Adult Orthodontic Treatment

Improving alignment and appearance at any age.

Dramatic improvements in an individual's dental health and appearance can be achieved even when the first visit to Dr. Stevens occurs after all the permanent teeth are in. In fact, about 30% of orthodontic patients are adults age eighteen and over.

The process involved in moving teeth is the same in both adults and children.

Custom-made appliances, or braces, are prescribed according to the problem being treated. Many adult patients find that clear braces improve their appearance during treatment.

The goals of orthodontics for adults are :

• creating a beautiful smile
• correcting functional problems
• improving the health of your teeth, gums and supporting bone

How do I schedule an appointment for an initial exam?

If you or your child can potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment, simply call our office, send us an e-mail, or fill out our appointment request form online. We will be happy to schedule an appointment for you. When you call to schedule your appointment, our front office staff will request some basic information from you. However you should have a general dentist and be up to date on cleanings and fillings prior to scheduling with us.

Please visit www.stevensorthodontics.com for contact information.

Meet Jane

Jane, the appointments coordinator, handles all incoming calls and schedule coordinating. Jane will do her best to give you the most convenient appointment time. She has been with Dr. Stevens since August 1985 when he first opened his practice. She enjoys spending with her significant other, Robert, and two labs Blondie and Herb.

How to floss your teeth

You should floss your teeth thoroughly at least once a day to remove plaque from the areas that your toothbrush cannot reach. Follow the steps below for proper flossing, and contact your doctor if you have any questions.

1. Wind about 18 inches of floss around your fingers as shown. Most of it should be wrapped around one finger, and as the floss is used, the other finger takes it up.

2. Use your thumbs and forefingers to guide about one inch of floss between your teeth.

3. Holding the floss tightly, gently saw the floss between your teeth. Then curve the floss into a C-shape against one tooth and gently slide it beneath your gums.

4. Slide the floss up and down, repeating for each tooth.

The Importance of Regular Checkups

Do you brush your teeth two to three times a day? If you do that’s great!!! Don’t forget that it’s also important to also visit the dentist every six months in addition to brushing your teeth a couple times daily. Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health. Your dentist can:

• Check for problems you might not see of feel
• Detect cavities and early signs of decay
• Treat oral health problems early

During an oral exam the doctor will check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Your checkup will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, it’s time for you to schedule an appointment.

How to brush your teeth

You should brush your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day to remove plaque and to prevent tooth decay. Follow the steps below for proper brushing. Contact your doctor if you have any questions.



1. Place your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to your gum.



2. Brush gently in a circular motion.


3. Brush the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of each tooth.


4. Use the tip of your brush for the inner surface of your front teeth.

Toothbrush Trivia

Before the toothbrush was invented, many people actually brushed their teeth with sticks!

The first time in history that people actively cleaned their teeth was between 4000 and 3000 BC in ancient Babylon (the site where Iraq is now). The Babylonians used “chew sticks” – thin twigs or tree roots that were chewed at the end to loosen the fibers and then used like brushes.

Between 2000 and 1000 BC the ancient Chinese used similar twigs to clean their teeth. But the Chinese took it one step further and used twigs from trees with a nice smell. (Perhaps this was an early attempt at breath freshening?)

The next time you brush your teeth, take a moment to be thankful that you have a nice, clean toothbrush with soft bristles – instead of a stick!