We’ve talked about how we use phase one orthodontics for kids as young as age seven. But what about when they reach the teen years? At this age, we could use a cosmetic approach to braces, or clear Invisalign® aligners, to improve the overall alignment. In today’s blog, your Fort Worth, TX, orthodontist talks about teen orthodontics and Invisalign®.
Starting Treatment
If your child has already undergone the first phase of orthodontics, then treatment in the teen years is to complete the final touches on the smile and correct them completely before adulthood. But even if your kid hasn’t had treatment before their teen years, we can still start care to ensure they start adulthood with an even and beautiful smile, and better oral health too. To begin, we will take detailed digital images of the teeth with digital x-rays and CT scanning technology. This enables us to assess the cause and extent of the misalignment, so our team can choose the best possible treatment option.
Ceramic Brackets and Braces
For cases of more severe misalignment, we could recommend braces. While these are mental, we can use ceramic to create the brackets we place on the front facing sides of each tooth. Ceramic is strong and durable, and can be color-matched to blend with your smile seamlessly. This means we only need metal for the thin arch wire, which makes the orthodontics less visible. We then adjust tension in the wire, which is connected to the brackets, to begin moving the teeth in optimal positions. Total treatment could take about two years on average.
Invisalign® Aligners
We also have a completely clear treatment option with Invisalign®. Instead of metal brackets and wires, we use the iTero® digital scanning system to create a 3D computer impression of your smile. This enables us to design and craft a series of aligners from clear plastic material. The aligners are worn for two weeks at a time, 20 to 22 hours a day. After two weeks, you begin wearing the next set in the series as your smile is carefully and gradually corrected. For most patients, total treatment time falls between one year and 18 months. These aligners can also be removed before your teen eats or brushes and flosses.
If you have any questions, then contact our team today to learn more.
Ready to Help Your Teen’s Smile?
We would like to help your entire family enjoy more even and healthy smiles. If you have any questions about improving the alignment of the smile, or if you would like to schedule an appointment soon, please call Lake Country Orthodontics in Fort Worth, TX at (817) 236-7846. Our office proudly serves patients who live in White Settlement, North Fort Worth, and all surrounding communities.
