
Braces can change a person's life — not just their appearance but their dental health as well. To be honest, though, wearing braces are, well, kind of a drag — especially for teenagers.
Braces can be restrictive and confining; you'll also have to give up certain favorite foods for a while. But more than any of that, they're just plain unattractive. Even being able to choose colors for the brackets and elastic bands can't fully ease a teenager's embarrassment when they smile.
There is, however, an alternative to braces: clear aligners. And they could make orthodontic treatment during this difficult phase of their life much easier to handle.
Clear aligners are a set of clear plastic trays that can be taken in and out of the mouth. Each of the custom-designed trays is slightly smaller than the previous one in the series. After wearing the first tray for a couple of weeks (at least 20 to 22 hours a day), the patient switches to the next tray in the series. They repeat this process until they've worn all the trays. The gradual change from tray to tray moves the teeth to the desired position.
Clear aligners have some distinct advantages over braces, especially for younger patients. They can be removed for cleaning or for a rare special event. They don't limit movement as much as braces. And, they're nearly invisible — other people may not even notice them. And newer aligners are now designed with tiny “power ridges” that increase their movement capabilities. This has made them more useful for teenagers with complicated bite problems and other issues.
There are cases, though, where braces may be the better choice: where you need more control over tooth movement or the patient needs jaw surgery to achieve proper tooth alignment. And their removability could be an issue if the patient won't leave them in their mouth for the necessary time each day.
To find out if clear aligners might be a viable option for your teenager, visit us for a complete orthodontic examination. We can then discuss your best option — clear aligners or braces — to achieve the most desirable outcome for your teenager.
If you would like more information on treating bite problems in teenagers with clear aligners, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Clear Aligners for teens.”
Comments:
Hyannis Dental Associates
Hyannis Dental Associates
Hyannis, MA 02601-2902
Patient Education
Archive:
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
- 2012
Tags
- celebrity smiles (95)
- orthodontic treatment (9)
- cosmetic dentistry (28)
- smile makeover (11)
- dental implant (9)
- veneers (6)
- dental crowns (1)
- orthodontics (5)
- braces (9)
- clear aligners (3)
- dental emergencies (1)
- dental injuries (1)
- oral hygiene (22)
- tooth decay (13)
- oral health (35)
- pregnancy (2)
- missing tooth (1)
- replacing teeth (1)
- dental implants (15)
- x-rays (3)
- sealants (1)
- pediatric dentistry (18)
- fluoride (4)
- bleeding gums (1)
- periodontal disease (7)
- gum disease (13)
- oral sedation (1)
- sedation dentistry (2)
- sleep apnea (3)
- teeth whitening (6)
- dentures (3)
- toothache (3)
- pediatric care (2)
- plastic surgery (1)
- gum recession (2)
- floss (1)
- bruxism (1)
- dental hygiene (2)
- blood pressure (1)
- bridge (2)
- porcelain veneers (5)
- periodontal plastic surgery (1)
- herbal remedy (1)
- oral cancer (3)
- root canal (2)
- endodontics (1)
- water (1)
- nutrition (1)
- jaw pain (3)
- tmj (2)
- tmd (2)
- accessory root canals (1)
- periodontal surgery (1)
- wisdom teeth (6)
- oral surgery (1)
- sensitive teeth (2)
- partial denture (1)
- tmj disorders (4)
- tooth grinding (1)
- topical fluoride (1)
- bonding (1)
- bad breath (2)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- crowns (4)
- dental anxiety (1)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- smile design (2)
- cold sore (1)
- root canal treatment (6)
- teeth wear (1)
- retainers (1)
- mouthguards (4)
- periodontal (gum) disease (1)
- geographic tongue (1)
- dental emergency (1)
- dental injury (7)
- mouthguard (1)
- dental exam (1)
- chipped tooth (4)
- thumb sucking (1)
- plaque (1)
- teething (1)
- oral heath (1)
- teeth grinding (3)
- removable partial denture (2)
- diabetes (2)
- bone grafting (1)
- tooth pain (2)
- extraction (1)
- local anesthesia (1)
- canker sores (1)
- gerd (1)
- snoring (2)
- retainer (1)
- x-ray (1)
- dental care (1)
- antibiotics (1)
- vaping (2)
- bridgework (1)