The Ultimate Guide to Adult Braces

Parents — especially moms– invest enormous time and energy into their children. This year, we invite our patient parents to invest in themselves. We want you to feel confident and emboldened — and a beautiful smile can do just that. After all the effort you put into work and family, you deserve to treat yourself.

So why don’t you consider adult orthodontics?  While childhood is considered the ideal time to correct teeth positioning, here at Sturgill Orthodontics more than 30% of our patients are adults seeking to improve their smiles. Maybe you didn’t have braces as a child or maybe you didn’t wear your retainer as well as you should have. Whatever your needs, know that adult braces or clear aligners like Invisalign will improve your life. In fact, adult orthodontics may be necessary for your long term dental health. 

“You only get one life — and one set of teeth! Don’t hesitate to take care of yourself!”

Five Reasons You Should Consider Adult Braces:

Oral Health Concerns

By alleviating crowding and misalignment, orthodontics can improve the longevity of your teeth. Misalignment of teeth causes unnecessary and avoidable wear on your dentition. For some patients, orthodontics can even alleviate problems such as TMJ/TMD.

Cosmetics

People notice a bright friendly smile. If you feel embarrassed by your smile, you could be misrepresenting your own great attributes. Don’t sell yourself short! A beautiful smile could give you a confidence boost and improve your personal and professional relationships.

Invisible Treatment

Braces aren’t just for children and teenagers anymore! If you hesitate to embrace “brace face,” there are a variety of treatment options to choose from. Perhaps clear aligner therapy is the best option for your lifestyle. We also offer lingual (“behind the teeth”) braces which provide a truly invisible way to straighten your teeth. For patients who require traditional braces, we have clear and gold brackets to keep your journey to a new smile a little more subtle. Why avoid treatment when it can be nearly invisible?

A Family Discount

We know braces are an investment; therefore, our office offers a 5% discount to parents who start their own treatment while having a child or spouse in braces also. We also offer interest-free in-house financing and accept most insurances. 

Celebrities Do It!

Don’t be shy about having “tinsel teeth.” After all,  celebrities like Faith Hill, Gwen Stefani, Katy Perry, and even Tom Cruise braved the spotlight to perfect their smile. You can too! 

Five Common Questions about Adult Orthodontics: 

Am I too old for braces? 

Let’s bust this myth! You are never too old for braces. 30% of our patients are adults; and more than half of those adults are over the age of 50. It is never too late to improve your smile. 

Do adult braces cost more and how do I pay for them?

Treatment costs vary depending on the severity of the individual case. What does that mean? Some patients may need simple corrections while others may have more complex needs. When you attend your first exam appointment, Dr. Sturgill, Dr. Williams, and our Treatment Coordinator will evaluate your case to determine what treatment plan would best achieve your smile goals. In fact, our adult consultations are free of charge so discovering your options is easy! We also offer interest-free payment plans to meet your budget. 

Does dental insurance cover adult orthodontics?

The short answer is yes — many plans do! Adult orthodontics is becoming increasingly common — and insurance companies know that. If your employer offers dental insurance, finding out your adult orthodontic coverage is an easy task for our financial department. When you attend your first consultation, you will leave the appointment with a financial breakdown that includes your estimated insurance coverage. It is important to note that this number is an estimate provided by your insurance company rather than a guarantee of payment. Any change to your dental coverage (such as dropping coverage or changing companies) could change the amount that your insurance pays. But the important thing to remember is that yes, many insurances do cover adult orthodontics. 

Do adult braces take longer?

No — generally adult orthodontic treatment takes no longer than adolescent treatment. In fact, many adult treatment plans take less time. Have you noticed a little shifting? Maybe you lost your retainer and now your teeth have moved a little bit. Or perhaps you’ve adopted the habit of grinding your teeth or are experiencing some jaw pain. The average treatment time to correct common problems like these is about 24 months. However many adult patients complete treatment in as little as 12 months — or even less! 

Can adult braces help TMJ?  

Adult orthodontics can absolutely help headache and jaw pain from TMJ/TMD. At Sturgill Orthodontics, we offer TMJ consults for patients experiencing these symptoms. Dr. Sturgill or Dr. Williams will perform a thorough exam to analyze your pain and determine the best method to treat it. We won’t let you leave our office without a plan of action to experience relief. 

“I’ve waited 38 years to do this for myself. I kept putting it off because of moving so often, finding someone I could trust to take the best care of me, but mostly because of the expense. I’ve always felt self-conscious about this… but yesterday I decided to stop making excuses and begin the journey to my perfect smile. I got braces! I got so emotional when I arrived to my appointment… not fully realizing how badly I’ve wanted to do this until that moment.”

– Patient Testimonial from Kelly

Although you may be able to think of many reasons “why not,” remember that investing in yourself is priceless. You only get one life — and one set of teeth! Don’t hesitate to take care of yourself.

So what do you think, Mama? Is 2020 the year for you? Do you still have some reservations or questions about adult orthodontics? Share them in the comments below or give us a call. Our front desk ladies would love to answer any questions you may have. Let’s get started on the path towards increased confidence and jaw pain relief.

Schedule your free consultation now!