There are many good reasons to get braces for teens. Teenage years are the most common age for braces. All of your teen’s permanent teeth have likely come in by now, other than the infamous wisdom teeth if they have not been extracted yet. This is also a time when several kinds of oral health issues can emerge or become more pronounced, such as:
- Teeth becoming crowded or cooked
- Growing gaps between teeth
- Overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites
There are several reasons you might now be exploring orthodontic options. Your teen may have started becoming more concerned about the appearance of their teeth and are looking for a crisper smiler. There could be health or oral issues that are interrupting speech, chewing, or even breathing. Your dentist might have indicated it is time and recommended you make an appointment.
The good news is that braces for teens is often the best time. Teeth and jaws are going through a lot of change, meaning your teen’s teeth are more responsive to treatment than when they reach their adult years and jaws and teeth are more set.
Getting Braces for Teens at the right time
It is recommended that a child start seeing an orthodontist annually from ages 7-8. But it is okay if your teenager has not been to an orthodontist until now. Even if the time is not right yet for your teen to get braces, we want to see them for a full examination as soon as we can so we can identify where their teeth are in their development. This will help give you an idea of what is going on and what you can expect from treatment in the future. It also is a chance for us to identify potentially problematic issues and stay ahead of them.
Types of Braces
There are many different types of braces we can offer. Picking the right one is a combination of a patient’s situation with their teeth, the severity of various issues in how teeth have come in, and personal preference. We can discuss options with you and your teen as the time for braces approaches.
Traditional Metal Braces: The most common type of braces, metal braces are typically the most economical braces option and are effective in addressing most orthodontic issues. Metal brackets are placed on each tooth and connected by thin wire, which pushes and pulls on teeth to move them to the correct position over time.
These kinds of braces are smaller and do not stand out as much as braces used to. Rubber bands attach the wire to the teeth. These rubber bands can be customized in different colors to give your teen a unique look, as many patients like adding a personal touch to their braces.
Self-ligating Braces: These are similar to traditional braces, but they do not require the use of rubber bands. A clip is used instead to keep the wire attached to the bracket. Some patients prefer self-ligating braces because they offer a more uniform look and don’t require rubber band replacement every visit. However, self-ligating braces are not always able to put as much pressure on the teeth in some cases. Because of this, traditional braces might be better for a patient even though self-ligating braces offer some conveniences.
Clear Ceramic Braces: The design of ceramic braces is similar to traditional and self-ligating braces, making them more difficult to see. It gives your teen’s braces a more subtle look than metal braces, but there are tradeoffs. Ceramic braces are larger and not as sturdy as metal, so your teen will need to be more careful in their brushing. They also can stain and cost somewhat more than metal braces. But if the more subtle look is important for your teen, ceramic braces can be a great option.
ClearCorrect Invisible Aligners: Unlike the braces above, ClearCorrect aligners are clear aligners that are fitted to the impression of your teen’s teeth. There are no wires or brackets. Instead, each aligner is designed to subtly move and be gradually guided to the final state. They can be easily removed to eat, floss, and brush. This option comes with a higher cost than typical braces and does not work in all situations. But if your teen’s teeth are good candidates for this kind of treatment, ClearCorrect aligners can be a great and seamless experience for orthodontic treatment.
