While we offer interceptive orthodontics for our younger patients, for teens we offer a completely different approach. In today’s blog, your Fort Worth, TX, orthodontist looks at how we use braces or aligners to shift the teeth into optimal positions, and the steps we take to ensure these options are much less noticeable than traditional braces.

Treating Misalignment in the Teen Years

In the teenage years, your child’s smile is still growing and developing, which makes correcting misalignment much easier than in adulthood. By correcting misalignment, your child experiences a lower risk of issues like tooth decay and gum disease, as well as issues related to jaw joint strain, like TMJ disorder and bruxism (chronic teeth grinding). An even smile is also linked to higher levels of self-confidence, and a lower risk of breathing-related disorders like obstructive sleep apnea.

Braces That Blend

For more serious cases, we may suggest braces. They involve placing a series of brackets onto the front-facing sides of the teeth and connecting an arch to each one with a band. We then adjust tension in the wire to begin moving the teeth into more optimal positions. Now, we know that many patients are not eager to wear metal orthodontics, which is why we create braces from ceramic. This material is durable, and can be tinted to blend with your smile, limiting the visibility of your metal braces. To help lower the amount of time treatment takes, then we may also use the Accelerated Orthodontics system, which stimulates the growth of jawbone tissue around a tooth’s new position, reducing the overall treatment time required.

Invisible Aligners

We also have an option that is practically invisible! Instead of brackets and wires, we instead take detailed impressions of your smile using advanced digital technology. We then create aligners based on these, made from a clear plastic material. Patients wear a set of aligners for two weeks, usually 20 to 22 hours a day. They then wear the next set in the series, as the smile is gradually and carefully corrected. The total time varies, but usually falls between a year and 18 months. You can also remove them before meals or special occasions! If you have any questions about helping your teenagers obtain straighter and healthier smiles, then contact our team today.

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT TEEN ORTHODONTICS?

Care to correct uneven teeth could mean better oral health and a more attractive smile. To learn more about helping your teen obtain a healthier smile by correcting misalignment, or about any of our specific treatment systems, then please call Lake Country Orthodontics in Fort Worth, TX at (817) 236-7846. Our office proudly serves patients who live in Azle, Saginaw, and all surrounding communities.