Our last blog explained how we approach treatment for young children with uneven teeth. But how does this process change once our patients enter their teen years? In today’s blog, your Fort Worth, TX, orthodontist will explain what we do to help protect smiles of all ages from issues related to misalignment.
Starting the Treatment Process
If your child has already received treatment with interceptive orthodontics, then we will simply continue the process and work with them on the road toward an even smile. If our patients are just starting treatment, we will employ advanced digital technology to gain a detailed procedure of their current oral health. We assess the cause and extent of the misalignment, which is crucial for choosing the right treatment option. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, and each patient will receive a personalized approach to smile correction.
Braces vs. Aligners
For more severe cases of poor alignment, we may suggest braces. We attach a bracket to the front-facing side of each tooth. We then attach a portion of an arch wire to these brackets with a band. During periodic visits, we will adjust tension in the arch wire to begin repositioning the teeth and correcting misalignment. To help make them less visible, a major benefit for our teen patients, we will create the brackets from ceramic instead of metal. This means we can shade them to blend with the tooth. Our team also has clear bands too!
For many, we have even less visible option with Invisalign®. Instead of brackets, bands, and wires, our team will create a series of aligners based on detailed digital impressions and models created of your smile. A set is then worn for two weeks, 20 to 22 hours a day. The total treatment time takes about a year to 18 months with aligners, and they can be removed before meals and prior to brushing and flossing your teeth.
Benefits for Oral Health
Correcting misalignment can lower the risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease, as daily care is now much easier and food particles are less likely to be trapped in the smile. You also enjoy a more balanced smile, which lowers the risk of TMJ disorder and chronic teeth grinding (bruxism) in the future. If you have any questions about treatment options for teenaged patients, then contact our team today.
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT TEEN ORTHODONTICS?
Our team wants to help patients of all ages obtains a healthier and more attractive smile by correcting misalignment with options like braces or clear Invisalign® aligners. To learn more about treatment options for our teenaged patients, then please call Lake Country Orthodontics in Fort Worth, TX at (817) 236-7846. Our office proudly serves patients who live in Haslet, Azle, and all surrounding communities.
