Adult orthodontic treatment at Bussick Orthodontics means braces or Invisalign planned and followed from start to finish by Dr. Timothy J. Bussick, a Fort Wayne orthodontist who has been treating adults since he opened his practice in 1997. If your teeth and gums are healthy, you can straighten your smile at any age, and more adults than ever are doing exactly that at our Southwest and North offices.
Is It Too Late to Straighten My Teeth as an Adult?
No. More than ever, adults are seeking orthodontic treatment, and the only real requirement is a healthy foundation of teeth and gums. Some of our adult patients never had braces growing up. Others wore braces as teenagers and have watched their front teeth drift since, because teeth keep moving throughout life. Many come in after their family dentist mentions crowding, spacing, or bite concerns.
Whatever brings you in, the starting point is the same: a careful exam and an honest recommendation. With today’s technology, pulling teeth is not the normal course of treatment, and every plan is built around your own teeth, your bite, and the way you live, not around a standard template.
Which Treatment Options Are Available for Adults?
Most adults choose between two proven approaches, and Dr. Bussick will explain which one suits your smile at your free consultation.
For many working adults, Invisalign clear aligners are the natural fit. The custom-made aligners are nearly invisible, and because they come out when you eat, there are no food restrictions and brushing and flossing stay easy. Office visits are only every 12 to 16 weeks. Dr. Bussick has offered Invisalign since it first became available and holds Diamond Top 1% Invisalign Provider status, so your case is guided by one of the most experienced Invisalign orthodontists in the region.
Braces remain an excellent choice for adults too, especially when a bite needs significant correction. Dr. Bussick offers traditional metal braces as well as clear brackets, which make braces far less noticeable for adult patients. You can keep the elastic ties neutral or, if you like, change the color at virtually every appointment. Braces visits are every six to eight weeks.
How Does Treatment Fit Around Work and Family?
Adults have calendars to protect, and we plan with that in mind. Both offices share one phone number, (260) 436-2255, and you can be seen at whichever location is closer to home or work: Engle Road in southwest Fort Wayne or Coldwater Road on the north side. Patient hours run Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Friday is an administrative day, so there are no patient appointments that day.
Once treatment is underway, emergencies are rare. If a wire irritates your cheek, orthodontic wax usually solves it, and a loose bracket can generally wait until your next visit. Most issues are handled with a phone call. You will also keep seeing your general dentist for cleanings every four to six months while you are in treatment.
Can Treatment Also Address My Gumline or Jaw?
Sometimes straight teeth are only part of the picture. If an irregular gumline or a gummy smile bothers you, laser gum re-contouring can balance it. It is a gentle, virtually painless procedure that Dr. Bussick performs himself, and it can be added to orthodontic treatment to give a new smile a finished look.
Jaw clicking, ear pain, or headaches deserve an accurate diagnosis before anything else. Many headaches blamed on the jaw are actually muscle pain, migraine, or chronic daily headache, so Dr. Bussick evaluates jaw pain and TMJ symptoms carefully and favors conservative treatment, which is often the most effective route to long-term relief.
What Keeps Adult Results in Place?
It can take at least four to six months for teeth to settle into their new positions, and they will try to shift back the whole time. That is why custom retainers matter so much. Plan on wearing yours every day for the first six months after treatment ends, then every night for the rest of your life. Dr. Bussick recommends a combination of retainers, and clear invisible retainers can also act as whitening trays and protect enamel from grinding.
What Happens at Your Free Consultation?
Your first visit is a complimentary exam with Dr. Bussick, including digital x-rays, photos, and a careful look at how your teeth and bite work together. If Invisalign is on the table, a quick 3D scan lets you preview how your teeth would move. Afterward, your treatment coordinator reviews the recommendation and walks you through the payment and insurance options, including interest-free monthly payments and HSA or FSA cards. If you decide to begin right away, we reserve time at the end of the visit to get started.
No referral is needed. You can learn more about what to expect at your first visit before you come in.
Why Do Fort Wayne Adults Choose Dr. Bussick?
Dr. Bussick grew up in Fort Wayne, earned his D.D.S. at the top of his class at Indiana University School of Dentistry, and completed his Master’s in Orthodontics at the University of Michigan. He received the Harry Sicher First Research Award for outstanding orthodontic research and is a past president of the Indiana Association of Orthodontists. He takes time to explain your options in plain language and stays with you from your first visit to your finished smile. Our families rate us 4.9 stars across more than 660 Google reviews, and you can read what our patients say in their own words.
Ready to see what treatment could do for you? Book a free consultation at either Fort Wayne office.