Braces for teens ensure not only a lifetime of happier, more self-confident smiles, but also teeth and jaws that are properly aligned, promoting better oral and physical health.
Right now, your teen is at the ideal age for addressing orthodontic concerns, since it’s easier to reposition teeth and jaws while they’re still growing. Don’t make the mistake of waiting for orthodontic problems to get bigger as your teens grow and become adults.
Once facial growth is complete, treatment can be more difficult and costly. Your teen may also feel more comfortable addressing problems at a time when friends are undergoing similar treatment.
Just think how important a healthier, more confident smile can be throughout your child’s life—in daily selfies, graduation photos, during that first job interview, and on their wedding day, for example.
Braces for teens offer important health benefits, too
A more attractive smile is just one of the many benefits of braces for teens. In addition to building self-esteem and helping your child feel more self-confident with a smile that looks better, having properly aligned teeth can actually improve speech, chewing, breathing, sleeping, and overall health.
Straighter teeth are also less prone to tooth decay, gum disease, and injuries which can add up to significant savings on dental costs over time. And by increasing jaw mobility, orthodontics for your teenager can spare your child a lifetime of pain and headaches that can come from a misaligned bite.
Who needs braces?
Does your teen have an overbite, overcrowded teeth, protrusions, or gaps between teeth? If so, it’s time for an evaluation by a specialized orthodontist. Braces for teens can correct these common orthodontic problems and also any underlying issues that only an orthodontist is trained to detect.
To ensure the ideal timing for orthodontic treatment for your child, It is recommended to get an initial orthodontic evaluation around the age of 7. This way, any potential concerns can be monitored to ensure they’re addressed at the most appropriate time, which usually is between 12 to 16 years of age. However, anytime you have concerns about your teen’s smile is the right time for an orthodontic evaluation.
What are the different kinds of dental braces for teens?
Thankfully, there are now more orthodontic treatment options and different kinds of braces for teenagers than ever before. We will for sure will help you determine the right choice for your child, based on your goals, needs and lifestyle.
When it comes to braces for teenagers, conventional metal braces have long been one of the most effective treatments for most orthodontic problems. However, many teens are particularly concerned about their appearance and social status at this time in life, so you may also want to consider more discreet options such as ceramic braces or Invisalign clear aligners.
When to see an orthodontist?
Your top and bottom teeth might look straight, but your teeth are like a zig-saw puzzle, so the top teeth need to fit into the bottom teeth perfectly, or there will be long-term consequences. Once the top and bottom teeth fit into each other’s grooves perfectly, plenty of other things will improve too, like chewing, speaking, lip posture. But more importantly, good alignment of the BITE (not just the teeth) decreases the risk of trauma to the front teeth and decreases tooth wear in the long run.
Your teen should see an orthodontist if he or she experiences any of the following problems:
- Self-esteem or self-confidence issues stemming from their smile
- Difficulty biting or chewing
- Too much space between teeth
- Overcrowded teeth
- Teeth that meet abnormally
- Jaws that shift or make noises.
To make your teen’s initial evaluation book an appointment for a specialized Orthodontic consultation and we will guide you through to design the best treatment plan according to your kid’s particular case.
Contact us now to schedule an appointment!
Specialist Orthodontist
