Ask Dr. Stevens: “I’m 51 – am I too old for braces?”

Of course not! No one is "too old" for orthodontic treatment!

Recently, our staff at Stevens Orthodontics read a fascinating statistic: adults getting braces has jumped 24 percent from just 15 years ago! Yes, braces help make your pearly whites strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but perhaps another reason for the spike in adult braces is this: people want to look and feel great.

In an age—and society—where looks matter as much as anything, and at a time when evenly-aligned teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing to invest in orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment with Dr. Stevens can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

Because of a lifetime of wear, it is not uncommon for adult patients to require some cosmetic dentistry after orthodontics is completed in order to gain the maximum esthetic result. Dr. Stevens likes to work closely with your family dentist here in Tallahassee to give you the most esthetic and healthy smile possible.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, Dr. Stevens would love to have you visit for a complimentary consultation. Please give us a call to set one up!

Ask Dr. Stevens: Am I too old for orthodontic treatment?

Who’s afraid of the appearance of braces? Not adults, apparently. Recently, our staff at Stevens Orthodontics read a fascinating statistic: adults getting braces has jumped 24 percent from just 14 years ago! Yes, braces help make your pearly whites strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but perhaps another reason for the spike in adult braces is this: people want to look and feel great. In an age—and society—where looks matter as much as anything, and at a time when evenly-aligned teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing to invest in orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment with Dr. Stevens can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

Because of a lifetime of wear, it is not uncommon for adult patients to require some cosmetic dentistry after orthodontics is completed in order to gain the maximum esthetic result. Dr. Stevens likes to work closely with your family dentist to give you the most esthetic and healthy smile possible.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, Dr. Stevens would love to have you visit for a consultation. Please give us a call to set one up!

Patient Review of Dr. Stevens in Tallahassee

As an ODBW (Older Dude With Braces), I was hesitant to even get the procedure done. Within minutes of my first visit, Sheila and Caroline made me feel at home. Dr. Stevens has a wonderful staff who understood my busy life. My appointments were always on schedule and my wait times, nonexistent. Along with his skilled staff, he is pretty good too. :) My braces were only on for 14 months and my smile is perfect. I tell all the other ODBW's who inquire there is really only 1 choice...Dr. Stevens and his fantastic crew. The stickers for my calendar and the cookies are a great perk. Thanks Dr. Stevens!

Resolve to Give Yourself a Beautiful Smile Sooner from Stevens Orthodontics

We’re all making that annual list of new year’s resolutions. Why not add “straightening my teeth” to your list? At Stevens Orthodontics, we use SureSmile treatment, which on average takes 40% less time than traditional braces. By using state-of-the-art technology, the SureSmile process improves on conventional orthodontics in three important ways:

Digital Imaging

Instead of using a plaster model, we create a 3-dimensional representation of your teeth using advanced imaging technology.

Virtual Treatment Planning

We use special treatment planning software to create virtual simulations of your teeth and how they will move. This allows us to create the most efficient plan to move your teeth.

Shape-Memory Alloy

Based on your unique treatment plan, a robot bends an archwire made of a special alloy that gently moves your teeth directly into their final position.

Together, these technologies result in fewer visits to our office during treatment, more effective movement of your teeth, and a shorter and more comfortable experience than what can be expected from conventional braces.

Get started on that list of resolutions – give us a call now at Stevens Orthodontics to set up a consultation.You may just be smiling before the year is out!

Smoke Screen - Stevens Orthodontics

Everybody knows that smoking causes lung cancer, but did you also know that smokers and tobacco are susceptible to a variety of oral health problems at a faster rate than non-smokers?

It’s true! Smoking is responsible for almost 75% of gum disease in adults; and, similar to smokers, adults who smoke pipes and cigars, as well as those using smokeless tobacco, are just as susceptible to gum disease and other tobacco related health problems.

As soon as you use tobacco products, you become more likely to experience any of these oral-health problems:

• Oral cancer
• Gum disease
• Tooth loss
• Loss of bone in the jaw
• Gum recession
• Delayed/impaired healing process after oral surgery or any other treatment
• Decreased success rate of dental implant (tooth replacement) procedures
• Mouth sores
• Loss of your sense of taste and smell
• Bad breath
• Tooth and tongue stains

If you are interested in protecting your oral health we strongly recommend you quit using tobacco products! The following steps are recommended by the Surgeon General to help you quit smoking and using tobacco:

• Get ready – set a quitting date and remove all materials from your home, car and office
• Get support
• Learn new skills and behaviors
• Get medication and use it correctly
• Be prepared for relapse or difficult situations

For support, start with Stevens Orthodontics! We can help by recommending different options to help you quit, and above all we will support you throughout the quitting process. We are dedicated to helping you protect your oral health – and quitting smoking is a significant step in the right direction.

Everybody Benefits from Braces!

Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic care; whether it is correcting a problem not treated in your younger years, or catching a problem early.

To ensure the best overall treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven. If a problem is evident, taking action early can spare a lot of treatment and expense down the road.

If you never received orthodontic treatment when you were young, don’t worry! You’re never too old for a beautiful smile. Set up an appointment for a consultation and find out how adult orthodontics will transform your smile, and your life!