During adolescence, a teenager may experience problems with crooked teeth or an unstable jaw or gum structure. If so, braces for teens are available to help straighten out the teeth during this critical time in oral development. A local dentist provides comprehensive cosmetic dentistry services that include brace and orthodontics.
If you believe that your child may need braces, you should schedule a dental exam with your dentist. An exam will reveal any issues with your child’s teeth and whether braces are the best option. With braces, your teenager can look forward to a better future for their teeth.
Four Types of Braces for Teens
Due to advances in dental technology, there are now multiple options available for braces including:
1. Metal Braces
Metal braces are still the most common and popular type of braces for teenagers. Metal braces use brackets and wires to hold teeth together. Newer products are small and not as obvious as traditional braces. Metal braces are still one of the most affordable options compared to other products.
2. Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are going in popularity because of how well they blend in with natural teeth. As such, they are more discrete and draw less attention to your teenager. Ceramic braces also align your teeth faster than traditional metal braces. However, a teen may wear ceramic braces for up to 18 months just like metal braces, depending on the dental condition.
3. Lingual Braces
The difference between metal braces and lingual braces is the position of the brace. Lingual braces are positioned on the inside of the tooth instead of the outside. The benefit of lingual braces is that they are not visible. The drawback to lingual braces is that they are more difficult to keep clean. Also, a person may wear lingual braces for up to three years, followed by a retainer.
4. Invisalign Braces
A cosmetic dentist in Atascocita, TX may recommend Invisalign braces due to their comfort and reliability. Invisalign braces are nearly invisible and blend in with your child’s teeth. The aligners fit over your teen’s teeth easily. While this method is popular and easy to perform, the aligners must be replaced every two to three weeks. Total wear time for this type of braces for teens is three weeks.
How Do You Know When Your Teen Needs Braces?
There are several indicators that your teenager may need braces such as:
- They lose their baby teeth too early or too late
- Eating, biting, or chewing becomes a challenge
- The child is breathing through their mouth instead of their nose
- Problems with sleep apnea or snoring emerge during adolescence
- The teeth are misaligned, spaced out, or crowded
- The jaws start popping or shifting
In addition, you may notice that your child accidentally bites their cheeks more often or that their teeth meet abnormally. Your child’s jaw may be out of proportion with their fact or they have trouble with their speech. Regardless of the problems, it is important to schedule a dental exam with your dentist to identify the problem and find a solution.
Braces for Teens Are Available in Atascocita, TX
If you notice that your teenage child has problems with their gums, teeth, or jaw, then you may want to schedule a dental exam with an orthodontist in Atascocita, TX. An orthodontist can conduct a thorough evaluation and let you know what condition your teenager has. Furthermore, they can provide a solution such as braces or other dental procedures. With the right medical procedure, your teenager can enjoy their teeth for a lifetime. Now is the time to take advantage of braces for teens.