Braces For Teens

Being a teen is hard enough. We want to make orthodontic treatment EASY so you can get back to the things that really matter!

What Are My Options:

We offer a few braces options for teens just like you that are much more comfortable and less noticeable than braces of the past (ask your parents about when THEY had braces – totally different story!) Check out some of the braces options for teens below. Dr. Thurman and our smile squad will discuss these options with you at your initial consultation so we can choose the treatment option that best fits your lifestyle!

Metal Braces

One of the most common braces for teens are the metal braces. They hold the teeth together using metal brackets and wires. The modern metal braces are smaller and less obvious as compared to older models, but they work exactly the same way. They are the least expensive option.

Clear Braces

These are more discrete as compared to the metal braces. Though they are the same size and shape of the metal braces, the brackets of ceramic braces blend in your teen’s natural tooth color. They also correct alignment quicker.

Invisalign Teen

Invisalign Teen is becoming a popular choice among our teen patients. With Invisalign, your treatment is virtually invisible! Instead of brackets and wires, custom clear plastic aligners are created. You simply switch to a new set of aligners every few weeks to shift your teeth into the desired position! Not only are they clear but since they’re removable, you can eat and drink what you want without any restrictions. Try not to rub it in to your braces wearing friends at the movies when you’re munching on popcorn 😉

Lingual braces

Lingual braces are made like the metal braces but their placement is different. Unlike metal braces, lingual braces are placed on the inside of the mouth, behind the teeth. This makes the braces completely invisible but since they are placed behind the teeth, it gets really difficult to clean them. Lingual braces will also require more adjustments over time.

How long will treatment take?

This is one of the first questions we get from our teen patients. And a valid one! Lucky for you, Dr. Thurman uses the most advanced technologies available to get you smiling faster than ever before! The amount of time it takes to complete your customized treatment plan will depend on several things including your age, individual orthodontic needs and concerns and how active and involved you are in your care. You must be willing to commit to achieve the best result. We know you can do it! The average treatment time at our office is about 18 months but it varies for each patient.

5 Tips to Choose Teen Braces

Consider the Teen’s Preference
Take the teen’s preference into consideration before making the final decision. While many teens prefer Invisalign as they are nearly invisible and doesn’t affect their appearance during special events like graduations or prom, there are some who wouldn’t mind going for the traditional metal braces. Talk to the teens and understand what they would prefer.

Understand the Care Required
You cannot eat certain foods when you have metal braces, which makes it difficult to keep up with good oral hygiene. Invisalign aligners can be removed while eating, flossing or brushing, thus ensuring good dental practices are maintained. It is important to be clear about the care involved with each treatment option before getting anything fixed.

Consider the Teen’s Activity Level
If the teen is actively into sports, then a removable aligner would be a smarter choice than metal braces as they can take out the aligners before games. This helps in avoiding breaking the expensive orthodontic appliances.

Consider the Cost
The prices of braces vary from one another. For instance, traditional braces are less expensive than Invisalign. You must consider the costs associated with all the braces and reach a conclusion based on your budget.

Understand the Teen’s Responsibility Level
When the teen has braces, it matters how responsible they actually are when it comes to taking care of them. Invisalign braces can be taken out, which means teens need to have the self-discipline to wear them at least 22 hours per day. If they forget to wear the aligners, the treatment would be ineffective.

But I need to EAT! How do I do that with braces?

Ok. We know word gets around. Yes, there are some limitations to your diet while you are in treatment with braces. But it’s really not that bad. We promise! We’ll go over the complete list of what you can and can’t eat while wearing braces at your appointment but basically, avoid anything hard, sticky or chewy and you should be good to go! AND, if you’re a candidate for Invisalign Teen, there are way less restrictions on what you can eat because your aligners are removable! Remember, keep the finish line in mind. You’ll be done before you know it and have a beautiful smile to show for it!

Click here to request a free consultation with Dr. Thurman. We’re happy to discuss your options for the smile of your dreams.