Teen Braces on the Upper West Side
Many teens receive orthodontic treatment during their adolescent years, typically during the ages of 11 to 15 years old. So much so that braces and orthodontic treatment at this time of life are almost considered a rite of passage into adulthood for teenagers everywhere.
The reason for this is that around the age 11 or 12, a child’s permanent teeth (except, in some cases, the third molars, or “wisdom teeth”) have finally come in. When this happens, our Upper West Side orthodontist can accurately evaluate the alignment of the teeth as well as identify any crooked teeth, gaps, or poor alignment. This is the time to correct any problems and create the optimal result for your teen’s perfect smile. At this age, the bones of your teen’s jaw and face are also still growing, so their size and shape can be more easily formed than those of an adult. It’s for this reason that adolescence is most often the ideal time to create a sparkling smile. For orthodontists, it’s a window of opportunity after the permanent teeth have erupted – but before the jaw has finished growing.
With so many teens experiencing treatment with braces and supporting one another, the process becomes more routine and less of a dramatic event.
Treatment Options for Teens
With some teens, early pediatric treatment was necessary while with others, only the adolescent phase of treatment is needed. Either way, today’s teens have more options for achieving straight teeth than their parents ever did! Metal braces are still a popular option, and advances in technology have improved them in many ways. Clear braces and lingual braces are two other options that give teens the advantages of braces with the added benefit of a better aesthetic effect.
When it was introduced, Invisalign was approved only for adults. Things have changed since then and teens have the option of using clear aligners to straighten their teeth. That is great news for teens who prefer clear aligners to braces. Of course, many parents have concerns about compliance. While many teens are responsible, others may not wear the aligners for enough hours to get the desired effect. For this reason, Invisalign Teen includes compliance indicators on the Invisalign Teen aligners, allowing both orthodontists and parents to ensure that the aligners are indeed being worn as directed.
If your teen is interested in Invisalign, keep in mind that it usually takes longer to achieve the final result than braces do. So if your adolescent wants to finish treatment as quickly as possible, then braces might make more sense. However, for many teens, the longer treatment time is not a concern, because Invisalign is discreet and comfortable.
For the Best Results, Maintenance Is Key
If your teen has received orthodontic treatment, it’s important to maintain great results after treatment ends. Adolescents may receive permanent retainers (which are intended to remain in place for several years, or even for life), or they may get removable retainers. In prior years, removable retainers were the most common and many teens opted not to wear these retainers as needed. The result is that many had their teeth slip back out of alignment and are now seeking orthodontic treatment again as adults. Whether you’re a teen or the parent of a teen, know the importance of wearing those retainers. You worked hard and spent money on that beautiful smile, why not make the effort to maintain it for the rest of your life?
5-Star Orthodontic Care with Teen Braces on the Upper West Side
If you’re an adolescent or the parent of an adolescent and are considering orthodontic treatment, come for a consultation at Central Park Orthodontics. Your teen’s smile is an investment in future years of confidence and health so be sure that you’re putting it into the right hands. With an Ivy League education and several years of post-graduate specialty training at a nationally-ranked program, Dr. George Pliakas is the top orthodontist in the Upper West Side. Make your appointment with Dr. Pliakas today by using our online booking system or calling our Upper West Side orthodontics office.
Come experience Central Park Orthodontics on the UWS! You will see we offer 5-star rated orthodontic treatment to patients in NYC, including on the Upper West Side (UWS), Upper East Side (UES), Manhattan, Midtown West, Harlem, Morningside Heights, Chelsea, Columbus Circle, and Washington Heights – and we do it with a smile!
