When your teenager needs braces, he or she may not be thrilled. While your kid may want a straighter smile, they could worry about the impact of metal braces on their appearance. Fortunately, to assuage their concerns, your Fort Worth, TX, orthodontist can provide a set of braces with ceramic brackets, allowing them to be barely visible.
When Your Kids Need Braces
We use braces to correct more substantial cases of misalignment, including crowded, overlapping, or crooked teeth. By address these issues, we not only boost the beauty of the smile, but also help limit the risk of serious oral health problems, including tooth decay, TMJ disorder, bruxism (chronic teeth grinding), and even periodontal issues, such as gingivitis and gum disease. If your teen has an uneven smile, then consider scheduling a visit so we can assess the cause and extent and create a personalized treatment plan.
How They Work
First, we will attach a bracket to the front-facing side of each tooth. Next, we attach a portion of an arch wire to each bracket with a band. During regular visits to our office, the orthodontist will adjust the tension in the wire to begin shifting the teeth into position. Over time, the jaw bone tissue and gums will reform around the new positions of these teeth, your child obtains an even smile. The time the treatment takes will depend on the cause and extent of the misalignment, but often requires about two years. We could also shorten the time with Propel® Accelerated Orthodontics, a small device that uses gentle vibrations to stimulate the growth of bone tissue and reduce the amount of time needed for teeth to be secured in their new, optimal positions.
Crafting Ceramic Brackets
How do we make them less visible? Instead of using metal for the brackets, we could create them from ceramic. A strong material that can be color-matched to blend with your smile, ceramic is often used to create crowns and even replacement teeth. We use them to ensure your brackets are practically invisible, and attach the thin arch wire to them with a clear band. Your child’s orthodontics will be much less visible. If you have any questions about using ceramic brackets to offer less visible orthodontics or about treatments for your child or teen, then contact our team today.
Does Your Child Need Tooth-Colored Orthodontics?
We’re ready to help your teen start a path toward a straighter and healthier smile with cosmetic solutions. To learn more about how we correct misalignment for people of all ages, 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.
