Braces are not just for kids! Teeth can be straightened at any age as long as there are healthy gums and supporting bone. A new smile will last a lifetime. Although a nice smile is important, improving the health of your gums and teeth is equally important. Crooked teeth and a bad bite can contribute to tooth decay, gum and bone loss, abnormal wear of the tooth surfaces, headaches, and sometimes jaw joint (TMJ) pain. Good news! The new techniques and materials we use have greatly reduced the discomfort level, decreased the frequency of visits, shortened the treatment time, and may allow you to choose from several options. Dr. Dailey offers the traditional metal braces, translucent (clear) braces, and Invisalign. With a simple, complimentary initial examination, Dr. Dailey will be able to determine if you can benefit from orthodontic treatment, the length of treatment, and the approximate cost. Our former adult patients all agree that orthodontic treatment was the best investment in themselves that they ever made. What's new in orthodontics? Orthodontics has changed a lot in the past years. New technology is allowing Dr. Dailey to produce better results with fewer visits and shorter overall treatment times. Technology such as nickel-titanium-alloy archwires, developed by NASA, have replaced the traditional stainless steel wires of the past. This provides our patients with a temperature-sensitive wire that allows for continuous movement of the teeth over longer periods of time. For our patients this means enhanced comfort, decreased treatment time and less trips to the orthodontist. Cosmetic advances are also being made in orthodontics making braces less visible and more comfortable than in the past. The brackets used in Dr. Dailey's office bond directly to the teeth and are much smaller and more comfortable than older style braces. If you are looking for braces that don't show, you may want to consider clear ceramic braces. The very latest in invisible braces is Invisalign. Invisalign are clear plastic aligners made using sophisticated 3-D computer imaging technology. They are comfortable, removeable and invisible! Dr. Dailey is certified to treat patients with Invisalign.