Here at Foley Orthodontics, we’re proud to create beautifully aligned smiles for patients of all ages. And we mean all ages! While teens still make up a large percentage of orthodontic patients, we’re seeing more younger children and adults every day. The increase in adult patients is particularly notable—with one in three patients over the age of 18, this demographic has reached an all-time high! We’ve put together your guide to adult orthodontic treatment so that you can feel confident in transforming your smile.
Many adults in Cary and the surrounding communities wonder about the benefits that orthodontic treatment can have for their smiles. Keep reading to learn more about adult orthodontic treatment with Dr. John Foley and how it could transform your smile!
What’s causing the dramatic increase in adult orthodontic patients?
The American Association of Orthodontists was as curious about this uptick in adult orthodontic patients as we are, so they conducted a survey on the topic. Adult patients were asked what their driving desire for orthodontic treatment is, and it turns out there are quite a few factors involved in this trend! Let’s take a closer look at those reasons.
A desire for improved oral health
It’s common knowledge that orthodontic treatment can improve the cosmetic appearance of nearly any smile, but the benefits go much deeper than that! Crooked or crowded teeth can make it challenging to brush and floss effectively, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Misalignment can also cause excess wear on the teeth and enamel, which may lead to chronic headaches, jaw aches, and pain in the face and neck.
Orthodontic treatment with Foley Orthodontics can reduce or eliminate these symptoms, while also helping to protect you from serious oral health problems in the future. This can result in serious long-term financial savings, which tend to be greatly appreciated by adult patients in Cary who have a budget to balance!
Awareness of the importance of a healthy smile
Most younger patients in our Cary office undergo orthodontic treatment because their parents have decided it would be beneficial for them. While younger patients can certainly understand the importance of treatment—and often love the final results—adults typically have a better understanding of how a healthier smile can positively impact their lives overall.
We also tend to learn more about the many ways our oral health is connected to our total body health as we get older. This leads some Cary adults to seek out an orthodontist to help keep their teeth and gums in the best possible shape. Finally, adults are more capable of grasping what orthodontic treatment is: an investment of your time and finances that will pay off in a big way through improved oral health and increased self-confidence!
More affordable treatment options
It’s easier than ever to achieve a confident new smile with a range of affordable treatment options to choose from. Dr. Foley offers a variety of payment options to fit every budget! During your free initial consultation, we’ll outline all the fees associated with your treatment plan and ensure you understand each one before moving forward with fitting you for braces or aligners.
A variety of treatment options are now available
Not so many years ago, metal braces were the only option for anyone looking to improve their smile. Today, there are multiple ways to align the teeth and jaws! At Foley Orthodontics, we offer many options for a complete smile makeover, including:
Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces are what most people think of when they’re considering straightening their smiles. Today’s brackets are much smaller and no longer wrap around the entire tooth and thinner archwires are used to move the teeth with more comfort and speed. At Foley Orthodontics, we’re excited to offer you the LightForce braces system, fully customized braces that will give you the most personalized care. No two people are exactly alike and LightForce allows Dr. Foley to truly customize your orthodontic experience.
Clear Braces
Clear braces are the same shape and size as metal braces but use clear or tooth-colored brackets to blend in better with your teeth. We use 3D printed LightForce clear braces so Dr. Foley can align your teeth more precisely and accurately. Ceramic braces are made of a material that’s slightly more likely than metal braces to chip or crack, so they are a better fit for adult patients in Cary.
InBrace Lingual Braces
InBrace hidden braces at Foley Orthodontics use a personalized Smartwire that Dr. Foley places behind your teeth to gently straighten your smile. These behind-the-teeth braces are a great cosmetic alternative to traditional braces for straightening your teeth at our Cary office. Rather than being fixed to the front of your teeth, they’re placed on the back making them completely invisible to anyone who sees your smile.
Invisalign Clear Aligners
Instead of brackets and wires, Invisalign uses a series of clear removable aligners to move the teeth. These are made from thermoplastic material and customized to fit over your teeth firmly but comfortably. Because they’re removable, they provide adult patients at Foley Orthodontics with a bit more freedom and flexibility than braces, and allow you to brush, floss, and eat as you normally would. Invisalign works best for mild to moderate cases of the most common orthodontic issues and can be just as effective as braces when worn as directed by Dr. Foley.
Get the healthy, beautiful smile you deserve with Foley Orthodontics
Like everything in life, each treatment option we offer comes with a list of pros and cons. Once you’ve read your guide to adult orthodontic treatment you’ll have more information to make the right choice for your smile. However, not every method will be suitable for all patients, which is why it’s so important to work with an experienced orthodontist! When you trust Dr. Foley with your orthodontic needs, you’re guaranteed to receive only the most suitable treatment for your unique smile.
If you’ve spent a lifetime waiting to take the first step towards a healthier smile, the last thing you want is a one-size-fits-all treatment. Dr. Foley will create a customized treatment plan for your unique smile. He’ll build a plan for you that’s based on your specific needs, lifestyle, and goals. This will give you the best results in the shortest amount of time!
It’s never too late to get the confident smile you deserve. If you’re ready to see how orthodontics can transform your teeth, get in touch today to schedule a FREE consultation with the experts at Foley Orthodontics in Cary. We can’t wait to see you smile!