636-332-5550
636-442-0446
1139 Wentzville Pkwy.
(636) 242-5349
636-442-0446
1335 Queens Ct.
Whether due to changing social standards or an increased awareness of the importance of oral health, the team at Humphrey Orthodontics has seen a huge increase in the number of adult patients looking to improve their oral health with orthodontics. In fact, nearly one in three orthodontic patients here is an adult! Some of them have spent a lifetime feeling uncomfortable with the way their teeth look and feel, and many worry that it’s too late to achieve a healthier smile. The good news is that a beautiful smile has no age limit! Whether you’re 8 or 80, you can benefit from orthodontic treatment and enjoy straighter teeth and a healthier mouth with expert treatment from an experienced orthodontist like Dr. Humphrey. Keep reading below for your guide to orthodontic treatment as an adult!
Most of our younger patients are in treatment because their parents have decided that it would be best for them after consulting with an orthodontist. While these children and teens are able to understand why treatment is important for their smiles, we find that adults tend to have a much better understanding of just how beneficial a healthy mouth can be.
This is largely because adults tend to be more aware of the many ways oral health can affect your total body health. They know that regular dental care and orthodontic treatment can help keep the teeth, gums, and whole-body healthy! Most adult patients are able to see orthodontic treatment for what it truly is: an investment of your time and finances that will have a major pay-off in the form of a healthier, happier, and more confident smile.
Orthodontic treatment is probably best known for improving the appearance of a patient’s smile, but there are benefits beneath the surface, too! When teeth are crooked or crowded, they can be difficult to clean properly. This increases the risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental problems.
If the teeth and jaws are misaligned, it can also cause excess wear on the enamel. Over time, this may lead to chronic headaches or pain in the face, neck, or jaw. Orthodontic treatment with braces or clear aligners from Humphrey Orthodontics will help to reduce or eliminate these symptoms.
Treatment can also protect adult patients from more serious oral issues in the future, which translates into a healthier smile and long-term financial savings. That’s something that anyone can get excited about!
There’s never been a better time to be an adult orthodontic patient! Not so long ago, there were very few options for anyone looking to improve the look and feel of their teeth. Today, we have multiple ways to give patients a smile that’s beautiful and functional! Humphrey Orthodontics is proud to offer the following affordable treatment options for a smile makeover.
Metal braces
Traditional metal braces are the most widely used orthodontic appliance in Wentzville, St. Peters, and the surrounding area, and come with a long history of reliability and success. They efficiently treat a variety of orthodontic issues and can be particularly useful in cases that are more severe or complex.
Sure, braces have been around for a long time, but they have undergone some impressive changes in recent years. Today’s metal braces are far more comfortable, effective, and affordable than ever before.
Clear braces
Clear braces function the same way as metal braces, but they come with the added benefit of practically invisible brackets. This offers an incredibly subtle way to straighten teeth, especially when paired with clear, white, or tooth-colored elastics. The ceramic brackets we use with clear braces are slightly larger and a bit more brittle than metal brackets, so we are more likely to use them on the upper front teeth than the lower teeth. Because they are much less visible than metal brackets, clear braces tend to be a popular choice with our teen and adult patients.
Invisalign
Instead of brackets, wires, and bands, the innovative Invisalign system uses a series of customized clear aligners to shift the teeth over time. The aligners are designed to be removed when a patient is eating, drinking anything other than water, and brushing their teeth. This gives them an extra measure of freedom and flexibility that our adult patients love!
Patient compliance is an essential part of treatment with Invisalign. The aligners must be worn for 20-22 hours per day throughout the orthodontic process to successfully straighten smiles. Patients are also responsible for switching each aligner out with the next in the series every 1-2 weeks. This allows them to keep up with the movements their teeth are making.
When worn as directed by Dr. Humphrey, Invisalign can be just as efficient as braces at treating many of the most common orthodontic issues.
Patients of all ages can benefit from orthodontic treatment, and adults are no exception. In fact, they can often see the most success in their treatment, because they understand the importance of a beautiful smile and are willing to go the extra mile to ensure their treatment succeeds!
We don’t do any one-size-fits-all treatment at our office. Instead, Dr. Humphrey will recommend the most appropriate treatment for your unique smile. This personalized treatment plan is built around your needs and lifestyle, and it guarantees a rewarding orthodontic journey with beautiful results you’ll love.
Orthodontic treatment with Dr. Humphrey and the rest of our talented team is a smart investment in a better smile, one that will enhance your physical, emotional, and oral health. Are you ready to take the first step towards the confident smile you deserve? Get in touch to schedule your FREE consultation to transform your smile!