Here at Elm Tree Orthodontics, we hear from adults daily who have spent years feeling unhappy with the appearance and function of their smiles. Many are worried that the chance of improving their smile is long gone, and they’ll be stuck feeling self-conscious about it forever. If this sounds like you, we have good news—it’s never too late to achieve a healthier, more confident smile!
Adults are exploring how orthodontic treatment can correct oral issues and create stunning smiles. Although the most obvious benefit of treatment is a beautifully straight smile, there are many lesser-known advantages to adult braces in our Hamden office. We’ll explore some of these below, so keep reading to learn more!
Improved chewing & digestion
It can be difficult to bite and chew your food effectively when your teeth and jaws are out of alignment. If left untreated over time, it can contribute to excessive wear and tear on your teeth and may weaken your jaw muscles. This can cause painful chewing, which has the potential to exacerbate any issues you’re already having.
You may be surprised to find a connection between your stomach and your smile, but it’s important. Your teeth are a crucial component of the digestive process, and chewing your food is the first step. Your whole digestive system can suffer if you can’t chew properly because of misaligned teeth.
When your teeth can’t properly break down food, it will pass through the digestive system much more slowly. Chewing may also be painful if you’re experiencing tooth or jaw pain related to a bad bite. This may even limit what and how often you can eat.
Improved speech
The alignment of your teeth and jaws can affect your speech. Misaligned teeth can influence the placement of the tip of the tongue, which is essential to properly form certain sounds, including ‘t’, ‘n’, and ‘d.’ As an experienced orthodontist, Dr. Desai can identify speech issues related to misaligned teeth. He’ll also assess the severity of these issues and create a unique treatment plan to meet your specific needs and goals.
Improved jaw alignment
Misaligned teeth can harm your jaw muscles and joints. If the jaws have to compensate for bad positioning, the joints will shift in response. However, the new position will often cause more damage rather than solve the problem. This is why we see jaw issues and misaligned teeth in the same case. Some of the symptoms you may experience with improper jaw alignment are:
- headaches or migraines
- a jaw that seems to pop or “creak”
- pain in the jaw, neck, or shoulders
- sleep disorders
The personalized treatment plan Dr. Desai creates for you will help minimize or even eliminate these symptoms by properly aligning your teeth and jaws. This approach will give you a smile that feels as good as it looks!
Improved oral health
Improved oral healthBrushing and flossing are essential for maintaining oral health, but when your teeth are crooked or crowded, it can be tough to keep them clean. This can cause a build-up of plaque and bacteria, increasing the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, cavities, and gingivitis.
While these are common dental ailments, they’re also preventable! Orthodontic treatment at Elm Tree Orthodontics can move the teeth into more optimal positions, making it much easier to maintain an effective oral hygiene routine.
Treatment options for every smile
Our cutting-edge technology and efficient techniques in our Hamden office give adult patients comfortable and effective treatment options. Thanks to modern treatment, Dr. Desai can give you the results you desire without surgery or extractions in most cases. We offer the following treatments for a total smile transformation.
Traditional metal braces
Traditional metal braces are an orthodontic staple and with good reason! This is one of our most efficient treatments, particularly for more severe or complicated cases. Modern braces use high-quality stainless steel, but innovations in the design mean they’re much more comfortable than previous versions. The total treatment time also tends to be shorter than it used to be.
Clear aligners
Clear aligners from Spark or Invisalign use a series of clear removable aligners to move your teeth instead of brackets and wires. The removable trays are made of a soft but strong thermoplastic resin material and customized to fit comfortably over your teeth. For clear aligner treatment to succeed, you must wear the aligners for 20-22 hours each day and switch them out for the next in the series every 1-2 weeks.
Because Spark and Invisalign aligners are removable, you can eat and drink whatever you want while in treatment. Your oral hygiene routine will be a whole lot easier, too! Our adult patients love the freedom and flexibility that clear aligners offer them.
InBrace hidden treatment
InBrace is a completely invisible treatment option since the unique Smartwire system is placed on the backs of your teeth. Dr. Desai will customize your InBrace Smartwire just for you to shift your teeth into the best positions in the quickest time. The system is self-ligating so there are no adjustments with InBrace, giving you a more comfortable experience from start to finish.
All of these options can be a great fit for busy adults! You can trust Dr. Desai to recommend the treatment method they feel will work best with your smile, lifestyle, and goals.
Get the smile you’ve always wanted with Elm Tree Orthodontics
Get the smile you’ve always wanted with Elm Tree OrthodonticsElm Tree Orthodontics is proud to give you the whole package: expert care, clear communication, a rewarding orthodontic experience, and exceptional results. If you’d like to learn more about how an aligned bite can benefit you, get in touch today to schedule a FREE consultation with Dr. Desai in our Hamden office!