Dr. Brodie Bowman is an orthodontist with two offices in Niceville and Fort Walton Beach, both of which are in Florida. Our specialists provide many types of braces and other forms of orthodontic treatment at both of our offices.
Dr. Bowman was born and raised in Fort Walton Beach. He earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of Florida, where he was also a member of the National Honor Society. He then attended the dental school at Nova Southeastern University in southern Florida. There he earned both his DMD and Orthodontic Residency with Highest Honors.
After completing his residency in 2005, he served the USAF as an orthodontist for three years. For the first two years, he was stationed at Yokota AB near Tokyo, Japan. He spent his final year of military service as the Chief of Orthodontic Services at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Mississippi. After leaving the USAF, Dr. Bowman practiced in Denver, Colorado for five years. While there, he joined a group practice and helped build three other offices.
What Kinds of Orthodontic Treatments Are Available?
Traditional metal braces are still quite common. They consist of metal brackets attached to the teeth with a metal wire running through the brackets. They put pressure on the teeth, which makes them shift into the correct alignment.
Self-ligating braces are a variation of metal braces that don’t use rubber bands. Instead, the brackets have clips that allow the wire to slide back forth, which results in less friction and more comfort for the patient.
Mini-diamond braces are another option. The brackets are smaller than those seen in traditional treatment. They are more comfortable than traditional braces and are often used on younger patients.
Ceramic braces have the same brackets-and-wire arrangement as metal braces, but the brackets are made of a ceramic that is the same texture and color as the patient’s teeth.
Invisalign® is the most popular type of orthodontic treatment in the area, for they have the large advantages of being both removeable and largely unnoticeable. The aligners are made of a clear plastic that fits snugly over the patient’s teeth and can be removed when the patient is eating or brushing their teeth. The patient therefore has a much easier time cleaning their teeth, and they don’t have to worry about any food restrictions. To get the full benefit from treatment, they will still have to wear the aligners for at least 20 hours per day. The patient will need to change the aligners every two weeks.
When Should Someone See an Orthodontist?
There is no such thing as being too old for braces. Dr. Bowman regularly works with patients of all ages. If you believe you or your child could benefit from personalized orthodontic treatment, visit the offices of Brodie Bowman, DMD, located in Fort Walton Beach and Niceville. Contact us today to schedule your first appointment and learn more.