Orthodontic Treatments for Teenagers
When To Have An Evaluation
As a parent, you want the best for your teenager, including a healthy and beautiful smile. If your child has crooked teeth or other dental problems, orthodontic treatment may be necessary. Crooked teeth can lead to oral health issues. Braces for teenagers have come a long way, and there are now several options to choose from.
Orthodontic treatment is a dental specialty that focuses on correcting the position of teeth and jaws. It typically involves the use of braces or clear aligners to move teeth into the correct position. The most common age to begin treatment is between 11-13 years old, as this is when the teeth are still developing and easier to move.
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Call today to set up your free one-on-one consultation with Dr. Randall. We want to help you smile with confidence!
Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment for Your Teenagers
- There are many benefits to getting braces for your teenager, including:
- Straighter Teeth: Braces help to move teeth into their correct position, resulting in a straighter and more beautiful smile. This includes crooked teeth as well as gaps.
- Improved Oral Health: Crooked teeth can make it difficult to clean properly, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. By correcting the position of the teeth, braces can improve oral health.
- Improved Self-Esteem: Many teenagers feel self-conscious about their smiles. By straightening their teeth, braces can improve their self-esteem and confidence.
- Improved Bite: Orthodontic treatment can also correct bite problems such as overbite, underbite, and crossbite, which can cause discomfort, difficulty chewing, and other dental problems.
Examples of Treatment
Each teenager develops at their own pace, and as evidenced by the before and after pictures, some may require early orthodontic treatment in Idaho Falls. However, not all teenagers need braces at a young age and may be able to wait until they are older or not require orthodontic treatment at all. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss the importance of early evaluation and the benefits it can offer, as well as the braces options available for younger patients at Randall Orthodontics.
Contact Randall Orthodontics today to schedule a consultation or need to make an early orthodontic treatment evaluation in Idaho Falls for your teenager.
Should We Wait Till the Adult Teeth Have Grown In?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children get their first evaluation from a certified children’s orthodontics specialist in Idaho Falls around the age of 7. We understand that this doesn’t always happen, but as you child grows into their teen years it is still not too late. You can still take advantage of some of the benefits of starting braces when your child is still growing and developing.
During these developmental years, the adult teeth will be coming in. Your orthodontist will be able to catch potential issues such as abnormal jaw development, malocclusion, cross-bite, narrow jaw, overcrowding vs. spacing, etc. If any of these issues are identified by your Idaho Falls orthodontist, he or she may recommend a few different treatment options, including partial braces, full braces, or even a type of retainer.
It’s crucial to the child’s orthodontic health that any dental issues are caught early on while the bones are still growing. Before early orthodontics treatment in Idaho Falls or what is also known as interceptive orthodontics was popular an orthodontist would remove permanent teeth. If a person’s teeth were overcrowded or had other bone structural issues in the jaw, the orthodontist would remove a few of the permanent teeth in order to fit the rest of the teeth together correctly.
By starting orthodontic treatment during the teenage years, orthodontists can take advantage of the growing bones to position the teeth properly at a younger age without removing any permanent teeth.
Will Getting Braces Solve My Teenagers Dental Issues?
It is important to note that even if your teenager does require early orthodontic treatment, they may still need braces or another type of orthodontic treatment later in life. However, if they do participate in early orthodontic treatment in Idaho Falls as a teenager, they most likely will not have to wear braces as long as someone who didn’t have previous treatment. The most common dental maladies that require interceptive orthodontics include cross bites and protruding front teeth.
Types of Orthodontic Treatments For Teenagers in Idaho Falls
There are many orthodontic solutions to treat dental issues at an early age. From braces to retainers and everything in between. Your child’s needs will determine the treatment plan your orthodontist recommends. In some cases, a baby tooth may need to be removed in order to help the permanent teeth erupt into the desired position. Whatever the case, contact Randall Orthodontics to schedule a consultation about what treatment option will be the best for your child. The goal at Randall Orthodontics is to utilize this stage of development in the most advantageous way. The point of early orthodontic treatment is to reduce treatment time not extend it. You can rest assured that all treatment plans will be performed during the most favorable conditions.
If your child does require braces, he or she will be able to choose from the following options, as long as they have been approved by your early children’s orthodontist in Idaho Falls.
- Traditional (Metal Braces) – This is the type of braces that many of us envision when discussing braces. Using two main components, wires and brackets, traditional braces move teeth by applying pressure. Traditional braces are usually the most affordable type of braces and can be used to treat both simple and complex dental issues.
- Self-Ligating Braces (The Damon System) – Self-ligating braces are designed to move the teeth in the same way that traditional braces do with wires and brackets. However, these braces use clips to hold the wire in place rather than the rubber band tie system. Self-ligating braces are designed to work faster than traditional braces and are said to be less painful than other types of braces currently available.
- Ceramic Braces – Ceramic braces are another common type of braces that many teenagers and children like to use since they are the same color as the teeth. This makes them less noticeable than traditional braces. Ceramic braces work exactly the same way as metal braces. The only difference is that they are less noticeable and can be a little more expensive than traditional metal braces.
- Clear Aligners – These “clear braces” in Idaho Falls work to straighten the teeth by using customized clear trays that have been created using the patient’s teeth and x-rays. These trays work as a system that slowly moves the teeth into position without the need for brackets and wires. Clear aligners or invisible aligners can be taken off while eating and brushing your teeth.
If your child is seven or older and has yet to receive an early orthodontic evaluation in Idaho Falls, call Randall Orthodontics today to make an appointment at your earliest convenience.
Request A Free Consultation
Call today to set up your free one-on-one consultation with Dr. Randall. We want to help you smile with confidence!
