Adult Orthodontic Treatment

It’s never too late to achieve your perfect smile, and now more than ever, adults are seeking orthodontic treatment. In fact, approximately 25% of orthodontic patients are adults.

Adult orthodontic treatment differs from child and adolescent treatment in a few ways. Since the bone development in adults is complete, orthodontic appliances cannot change jaw structure as they can in patients whose bones are still growing. If you are an adult with severe jaw misalignment, you might be a good candidate for surgery.

Periodontal disease is also important to address before orthodontic treatment. Braces and aligners rely on applying gentle pressure to teeth so that they can move through their surrounding bone. If the tissue and bones aren’t healthy, the excess pressure can result in bone loss and weakened teeth. Periodontal disease can be prevented with regular cleanings and good oral hygiene habits.

All orthodontic appliances use light, constant force to move teeth into alignment, but how we apply these forces vary. Braces and aligners vary by material used and visibility, and include:

  • Traditional Metal Braces

Small, metal brackets are attached to the teeth, and a small metal wire runs through them beginning at one molar, going across all teeth, and ending at the opposite molar.

  • Clear Braces

Clear braces are less visible than metal braces and are made of ceramic, plastic, or a combination of both They still have a visible metal wire and can be more susceptible to breakage.

  • Clear Aligners

Unlike all other options, clear aligners are removable. They are made as a series of clear plastic trays that fit over your teeth exactly. Each aligner makes an incremental change to your smile, and you move through the series of aligners until you’ve reached your perfect smile.

  • Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are metal like traditional braces, but they are attached to the back of your teeth (tongue side) so that no one can see them. The downside is that they might be more difficult to adjust to, and can be more expensive than other treatment options.

Once the braces are off, it’s crucial to wear your retainer. The retainer holds teeth in place, which in turn, supports new bone development around the newly positioned teeth. If the bone isn’t supported, teeth can revert to their old positions.

Our Location

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Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Tuesday:

7:30 AM-4:00 pm

Wednesday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Thursday:

8:20 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

Closed

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Testimonials

  • "Even though I was 30 minutes late for my appt , everyone was very kind. Danielle and Shay are delightful additions to a great team.!"
    Joyce D.
  • "As always my experience with Dr. Tretter and staff was very positive. Everyone is pleasant and friendly."
    Anonymous
  • "Always a very good experience with Dr. Tretter and his staff."
    Stephen P .
  • "I have always had a positive experience at Dr. Tretter’s office. The staff is consistently kind, courteous and professional. Dr. Tretter is a wonderful person and a phenomenal dentist. I highly recommend him!"
    Mary N.
  • "Dr. Tretter is the best dentist I've ever had. Every time I go to have work done, I feel relaxed because I know I am in good hands. I cannot imagine a more competent dentist. All the others on the staff are very professional and extremely pleasant. I know it's hard to believe, but I actually have fun whenever I visit the practice. Dr. Tretter keeps up with the latest dental technology. A crown is completed in one visit, about 2 hours long."
    Nancy Blodget
  • "I was again very impressed and pleased with my appointment this am. The professionalism,the super safe set up during the Corona times. Everyone in the office are caring, and on top of any potential issues..10 Stars !!!"
    Claudia Caffrey