Did you know that in the United States, 1 in 5 orthodontic patients is an adult? If you are thinking about straightening your smile, you have a lot of company. Millions of people get braces every year, and not all of them are teenagers.

At Orthodontic Alliances, our team members have helped countless adults in Indiana turn their smiles into something better. We can do the same for you at any of our offices:

Your Life During Treatment

If you get braces, you can expect to make regular visits to one of our offices as part of orthodontic care. This is how we monitor your progress, discuss any issues you may be having, and make adjustments to keep your teeth moving in the right direction.

The length of your treatment can vary from several months to a few years. This depends on the severity of your alignment issues as well as the type of treatment you choose. Our doctors explain what they see during their examination and are happy to answer your questions so you can select the option that works best for you.

For patients who have braces, you will need to avoid certain foods. Crunchy, hard, and sticky foods all can damage your braces, which can set back your treatment. Regardless of whether you have braces or aligners, it’s also important to be diligent about your daily oral hygiene. Tooth decay and gum disease can complicate or orthodontic treatment, too. That’s why it’s also important to continue getting regular dental checkups at your general dentist as well during this process.

For people who don’t like flossing, water irrigators (also called water flossers) can be an effective way to prevent food from getting stuck between teeth or in your braces.

When you are finished with your braces or your aligners, you will likely need to wear a retainer. This is done to prevent relapse, which is when your teeth move back to their original positions. For some patients, retainers are temporary. For others, retainers are something they wear nightly for the rest of their lives.

Know Your Options

As an orthodontic practice, we specialize in the alignment of teeth. Our doctors have expertise that makes treatment more effective for you. With that in mind, here are some the ways you could transform your smile at our office:

  • Traditional metal braces
  • Ceramic braces
  • Fast-acting adult braces
  • Invisalign

In rare cases, surgical orthodontics may be needed to create your dream smile. Just know that whatever your situation, our professionals are ready to get you to your smile goals.

Get Started

Before you can cross the finish line, you have to start the race. Likewise, you can’t complete adult orthodontic treatment until you begin.

Your first step is contacting Orthodontic Alliances online or calling us at 219-809-6584 for Michigan City, 219-841-7795 for Portage, or 219-440-6512 for St. John.