Being a teenager can present challenges when peer pressure is at the forefront. For most children ages 13-19, appearances and self-confidence are everything. As a teenager’s smile makes the first impression to others about connecting and relating, any crooked or missing teeth may present problems. From an early age, correcting problematic teeth are essential to the success of a teenager. How to get there is a whole different story.
In The Beginning
Parents who begin a dental plan with their children understand that a successful academic and social life can impact their future. Continuous visits to the family dentist will not only help the structure of the teens’ smile, it might also detect any occurrences that offset perfectly white teeth. If braces are needed, your dentist will provide a custom dental plan that offers how the journey looks and the timeline to get your child there.
Traditional Braces or Invisalign
Now that the decision has been made to straighten your child’s teeth, it’s time to consider which choice would work best–Invisalign or traditional metal braces. Here are the pros and cons of both:
Metal Braces
When you think of braces, the first thing that comes to mind is brackets and wires tightly adhered to the teeth, sometimes referred to as “a mouth full of metal.” However, today’s braces are far less invasive and obvious. Some are smaller and incorporate heat-activated wires on the arch of the mouth that uses the body’s heat to speed up results and reduce any associated pain.
–Pros – Metal braces are the most cost-effective, and colored wire bands are available. A child gets to pick their band options at the dentist’s office.
–Cons – They are the most noticeable forms of braces.
Invisalign
This newest form of braces has rapidly become the most popular, especially among the young adult population. Invisalign braces are a series of 18-30 custom-made clear, plastic teeth aligners that resemble a mouth guard. Every two weeks, the aligners are removed and replaced to continue the progress towards a successful smile.
–Pros – The aligners are visually invisible. There are also no restrictions on food and beverage intake, and they can be removed during mealtime.
–Cons – There aren’t many negatives to wearing Invisalign for a teenager. The only glaring problem could be that they can be easily lost, and replacements are costly. Also, achievement of smile results may take longer than the traditional braces.
If a parent talks to their teenager’s orthodontist about all of the options and gets a firm understanding of which will work best for the child and the family budget, chances are the path to a pleasing facial expression is not far off.
Dr. Grussmark Is Part Of That Journey
At the Centre for Invisible Orthodontics, Dr. Grussmark and his talented team have developed the Invisalign Teen System. It offers convenience, discreet tooth straightening, and freedom from traditional braces. Whether the teenager is self-conscious about their smile or needs straighter teeth for health reasons, we are ready to bring them out of their shell with our clear aligners. Make that first step towards smile success by giving us a call and scheduling a consultation. We want to help transform your teenager’s life.