​​You Need Braces, Now What?

You've just heard the three words that every teen dreads: “YOU NEED BRACES!”

Don't worry! Braces aren't nearly as scary as you may think. In fact, braces today come in a variety of styles, materials, and colors, making life with braces much easier, more comfortable, and even more stylish than in the past.

 

All About Teen Orthodontics

The teen years (between the ages of 12 and 16) are the most common time for orthodontic treatment because most permanent teeth will be in place.

Experienced orthodontists like, Dr. Sarah, can easily recognize issues with spacing, crowding, bite, and alignment during this age range. Your teen’s bone and jaw structure are developed enough at this point to allow orthodontic treatment to begin.

 

Signs Your Teen Needs Treatment

If you notice any of the following issues, we recommend a complimentary consultation with Dr. Sarah at Imagine Orthodontics, since they could be signs your teen would 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

 

Bite Problems

Diagnosing and successfully treating certain bite problems can have short-term and long-term benefits.

Problems classified as “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

 

Benefits of a Straight Smile

The benefits of orthodontic treatment are more than cosmetic. Health benefits include:

  • 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
Dayton Braces

Choose Your Treatment

After evaluating your teen’s smile, Dr. Sarah may recommend an orthodontic appliance.

Here at Imagine Orthodontics, options include:

 

Metal Braces

Bulky braces are a thing of the past. At Imagine Orthodontics, we use lightweight traditional metal and Damon Self-Ligating Brackets, making your experience more comfortable.

 

Ceramic Braces

Also known as clear braces, these work the same way as metal braces, but feature brackets that blend in with your teen’s smile.

 

Invisalign® for Teens

The Invisalign system is made up of a series of fully customized, clear aligners. These can straighten your teen’s smile without any metal or wires.

FAQs About Teen Orthodontics

Make an Investment in Your Teen’s Smile Today

During your free consultation, Dr. Sarah will be happy to discuss the benefits of treatment, as well as, the risk of putting it off.

Orthodontic treatment is an investment in your child’s future. We can’t wait to help you get started!