For Teens

Orthodontics for Teens

Braces, Retainers, and Everything Else that you want to know about Orthodontics!

You've just heard the three words that every teen dreads: "YOU NEED BRACES!"

Braces!

What now?

Don't stress, braces really aren't as bad as you may think; in fact, braces today come in a variety of styles and materials, making life with braces much easier, more comfortable, and even more stylish than in the past.

First things first – the one thing that teens just like you always want to know is "how long will I need to wear braces?"

The amount of time it takes to treat your smile with braces depends on three key factors:

Early treatment – Early treatment allows orthodontists to monitor the growth of the jaw and recommend further orthodontic treatment if it becomes necessary. Not everybody receives early orthodontic treatment, and in some cases, it may be recommended that a patient wait until they are older to receive treatment.
What needs correction – the amount of treatment needed in order to correct a problem will determine how long the process takes. Different patients react to treatments differently; so, while it may take one patient only 12 months to complete their treatment, it may take another patient 24 months. Treatment times can vary depending on how quickly your body responds and how much work is needed to give you the show-stopping smile you expect.
YOU! – your willingness to use the appliances your orthodontist gives you plays a major role in the length of time it takes to complete your treatment. Always remember to take care of your braces and appliances; this truly will help make your treatment shorter!

Your Braces, Your Way!

Braces aren't exactly the clunky chunks of metal that your great aunt wore in her senior pictures. In fact, many of today's braces are hardly even noticeable!

When it comes to braces, our practice offers a variety of types and styles to choose from, including ceramic, plastic, and of course traditional metal. You can even choose the color of the ties that go around your brackets to hold the wires in place! Now is a great time to be wearing braces; so don't be shy, go wild and personalize your braces to fit your personality and lifestyle.

I'm so hungry, but what can I eat?

Eating with braces is another hot topic for many teens your age! You've probably heard from your parents, friends, and even your orthodontist, the long list of foods and beverages that you should avoid consuming while wearing braces.

Don't let this worry you, before long you will be able to eat all of the foods you enjoy; but, until then, you may need to make a few changes to your diet. Check out our Life With Braces page for a list of all the foods you CAN eat and which foods to avoid.

Questions?

Orthodontic braces are a big part of life for many teens your age. While braces may have been given a bad reputation in the past, today wearing braces makes it easy to look good and feel good while giving you the perfect smile ever! Please contact our practice with any questions you may have; or, to schedule your next appointment.

"Dr. Sean Holliday pulled this
"tiny miracle" off… as he
promised Taylor straight teeth
by his senior year. And he did
it with 6 months to spare!"

Tiny Tadani
Read more…

Taylor Tadani