Adult Treatment
We're seeing more and more adult orthodontic patients these days, and it's not hard to figure out why. Appliances that are barely noticeable have been developed to give adults more discreet choices when it comes to orthodontic treatment. And many adults realize that investing in a smile makeover can have significant benefits, socially and professionally. Straightening teeth can be an important part of that confidence-boosting makeover process.
Healthy teeth can be moved at any age, so there's no such thing as being too old for braces. However, orthodontic treatment for adults is different in two important respects: For one thing, the growth and development of the jaws is complete in adults, so changes in actual jaw structure can't be accomplished with orthodontic appliances in the way they can with a growing child.
Secondly, periodontal (gum) disease is more prevalent in adults than in children. While you are wearing the orthodontic appliances, gentle forces will be applied to your teeth so they can move through their surrounding bone. Periodontal health plays a key role in all of this; if the gum tissues are not healthy during orthodontics, bone loss can result and weaken the long-term prognosis of your teeth. So any gum disease must be brought under control before orthodontic treatment begins. And to maintain your periodontal health, you will need to make sure to have regular professional cleanings during the orthodontics while maintaining good oral hygiene at home.
Types of Orthodontic Appliances
All orthodontic appliances work essentially the same way: by employing light, constant force to move teeth into proper alignment. But how we apply these forces can vary, as numerous innovations have become available in recent years. Some of the newer, less visible orthodontic appliances have been designed to blend more easily into an adult's personal and professional lifestyle. Types of orthodontic appliances include:
Traditional Metal Braces
This is probably what you think of when you picture someone wearing braces: small metal brackets bonded to the front of the teeth. A thin wire runs through the brackets and is attached on either end to metal bands that go around a back molar.
Clear Braces
Instead of highly noticeable metal brackets, you can have clear ones made of ceramic, plastic or a combination of both. They are hardly visible, except for the thin wire running through, but they are more susceptible to breakage than metal braces.
Clear Aligners
As an alternative to the fixed type of orthodontic appliances mentioned above, clear aligners are removable. They are actually a series of clear plastic "trays" that fit over your teeth exactly. Each tray is part of a series of trays that move your teeth a little bit at a time until they are in the proper position. Your trays are designed with the help of specialized computer software that generates a virtual model of your bite.
Adult Treatment Reviews
Dr. Mack is one of a kind! He cares about his patients and makes sure everything is going well with your braces.His crew are just as friendly and concerned on how your progress is coming.If and when you need braces, Mack Orthodontics is a phenomenal place to get your teeth straightened!!!
I had a great experience with Mack Orthodontics! Everyone I interacted with was really kind and friendly, and they made everything seamless and quick - and I was a totally new patient! Definitely recommend!
We love Mack Orthodontics!Our family has multiple children going through treatment here, and we have consistently had a wonderful experience. The customer service is truly top notch.One time, one of our children had a severe allergic reaction to a lip gloss, causing significant swelling of the lips. It had nothing to do with Mack Orthodontics, but because of the braces, the swelling caused the inside of the lips to become very irritated and painful. We reached out simply looking for suggestions, and the office responded immediately. They had a bag of wax ready for us to quickly pick up before school, and then they even texted a few days later to check on how things were improving.That meant so much to us. It showed that they don’t just care about providing orthodontic treatment. They genuinely care about their patients as people.Every time we walk into either the Bettendorf or Eldridge location, the staff is welcoming and friendly. We also love that both locations share the same staff, which makes each office feel familiar and comfortable. Their early morning and later appointment options are incredibly helpful for busy school and activity schedules.We cannot recommend Mack Orthodontics enough!
The crew at Mack Orthodontics is always a pleasure to work with! 😊
Best place for orthodontics. Everyone is very friendly and professional. I was recommend by my dentist to goto Dr Mack. Glad we did
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After Treatment
Wearing a retainer after orthodontic treatment is crucial, no matter which type of appliance you choose and what age you happen to be. Teeth that are not held in place by a retainer long enough for new supporting bone to develop around them can drift back to their original positions, and that's certainly not something we — or you — want to see happen. We will make sure to instruct you on how to retain your new, more beautiful smile so that it continues to make you look and feel great for years to come.
