Unlocking the Benefits of Adult Orthodontics

McClellan Orthodontics

For many, the idea of braces conjures images of adolescents with metallic smiles. However, the world of orthodontics has evolved significantly, and now more adults are turning to braces and other orthodontic treatments to achieve the smile of their dreams. Adult orthodontics offer numerous benefits beyond aesthetics, making it a worthwhile investment for those seeking not only a beautiful smile but also improved oral health.

The most apparent benefit of adult orthodontics is the transformative effect it can have on one's appearance. Many adults have lived with misaligned teeth or other dental issues for years, and orthodontic treatment offers a chance to correct these concerns and attain a beautiful, straight smile. Whether through traditional braces or clear aligners like Invisalign, orthodontics can discreetly and effectively enhance the aesthetics of your smile.

A beautiful smile can do wonders for one's self-esteem and self-confidence. Many adults may have felt self-conscious about their teeth for years, avoiding smiling or covering their mouths when laughing. Adult orthodontics can be life-changing, giving individuals the confidence to smile freely and feel more comfortable in social and professional settings. Improved self-confidence can lead to enhanced mental well-being, positively impacting various aspects of life.

Beyond the cosmetic advantages, orthodontic treatment also significantly impacts your oral health. Misaligned teeth can create numerous dental issues, including difficulty in cleaning and uneven wear on teeth surfaces. Over time, these problems can lead to gum disease, tooth decay, and even jaw pain. Orthodontic treatment aligns the teeth properly, making it easier to maintain oral hygiene and reducing the risk of dental problems, leading to better overall oral health.

Orthodontic treatment can also address functional issues. For instance, malocclusions (bad bites) can cause problems with speaking, biting, and chewing. Chewing is the first step in the digestion process, and misaligned teeth can hinder this crucial function. Adults with crooked teeth may not be able to chew their food thoroughly, leading to poor digestion and potential gastrointestinal issues. Orthodontic treatment can correct bite problems, facilitating proper chewing and allowing individuals to enjoy a more varied and nutritious diet, contributing to better overall health.

One of the great advantages of modern orthodontics is that age is no longer a barrier to treatment. Whether you're in your 20s, 40s, or beyond, you can benefit from orthodontic correction. With various discreet options available, such as clear aligners, adults can undergo treatment without drawing attention to their orthodontic journey.

Investing in orthodontic treatment is an investment in your oral health and overall well-being. If you have been living with misaligned teeth or other dental issues, consider scheduling a consultation with McClellan Orthodontics to explore the treatment options available for our adult patients. Embrace the journey to a healthier and more confident smile and discover the life-changing benefits of adult orthodontics. Remember, it's never too late to achieve the smile you've always dreamed of!

 

 

Give Yourself a BraceLift

McClellan Orthodontics

As we grow older, many of us turn to expensive and invasive cosmetic treatments in an effort to retain a youthful appearance.

Despite all of the gimmicks out there, studies show that your smile can do more to make you look younger than anything else! “Just as white,straight teeth convey youth, a smile with crooked, discolored, worn, or missing teeth is associated with an aged look,” says Edmond Hewlett, DDS, professor of restorative dentistry at UCLA's School of Dentistry.

“Bracelift” treatments can help you look younger and feel more confident about your appearance. Of course, most people want a nice smile with straight, white teeth, but properly aligned teeth can do much more than just improve a smile. By enhancing the alignment and widening the arch of the teeth, orthodontic treatment can create better facial balance and aesthetics, lending the appearance of fuller cheeks and lips, smoother and higher cheek contours, and broader smiles.

We all know that healthy teeth are important to maintaining overall health. But we sometimes overlook the impact our teeth can have on our emotional well-being. Orthodontic treatment can provide a life-long improvement to your overall appearance...improving your self-confidence.

3 Easy Steps to Take Years Off of Your Appearance

Step 1: Oral Hygiene - The way to take years off your appearance is to practice good oral hygiene. Maintaining good oral health throughout your life doesn’t just preserve the appearance of your smile, but it can preserve your overall health too. Brushing twice a day and flossing regularly promotes healthy teeth and gums and keeps your smile looking and feeling clean.

Step 2: Whiten Your Teeth - Teeth naturally darken as we age. One reason is that your teeth absorb color from food and drinks. Even if you take fantastic care of your teeth, they will eventually yellow over time. Micro-fractures, thinning enamel, and built-up stains all make your teeth look duller and older. Ask our team about how you can whiten your teeth with custom whitening trays. Custom whitening trays are the best way to achieve a deep and thorough color change that can take years off your appearance.

Step 3: Straighten Your Teeth - Even if you start out with perfectly straight teeth, something called mesial drift will cause them to shift over time. Crowded teeth are an instant giveaway of age and straightening your teeth can often take 10 to 15 years off your appearance. Crowded teeth also increase the risk of tooth decay, premature tooth loss, and gum recession, all of which guarantee looking old.

Beautifully straight, symmetrical glowing white teeth cannot only make you look younger, but they can dramatically improve your confidence.

If you have any questions about how we can help give you a healthier, younger looking smile, give our Kenilworth orthodontic office call to schedule an appointment with Dr. McClellan and Dr. Hedger today.

And remember…One of the best ways to appear more youthful is to smile more!

More Than a Pretty Smile

McClellan Orthodontics

The benefit of straight teeth is not only for aesthetics.

Straight teeth are easier to clean. When teeth are rotated and overlapped, more nooks and crannies exist where plaque bacteria can build up. Even with proper brushing and flossing, some areas may be difficult to clean and will have a higher risk of forming a cavity. Straighter teeth allow for easier cleaning and lower cavity risk.

Because misaligned teeth are more difficult to keep clean, the build-up of plaque bacteria can cause gum inflammation that may potentially lead to gingivitis and periodontitis. Also, gum recession can occur in areas with crowding due to difficulty with brushing.

Even if your teeth appear straight, there can be a problem with your bite. Added wear of teeth, chipping of teeth, and teeth grinding are very common problems when an improper bite is present. Jawbone and joint problems can also develop, leading to breakdown of the bones that support your teeth as well as TMJ pain, headaches, and migraines.

When teeth are crooked or the bite is off, it can change the shape of the face. Teeth with extreme overbite can make the lower jaw and chin look unpronounced, and underbite can make the chin look overly pronounced.

The benefits of straight teeth and jaw alignment are important to your overall well-being. If you are interested in straightening your teeth or have any questions about your options, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule an appointment. At McClellan Orthodontics, our team can develop a plan to ensure your teeth are not only straight, but a healthy bite is achieved.

 

 

Should You Get Invisalign?

McClellan Orthodontics

 

At McClellan Orthodontics, our top priority is to provide you with the highest quality orthodontic care in a friendly, comfortable environment. Having straight teeth is important not only for children but for adults as well. Straightening your teeth with the Invisalign system can treat common orthodontic problems thereby helping you maintain your dental health. 

Invisalign treatment is a technique that straightens your teeth without braces, using a series of clear, removable aligners that are custom-modeled to fit your teeth. The Invisalign aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable plastic that you wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements Dr. McClellan plans out for you.

The Benefits of Invisalign Treatment

1. Invisalign is Removable - This means you can take your Invisalign trays out when you eat and brush your teeth. Being able to take your trays out means you are able to eat without the normal restrictions of braces.

2. Invisalign is Almost Invisible - The aligners look pretty much invisible when they are in your mouth. People may notice that you have something on your teeth because the trays do make your teeth slightly shinier, but it's not nearly as noticeable as traditional braces.

3. Invisalign Can Treat More Complicated Problems - Using attachments, like clear buttons attached to your teeth as anchor points, helps your aligner get a better grip so it can pressure other teeth to move. Rubber bands work too, just like with metal braces, to make corrections to adjust malocclusions and other issues.

4. Invisalign Provides Faster Results - With Invisalign you don’t need to wait for a long time to see the results. You can even see the outcome after a couple of months.

5. Invisalign Can Help Whiten Your Teeth - Anything you eat can stick to your aligners and keep things on your teeth. Similarly, if you brush with whitening toothpaste, that whitening toothpaste will stick to your aligners and to your teeth…helping to whiten your teeth throughout treatment.

Now that you know a few of Invisalign’s benefits, give McClellan Orthodontics a call to see if Invisalign is right for you. We're ready to answer all your Invisalign questions and schedule you for a consultation in our Kenilworth Orthodontic Office.

 

The Perfect Age For Braces

McClellan Orthodontics

When we think of braces, most of us think of teenagers. But nowadays, people of all ages are getting braces. So…what is the perfect age to start braces treatment? 

Orthodontists today can successfully correct most problems regardless of the patient’s age. But that doesn’t mean that the orthodontic treatment starting age does not matter. In fact, the starting age may play a significant role in the total time and expenses required for the completion of the orthodontic treatment.

Children: Traditionally, orthodontic treatment begins when a child has lost most of his or her baby teeth, and a majority of the permanent teeth have grown in. That said, it's a good idea to get an orthodontic evaluation by the time a child is 7 years old. You make think that 7 years old is too early to put your child in braces, however, this interceptive approach can help to spot potential orthodontic problems related to jaw growth and eruption of adult teeth before they get out of hand.

Teens: Most orthodontic problems are ideally treated during a child’s teenage years. Usually, all or most permanent teeth are present and patients are at one of their most active phases of growth. This is a great time to correct most problems, as the jaws are actively growing and their growth can be most easily modified during this time.

Adults: Although childhood is a good time to make changes to the mouth and jaw, more and more adults are seeking orthodontic treatment for missing or crooked teeth, TMJ, and more. As we grow older, our teeth may shift and it may be necessary for an improved smile through orthodontic treatment. Healthy teeth can be moved at any age, and it is never too late to improve your smile.

The truth is...there’s no specific age at which a child should first visit the orthodontist. The best choice for you and your child will largely depend on the severity of your child's dental problems. A visit to McClellan Orthodontics should happen when you feel it is needed. Often, your family dentist will be the one to recommend the visit, especially if he or she notices problems with your child’s bite or tooth alignment.

If you are considering braces for yourself or your child, give McClellan Orthodontics a call and schedule your initial consultation. Our friendly and knowledgeable team will take the time to address your concerns, answer your questions, and guide you through any treatment process.

 

We Have the Technology

McClellan Orthodontics

 

A smile is often the first thing people notice about you. And no matter where you are in Illinois, a nice smile is like a warm hello.  If you have been thinking about your smile and not feeling very confident, there are many ways to ensure that your smile is at its best.

Technology has come a long way in orthodontics. New 3D technology captures various images of your mouth and creates an accurate 3D model of your teeth and gums. These models help us develop the appropriate treatment plan that is completely customized to each individual patient.

Our practice offers advanced treatments with Invisalign invisible braces, Invisalign Teen, and Damon System Braces. We take your safety and health seriously by meeting and exceeding sterilization requirements and staying in contact with your family dentist throughout your treatment to help you maintain your oral health while wearing braces.

Whether it's Invisalign or traditional braces, our team will ensure your treatment is as smooth as possible and your end result leaves you smiling. Using the latest in orthodontic technology, Dr. McClellan will work to ensure your first visit is informative and that you have all the necessary information to choose the treatment plan that is best for you.

We are committed to determining which treatment solution is best suited for you. Using convenient and efficient technology continues to ensure we put our patient's needs first. Schedule your complimentary consultation at our Kenilworth orthodontic office today and start smiling with confidence.

 

The Choice is Clear with Damon Clear

damonbraces.com

Your appearance can make a big difference in your confidence, and a healthy smile is one of the first things people notice. If you have crooked teeth, a bad bite or other dental challenges, it can even be difficult for you to find the success you want as a professional. And for kids and teens, the discomfort of traditional braces can add to an already stressful school experience.

Dr. McClellan is dedicated to creating beautiful smiles with straighter teeth and good bites. One of the orthodontic treatment options offered at McClellan Orthodontics, includes Clear Braces by the Damon System.  Made of tooth-colored or transparent ceramic, Damon Clear Braces require no metal clips or elastic ties…meaning our patients are actually getting braces that are clear.

With Damon Clear, people may not even realize you're wearing braces. Unlike other clear braces with visible metal parts or elastic ties that can yellow during treatment, Damon Clear braces are virtually invisible. Damon Clear braces are resistant to staining and do not use elastic ties, providing a superior aesthetic solution for patients.

Damon Clear Braces are perfect for adults looking to improve their smile yet steer clear of any noticeable differences that may draw attention to their mouth. Teenagers that already feel insecure about their smiles don’t want the look of metal braces either.  And while traditional metal braces are effective, most teenagers choose Damon Clear Braces over metal braces a majority of the time.

Damon Clear Braces offer our patients the look they want, with all of the functionality of traditional metal brackets. Their comfortable, sculptured design and attractive translucent appearance help provide the self-confidence that comes from wearing braces that look as good as they perform.

If you have been considering orthodontic treatment, consider Damon Clear Braces. Give McClellan Orthodontics a call to schedule your initial consultation today.