Orthodontist Robert B. Pickard
Pickard Orthodontics

West County Office
121 Baxter Shops
Manchester, MO 63011
Telephone: (636) 256-2626
Fax: (636) 527-3495

South County Office
11810 Gravois Road, Suite 101
Sunset Hills, MO 63127
Telephone: (314) 849-9800
Fax: (314) 849-9801

E-mail: info@pickardorthodontics.com

Why Braces? · For Children · For Adults
Orthodontic Treatments · Ortho Dictionary
Surgical Orthodontics · Resources

picture For Adults

Orthodontic treatment is not just for kids. More and more adults are choosing to have treatment for all kinds of reasons. Whether to straighten crowded teeth that are difficult to keep clean, to correct a poor bite (malocclusion) that makes chewing uncomfortable or to enjoy the psychological benefits of the beautiful smile you've always dreamed of having, orthodontic treatment can help you achieve your goals. Orthodontic treatment can also be combined with other dental treatments. For example, it can be used to create space for placement of an implant to replace a lost or missing tooth. It can also precede and follow orthognathic (jaw) surgery to correct serious bite discrepancies and skeletal problems. Adults also may have experienced some breakdown or loss of their teeth and bone that supports the teeth and may require periodontal treatment before, during, and/or after orthodontic treatment.

Whereas a lot of kids love the playful aspect of changing the colors of the elastic ties that hold their brackets to the wire, adults and older teens are more often interested in inconspicuous appliances. What a great time to be an adult seeking orthodontic treatment! With choices ranging from clear braces to invisible braces (lingual braces, bonded to the tongue side of the teeth) to totally braceless systems, like Invisalign, there's no reason to feel self-conscious about undergoing orthodontics.