ProviderBraces for Teens' Unique Needs
Our team understands that braces can be a controversial subject for teenagers. It's understandable! After all, the teen years can be tough, and adding braces to the mix can feel daunting.
While many teenagers are excited about getting a straighter smile, and some even love the quirky element braces can add to their personal style, others are less enthusiastic. They worry about how braces will change the look of their smile during treatment, and what kids at school might say.
To help address these concerns, we can offer kids who are worried about aesthetics lower-profile, streamlined options like self-ligating and translucent braces.
But, for teens who are ready to fully embrace the look of braces, traditional metal braces with colored elastics can be a great choice!
Whatever your teen's attitude and feelings about getting braces, we're here to help get them through it with sound advice, moral support, and a smile.
Orthodontic Treatment During the Teen Years
Orthodontic treatment between the ages of 12 and 18 is designed to guide the healthy development of teens' smiles. Braces may be part of your teen's orthodontic treatment at Karl Orthodontics.
Learn More About Orthodontics for TeensThe Benefits of Braces for Teenagers
With the availability of Invisalign clear aligners, you may be wondering why, in many cases, we still recommend braces for teenagers. Here's why braces are often the ideal option for teens:
Versatility
When it comes to complex orthodontic cases, braces can apply more force to move teeth more quickly than clear aligners can. This means if your teen has a more advanced misalignment and they want to get through treatment as quickly as possible, braces may be the way to go.
Compliance to Treatment
Teenagers get busy. They get distracted, and sometimes they can be a bit irresponsible (weren't we all at that age?). For some teens, this makes it difficult to stick to a treatment plan with removable aligners.
Braces are fixed to the teeth and cannot be removed, so they can't get lost. And their durability makes them difficult to damage – both advantages for teenagers with a lot going on!
Aesthetics
Traditional metal braces and even translucent or self-ligating braces don't have the discreet, barely-there appearance that Invisalign aligners have. However, they can be a fun part of a teenager's personal style during treatment.
Colored elastics can be added and changed out at each adjustment appointment, meaning your child can choose fun colors based on their personal aesthetic, the seasons, or even their favorite sports teams!
Treatment with Braces at Karl Orthodontics
Orthodontic braces traditionally straighten teeth using a combination of brackets, elastic bands, and wires.
But the braces of today aren't the clunky, uncomfortable face-full-of-metal that you might be picturing from decades ago.
Modern braces are more streamlined and more comfortable than ever before.