Adult Orthodontic Specialist - Orthodontist | Fountain Valley Huntington Beach

With the advancements and aesthetic options that make correcting crooked teeth and attaining a beautiful smile more comfortable and convenient, it isn’t any wonder that more adults are pursuing orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age, and as many as 25% of today’s orthodontic patients are adults. Board certified orthodontist Dr. Chi H. Bui treats patients of all ages at her state-of-the art practice, The OrthoBee Orthodontics, in Fountain Valley next door to Huntington Beach, California. She serves residents from the greater Orange County area.

Although the average adult seeks orthodontic treatment in pursuit of a more attractive smile, there are more important benefits to having healthy teeth and a properly aligned jaw. First and foremost, crooked or crowded teeth are much harder to clean and maintain. Using braces to straighten your teeth and improve spacing can substantially reduce your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and ultimately, tooth loss.

Your bite -- how your teeth fit together -- affects the function and longevity of the teeth themselves. An improper bite can cause inefficient chewing, abnormal wear and tear on the surface of your teeth, stress on gum tissue, and misalignment of your jaw joints. But visiting Dr. Bui for orthodontic treatment can help.

The primary benefits of adult orthodontic treatment include:

A beautiful smile and increased confidence
Improved long-term health of your teeth and gums
Better bite function with improved force distribution
Easier cleaning and improved oral hygiene
Proper positioning of teeth for ideal restorations of damaged or missing teeth

Because adult patients tend to have conditions that generally don’t affect younger patients, including crooked teeth, mild gingivitis, marginal bone loss, and insufficient bone between the roots for adequate blood supply, adult treatment can be a more involved process than treatments used for children and teenagers. Adult orthodontics is also affected by the fact that adult bones are harder and no longer growing, and aging tissues typically take longer to adjust to newly-positioned teeth.

Sometimes adult orthodontic patients require jaw surgery or tooth extraction as part of their overall treatment plan. Adults who’ve experienced tooth loss or breakdown of the bone that supports their teeth may need periodontal treatment before, during, or after orthodontic treatment. In these cases, Dr. Bui has a network of qualified professionals she recommends to perform these services and works closely with them to ensure the best results for her patients.

Although traditional braces are an excellent way to straighten teeth, advances in orthodontic medicine have given adults a variety of options, many of which are more comfortable, convenient, or aesthetically appealing. The top braces in adult orthodontics include:

Damon™ and Inovation Clear braces: These clear braces are a newer, innovative technology known as self-ligation. The passive slide mechanism allows your teeth to move into their new positions more freely. Because this approach reduces friction and binding, it’s more comfortable than traditional braces.

Invisalign® invisible aligners: Invisalign is a state-of-the-art system that uses a series of clear plastic aligner trays to straighten your teeth over time. Because the system’s special aligners are removable and almost invisible, you can take them out to eat or brush your teeth, and no one can readily tell when you’re wearing them.

Incognito™ lingual braces: These braces are often referred to as “completely invisible” because the brackets and wires are installed on the back of your teeth. Incognito lingual braces have fully customizable brackets, archwires, and bonding trays designed to deliver predictable, effective, and efficient results.