Orthodontic treatment isn’t just for children and teenagers. More adults are choosing orthodontic treatment to improve the appearance of their smile, make their teeth easier to maintain, correct bite problems, or prepare for comprehensive cosmetic and restorative dentistry.
At Dentistry of Hockessin, we offer adult orthodontic treatment with Spark Clear Aligners and braces, depending on your individual needs.
Why Do Adults Choose Orthodontic Treatment?
Adults pursue orthodontic treatment for many different reasons. Common concerns include:
- Crowded teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Teeth that have shifted over time
- Orthodontic relapse
- Excessive overbite
- Crossbite
- Worn or uneven tooth contacts
- Difficulty cleaning between crowded teeth
- Improving the smile before veneers or restorative dentistry
Sometimes the goal is a complete orthodontic correction. Other times, treatment may be one component of a larger smile rehabilitation.
Spark™ Clear Aligners For Adults
For many adults, clear aligners are an attractive alternative to traditional braces.
Spark aligners are:
- Removable
- Discreet
- Custom-made
- Designed using digital treatment planning
- Convenient for professional and social settings
Because they can be removed for meals and oral hygiene, clear aligners can fit naturally into many adult lifestyles.
Adult orthodontic treatment can be planned around the demands of work, family, travel, and other daily responsibilities. During your consultation, we can discuss how different treatment options may fit into your routine, including the responsibilities associated with wearing clear aligners or caring for braces. Understanding these expectations from the beginning can help you make an informed decision about your treatment.
Regular monitoring is also an important part of adult orthodontic care. Throughout treatment, we evaluate how your teeth are responding, monitor your bite, and make adjustments as necessary to keep your treatment progressing according to plan. Once active treatment is complete, retainers can help maintain your new tooth positions and protect the results of your orthodontic treatment over time.
Braces For Adults
Clear ceramic braces and modern metal braces remain excellent treatment options for adults. Braces can provide precise control over tooth movement and may be recommended when more complex tooth movements are required. The appropriate treatment depends on your orthodontic diagnosis rather than your age alone.
Orthodontics Before Cosmetic Dentistry
Orthodontic treatment can sometimes be an important first step before cosmetic or restorative dentistry.
Moving teeth into healthier and more ideal positions may allow us to preserve more natural tooth structure and create a better foundation for veneers, crowns, bonding, or other restorative treatment.
Rather than simply masking an orthodontic problem with restorative dentistry, we can evaluate whether moving the teeth first would provide a better long-term result.
Orthodontics & Dental Implants
Orthodontic treatment can also be useful when planning dental implants.
Teeth adjacent to a missing tooth may drift into the space over time. Orthodontics can sometimes reposition these teeth and improve the space available for implant restoration.
For patients requiring comprehensive treatment, orthodontics can therefore become one component of a larger restorative plan.
What Makes Adult Orthodontics Different?
Adults may have additional considerations that aren’t typically present in younger patients, including:
- Existing crowns or veneers
- Dental implants
- Missing teeth
- Gum recession
- Bone loss
- Tooth wear
- Previous orthodontic treatment
- Existing restorative dentistry
These factors make a comprehensive evaluation particularly important.
Adult Orthodontics In Hockessin, Delaware
Whether you want a straighter smile, improved bite, or orthodontic preparation for comprehensive cosmetic or restorative dentistry, we can help you understand your options. Dentistry of Hockessin serves adults throughout Hockessin, Wilmington, Newark, Pike Creek, Greenville, and surrounding Northern Delaware communities.