While people of all ages can benefit from orthodontic treatment, starting young is the best way to set yourself up for a lifetime with a healthy and beautiful smile. Most orthodontists recommend that children should come in for their first visit around age seven. It might sound young, but it’s a great age to see the first signs of how your child’s jaw and bones are growing, and Dr. Sohn can predict where there might be challenges with their alignment.
If you are on the fence about whether you or your child should seek orthodontic treatment, then keep reading to learn more about the benefits of orthodontics for children and adults and the different types of treatments that we offer! At Sohn Orthodontics, we believe everyone deserves a healthy smile, and we will work with you to make that dream a reality!
Who Should Get Orthodontic Treatment?
While we completely agree that kids should be evaluated young, it’s also important to know that adults can benefit from orthodontics at any age! Whether it is for cosmetic reasons or for health reasons, there are many treatments that work well for adults and can have beneficial results. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our office to learn more about your own options for adult orthodontic care.
All that said, not every person needs orthodontic care. You can trust us to give you an honest evaluation of your teeth and jaw alignment, and if we don’t see any big issues, we won’t encourage you to seek treatment. You won’t know until after your free consult appointment!
What Are the Benefits?
There are so many important reasons why orthodontics can have a huge impact on someone’s life and health. Here are a few of the most common reasons below:
- It becomes easier to clean your teeth and prevent tooth decay
- It can improve speaking abilities
- It can boost confidence and improve mental and physical health
- It improves your ability to chew food, also improving digestive health
- It reduces wear and tear on tooth enamel, preventing chipping, sensitivity, cavities, and more
What are the Treatment Options?
Now that you know more about who should seek treatment and why, let’s talk about the how! The field of orthodontics is always growing and improving, and Dr. Sohn uses her expertise as an orthodontist to always be learning and adding new technology for the benefit of her patients. Here are a few of the common treatments that we use in our office for both children and adults:
Invisalign
Invisalign has been around for about 20 years, but in that time, it has become more common and affordable. Many people prefer Invisalign to other treatment options because of how discreet and convenient it is. It’s nice to know that you are aligning your teeth in a way that is nearly invisible to other people and in a way that is comfortable. Being able to take out retainers while eating, drinking, and brushing your teeth means less of a hassle to your hygiene routine.
Overall, we recommend Invisalign to many people who have mild to medium alignment issues. Clear aligners aren’t able to fix every tough bite problem, so they may not work for some people. They are also not a great fit for young children since patient compliance is essential to success. As long as you can remember to remove and replace your retainers without losing them, you’re in good shape!
Metal Braces
Metal braces have improved with technology and are still a great fit for some patients. Those who want a hands-off approach to orthodontics or who have a more significant alignment challenge will benefit from the heavy-duty shifting power of metal braces.
Clear Braces
Clear braces work best for people who need or want braces but would like them to be more discreet. Made from tooth-colored ceramic, clear braces are super effective but less visible, making them perfect for adults or teens. Take note that ties on clear braces can stain more easily than other braces, so you will need to be extra careful with your daily hygiene habits to keep them looking pristine.
Two-Phase Treatment
Two-phase treatment refers to the method many orthodontists use to care for kids as they grow. This typically starts with early interventions, like a palatal expander to widen the upper jaw or a small set of braces to make space for incoming teeth. These devices will be removed, and then a year or more later, they will come back for regular orthodontic treatment with braces or clear aligners to finalize the process!
This method works really well for kids with bite problems like underbites, overbites, or crossbites or for those who have small mouths, jaws, or facial bones that make it difficult for their teeth to grow properly.
Get Care You Can Trust at Sohn Orthodontics!
Thankfully, all the support you or your child need can be found at Sohn Orthodontics! We have been caring for patients in Bridgeville for many years, and we would be happy to add you to our list of beautiful smile transformations. Call our office to schedule your free consultation appointment–we hope to hear from you soon!