At Sohn Orthodontics, we serve a more diverse range of patients than you might imagine at first—and a good portion of the folks we treat are working adults! Let’s take a closer look at treatment options for busy professionals and beyond.
Debunking Common Concerns
You might approach potential orthodontic treatment with some popular but inaccurate beliefs. Part of our team’s role is to provide clarity on these points to help create a more comprehensive experience for you—so we’re going to do just that.
Myth: “Braces are only for teenagers.”
Fact: More adults than ever are choosing orthodontic treatment. One in four orthodontic patients today is an adult, and modern treatment options are designed to be discreet, comfortable, and easy to manage for working professionals.
Myth: “I’ll have to take too much time off to attend appointments.”
Fact: Our office team is here to accommodate everyone’s schedule, including professionals who may often be fully booked with other commitments. Plus, clear aligners often require fewer office visits to see Dr. Sohn than traditional braces.
Myth: “I don’t need orthodontic treatment because my teeth are only slightly crooked.”
Fact: Even minor misalignment can affect oral health for some individuals, leading to issues like uneven wear, gum recession, and jaw strain over time. Many of our short-term orthodontic options can quickly correct your minor alignment issues without the need to commit to years of treatment.
Myth: “Orthodontic treatment is too expensive for working adults.”
Fact: One of our office’s principles is that a patient should never be denied orthodontic treatment on a financial basis. We offer a number of flexible financing options, many of which are integrated into your insurance coverage, which you can read more about here on our website.
Strength in Numbers
We offer three primary types of orthodontic treatment in our practice, and each has individual characteristics that can prove beneficial to working professionals. Dr. Sohn and our team will work with you to weigh the pros and cons of each one based on your individual case. Here are some of the advantages of each:
- Invisible Design: Straighten your teeth without noticeable hardware.
- Comfortable Fit: No metal brackets or wires to cause irritation.
- Removable Convenience: Easily take them out for meals, work events, and presentations.
- Minimal Office Visits: Progress check-ins are quick, allowing you to focus on your career.
- Less Noticeable: Blends with natural teeth for a discreet look.
- Comfortable Fit: Smoother than metal brackets, reducing irritation.
- Effective for All Cases: Works well for mild to complex alignment needs.
- Always Working: Unlike removable aligners, braces work 24/7 without requiring patient compliance.
- Tried and True: These have been used for many years by so many patients with outstanding results so that you can be completely confident in the outcome.
Tips of the Trade
You might be curious if there are some best practices for having braces as a professional, and there certainly are! Following some of these words of advice might make your experience run more smoothly overall.
- Plan for Speech Adjustments: Braces and aligners may cause minor speech changes at first. If you have important meetings or presentations, practice speaking aloud beforehand to adjust quickly. Reading aloud and self-recording or rehearsing important points in the mirror can help improve speech clarity.
- Be Mindful of Eating at Work Events: If you have braces, avoid hard, sticky, or chewy foods that could damage brackets at the office potluck! If you have clear aligners, remember to remove them before eating and brush your teeth before putting them back in. Opt for cut-up foods and softer options to make eating easier.
- Protect Your Aligners or Braces During Travel: For frequent business travelers, pack extra clear aligners, a travel case, a toothbrush, and floss in your carry-on. If you have braces, it’s wise to have orthodontic wax and a small mirror handy to check for issues during any type of long commute by land or air.
- Manage Discomfort Effectively: Braces and aligners can cause temporary discomfort, especially after adjustments or when you’re first getting accustomed to the feel of them. Keep over-the-counter pain relievers and cold water on hand to ease soreness. Eating soft foods on adjustment days can also help a lot.
Polished and Professional
With our help, you’ll find life will go on in much the same way it does now, even with braces or clear aligners! Dr. Sohn and her team at Sohn Orthodontics are taking new patients now in our Bridgeville office. Schedule your free consultation today! We hope to see you soon!