The teenage years are an exciting time of life, full of first experiences and new challenges but adolescence can be a stressful time as well. Most teens would just like to blend in with their peers and avoid doing anything that might cause criticism or embarrassment. Coincidentally, this is the age group that is most adaptable to orthodontic treatment but the thought of having to wear braces can be a formidable prospect for the self conscious teenager.
At the other end of the spectrum there is the teen who does want to stand out from the crowd. He’s the one who runs the best campaign for student council president, she’s the girl who is first to wear the latest fashion fad. Fortunately, there are orthodontic options that will appeal to both the introvert and the extrovert.
Metal braces have improved over the years. Because the modern brackets are smaller in size they are easier to take care of and much more comfortable to wear. They can even be customized and decorated in colors and designs to suit the individual wearer. Fashion brackets for instance, can be in the shape of a favorite flower or sports emblem and the connecting bands come in an array of color choices.
For those tweens and teens who prefer not to draw attention to themselves there are clear tooth aligners and lingual braces. Tooth aligner systems use a clear plastic removable appliance to guide the teeth back into position. They fit over the teeth much like a whitening tray except that they are much thinner and are virtually invisible when in place.
Lingual braces are placed on the back of the teeth rather than on the front surface so that they are not at all noticeable. They do require some getting used to however, and speaking clearly may be difficult at first, practice makes perfect.
A professional evaluation will help to decide if your teen is ready for orthodontic therapy and if so which system will work best for him. Consult with Dr. Patterson of Epic Dentistry for Kids in Aurora, call the office today @ 720-721-3600.
