Teens and braces go together all around the world like bright and healthy smiles. Whether your teen’s smile needs simple straightening or more complex alignment, you might be delighted to know orthodontic care has come a long way in recent years. New technologies and treatments make care more comfortable and convenient, producing results with more accuracy and speed in a variety of ways from clear and colorful braces to a clear aligner approach that is altogether invisible with innovations such as Invisalign® Teen.
How Do I Know If My Teen Needs Braces?
Braces are able to fix many orthodontic issues, some that you may have already noticed, and others that could require a diagnosis from a doctor. The most obvious reason for getting braces is crooked teeth, but overcrowding and bite misalignment are also common issues that can be solved with braces. The best way to determine if your teen is a candidate for braces is to book a consultation with your local orthodontist. During this first appointment, the doctor will do a visual exam and take x-rays to get a better understanding of the tooth and jaw positions. If your teen requires treatment, the orthodontist will be able to explain the treatment process to you and answer all of your questions. The typical treatment time with braces is two years, though this really depends on what kinds of issues need to be addressed. For more cosmetic fixes, the treatment time will be shorter, but for serious misalignment or crowding problems, the process will likely take longer. If there are no pressing issues, they may ask you to return for a check-up after a year or so.
What Type of Braces Should My Teen Wear?
Thanks to innovations in the world of orthodontics, there are now multiple options available for braces. You can speak with your orthodontist about which type of braces will best suit your teen’s needs and lifestyle. Most people know that traditional braces use metal brackets and wires to pull teeth into place. Small elastics will be placed on the brackets to keep everything in place, and your teen is able to choose their favorite color combinations for these elastics or keep them clear if they want. These braces will require periodic visits to the orthodontist office so that the wires can be tightened manually by a technician.
Clear braces are very similar to traditional braces in that they use brackets on the front of the teeth to apply pressure. Instead of metal brackets, clear braces use a ceramic material that mimics the natural color of the tooth, making it very hard to notice that your teen is wearing braces at all.
Self-ligating braces look identical to traditional braces, but they use a specialized type of bracket to consistently tighten the braces. This can cut down on visits to the orthodontist’s office for manual tightenings and tends to be more comfortable than traditional braces. Another benefit of self-ligating braces is that there is less plaque buildup around the brackets than traditional braces, making them a more hygienic alternative.
Braces for Teens Reviews
From start to finish, our new consultation with Dr. Davis was second to none! Our daughter received her new braces on the first visit. The office is not only gorgoes but staff are warm, professional and proficient. Mia sends her thank yous! Special thank you to the nice lady in scheduling for your compassion, I had to change this appointment a couple times and was never made to feel uncomfortable. Again, thank you Dr. Davis and staff, you Rock!
It was an amazing experience with Farina Ortho! Start to finish! Our Dentist recommended my son (10) to proceed with braces and we were terrified but they made it clear in every step! From insurance and coverage to a treatment plan! Marlene was amazing! She made it super easy for me-Mom to understand the process, and especially what to expect!! We had the braces put on today actually and it all went so smooth that even my son who was super terrified with this whole idea for next 12-18 months told me that he kind of liked it and looked cool! This could not be better! Clean clinic, professional stuff just well rounded care! Thank you!
I highly recommend Farina for installing your braces. They are very kind and considerate on how you’re feeling and if you have any discomfort. I am very happy with my final results since I did get my braces off today!! A rubber band a day keeps the teeth shifting away!
Our experience with this orthodontist was truly exceptional! The free online consultation was incredibly easy and saved us a lot of time. We scanned and submitted images of my child’s teeth from home, and then had a phone consultation with the doctor to review the treatment plan ,all before even stepping into the office.I downloaded the Smile Doctors app, which made communication with the team seamless. When we arrived for the in-person appointment, everyone was so kind, professional, and efficient. I was amazed by how smoothly everything went.Elizabeth was especially patient and accommodating with my child, who was a bit nervous. Dr. Franco was very knowledgeable and took the time to explain everything, and Dr. Farina was warm and welcoming. We were even able to get my child’s top braces placed the same day!To make the experience even more special, they provided my child with some gifts and congratulated her on getting her braces, it really helped her feel proud and excited about the process.I highly recommend this team, especially for busy parents. Their at-home scanner and the Smile Doctors app make everything so convenient and modern. Truly a 5-star experience!
My daughter just got her braces off at Farina Orthodontics in Wesley Chapel, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with her new smile! Dr. Davis and Dr. Franco have been wonderful throughout the entire process. They were patient, kind, and always took the time to explain things in a way we both understood.The staff made every appointment a positive experience, and my daughter always felt comfortable and cared for. The transformation in her smile is amazing, and it has truly boosted her confidence.Thank you to the whole team at Farina Wesley Chapel we are so grateful for your professionalism and genuine care! Highly recommend to any parent looking for orthodontic care for their child.
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Lifestyle Changes with Braces
Braces should not seriously alter your teen’s life, though there are some precautions that they should keep in mind day-to-day. It is a good idea to avoid hard, chewy, or sticky foods, as these can break or damage the braces. If your teen does happen to eat food that is off-limits and their braces break, call your orthodontist immediately to come in for an appointment. They can use the dental wax provided by your orthodontist to keep any wires from poking their gums in the meantime, when participating in sports or other physical activity, your teen should wear a braces-friendly mouthguard to protect their teeth.
Braces do tend to cause some soreness or discomfort, especially after visits to the orthodontist. This can be alleviated by eating soft foods and taking a pain reliever for the first day or so after an appointment. If the metal brackets rubbing against the inside of your gums or tongue is causing tenderness, you can put some dental wax on top to cover the brackets and leave a smooth surface.
One last thing to keep in mind is that you will need to spend a few extra minutes taking care of your dental hygiene with braces. Taking the time to really brush between brackets and use a special flosser provided by your orthodontist is important to keep your teeth healthy and white throughout treatment.
