Teens today tend to have a pretty active online presence. With the kind of constant sharing social media encourages, there’s more pressure than ever to look good, even before applying filters! In spite of a penchant for posting selfies, many teens are insecure about their appearance. Spending so much time in the spotlight can sometimes be intimidating, especially if your smile is less than perfect. Being able to accept - and embrace! - your own inner and outer beauty is an important part of growing up. But if there are options available that can improve your oral health while also improving your general appearance, why not take advantage of them?

Teen orthodontics

Frequently started between the ages of 12 and 16, since most permanent teeth will be in place, the teen years are the most common time for orthodontic treatment. Experienced orthodontists like Dr. Fagala will also be able to easily detect issues with spacing, crowding, bite, and alignment in this age range, and the bone and jaw structure are formed enough to allow orthodontic treatment to begin. Some teens may have even started Phase I treatment at an earlier age, and are now following it up with full braces or other orthodontic treatment.

Beyond outward appearances, untreated dental problems can have a lasting impact on a teen’s oral and overall health. If you notice any of the following issues, we recommend a complimentary consultation with Dr. Fagala at Saddle Creek Orthodontics, since they could be signs your teen may benefit from orthodontic treatment.

  • Early, late, or irregular loss of their baby teeth
  • Difficulty with chewing or biting
  • Crowding or extra spacing between teeth
  • Jaws that shift or make sounds
  • Frequent biting of the cheek or the inside of the mouth
  • Teeth that meet abnormally or not at all
  • Jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face
  • Protrusion of teeth

The early diagnosis and successful treatment of certain bite problems can have both short-term and long-term benefits. Problems classified as a “bad bites” can often be minimized with the proper orthodontic treatment, including:

  • Crooked or crowded teeth
  • Missing or extra teeth
  • An overbite or underbite
  • Incorrect jaw position
  • A disorder of the jaw joint

Teeth that have responded well to orthodontic treatment, and are straight and well-aligned carry with them a number of benefits, including:

  • Being less prone to wear and tear, chipping, and tooth trauma
  • Being easier to keep clean, helping to prevent tooth decay and cavities
  • Reducing the chances of developing gum disease, which can result in bone loss, decay, and tooth loss
  • Improving proper chewing and digestion of food

The treatment process

In the course of developing a customized treatment plan for your teen, we may recommend the use of an orthodontic appliance for a while. Here at Saddle Creek Orthodontics, we offer:

Metal braces
The most popular and well-known orthodontic appliance, traditional metal braces hardly need an introduction! It may surprise you to learn, however, that the braces of today are far smaller and sleeker than their past incarnations. They’re lighter, more comfortable, and also easily customized by choosing from many colors of elastic ties on the brackets.

Ceramic braces
Also known as clear braces, these work the same way metal braces do, but feature brackets made of tooth-colored ceramic materials which blend in with your teen’s own smile, making them much less obvious. Since ceramic braces are slightly more prone to breakage, and a little costlier than metal braces, they may not be suitable for everyone.

Damon braces
Damon braces are very similar to traditional metal braces, but rather than ties, they utilize a sliding-door technology that’s commonly known as “self-ligation.” This allows the wire of your braces to slide back and forth within the bracket to provide less friction, greater comfort, and the same effective treatment. Damon braces can also reduce treatment time, and require fewer adjustments than traditional braces.

Invisalign
The Invisalign system is made up of a series of fully customized, clear trays called aligners that are nearly invisible and completely removable. Made of soft plastic, they provide a more comfortable orthodontic experience, with no friction or abrasions inside the mouth. Each aligner is changed out weekly for the next in the set. When worn the recommended 20-22 hours per day, your teen’s teeth will gradually move into the desired positions. Invisalign works best with mild to moderate orthodontic issues, and may not be an option if your teen requires more serious treatment.

 

How long does treatment take?

This is a question with no concrete answer, unfortunately! Every case is different, but on average, the active stage of orthodontic treatment will last anywhere from 6-36 months. After this phase of treatment is complete, your teen will need to wear a retainer for as long as Dr. Fagala feels is necessary based on their individual case. We work as a team with both parents and teens to create the kind of smile that will last a lifetime.

Can teens still play sports when undergoing orthodontic treatment?

Absolutely! If your teen athlete is wearing more traditional braces, it will be essential to protect their smile in order to keep on track with treatment. We strongly recommend that they use an orthodontic mouthguard to protect their braces, and their mouth, from any potential injury. With the use of a proper orthodontic mouthguard, any contact sport can be played with braces.

Because Invisalign aligners are removable, teens using this system can simply take their aligner out before practice or a game, and put it back in afterwards.

What about musicians?

Traditional metal braces can potentially affect the way your teen plays some instruments. Invisalign is an excellent alternative treatment, as removing the aligner before playing allows complete freedom for your teen’s music-making abilities!

An investment in your teen’s smile

Orthodontic treatment is truly an investment in your child’s future. By scheduling a free consultation, Dr. Fagala will be happy to discuss the benefits of treatment with both of you, as well as any of the potential risks associated with delaying or foregoing treatment. Although adults can, and do, successfully complete orthodontic treatment, the jaws and teeth of teenagers often respond more quickly to orthodontic treatment, shortening their total treatment time.