Just a few weeks ago, Dr. Rob Patterson of Patterson Orthodontics started his own smile fix, with his third set of braces. He wore braces twice as a teen but decided that at 37 years old and as the orthodontist who straightens other peoples’ teeth, his own smile needed a tune up.
“[Many people] thought I was crazy for wanting braces again,” said Dr. Rob. “But I had a hard time appreciating my own smile because I’m looking at the intricacies of other’s smiles all day long – straightening teeth and bites down to the millimeter.”
Dr. Rob decided to use a new clear bracket and treatment plan called the Damon System for his own treatment. The brackets click over the straightening wire so there is no need to “tie in” the wires with the colorful ligatures.
In using the Damon System, the overall treatment time is usually shorter and he can go longer in between adjustments. That is great news for busy adults and parents who have put off improving their smile because of a lack of time.
Patterson Orthodontics provides several treatment options for adult patients. The Damon System comes in either clear or metal brackets. Patterson Orthodontics also provides Invisalign, which is a system that uses a series of clear retainer-like trays to straighten teeth. Invisalign can be for people who do not want braces but still want a great smile.
“Invisalign is a great option for patients who would be faithful about wearing their aligners but want a clear, aesthetic option that they can remove. We also provide Invsalign Teen for youth, too,” says Dr. Rob. “Brackets, I can tell you, can be a little rough on the insides of your mouth. But they really do the best job at correcting your bite and really straightening your teeth. I have more control with making minor corrections with brackets than I do with Invisalign.”
However, many patients at Patterson Orthodontics love their Invisalign trays.
“I’ve seen that some of my patients really like Invisalign because it is so clear that others don’t notice their orthodontic treatment at all,” Dr. Rob said. “Some of our patients participate in contact sports and prefer the smoothtrays. A couple of years ago, we treated Drew Ryniewicz with Invisalign Teen so she could still sing with her cool, distinct sound without brackets interfering with her tongue and cheek movement.”
No matter what option his young and young-at-heart patients choose, Dr. Rob recommends that all his patients wear their retainers at the end of their treatment.
For how long?
“I just tell my patients to keep wearing their retainers at night as long as they want to keep their teeth straight,” said Dr. Rob. “Even if we’ve had braces before, like me, our mouths continue to change as we age. If we don’t wear our retainers, our teeth will crowd again or gaps will emerge.”
Everyone deserves a great smile, and Patterson Orthodontics provides flexible in-house financing that works with any family’s budget. QCBN
Angie Patterson manages external marketing for Patterson Orthodontics.
Patterson Orthodontics has locations in both Prescott and Prescott Valley. To schedule a complimentary initial consultation to find out which treatment and financing plan works best for you, call 928-772-7353. You can visit their website for more information at www.PattersonSmiles.com and follow them on their interactive and fun Facebook Page.