in which case Dr. Chaffee may recommend traditional braces in Newbury Park. He can determine which type of orthodontics will best suit your needs with an examination and x-rays. At Paraiso Family Dental & Orthodontics, we’re here to guide you through any type of orthodontics you may require.
If you’ve considered aligning your teeth, we invite you to contact our office to schedule your consultation with Dr. Chaffee today. A new smile is just a phone call away!