Month: October 2022

Orthodontic treatment for teens is different from that of children. Teens, unlike children, have fully developed teeth and have shed most of their primary teeth. The teenage years are the best to correct teeth defects and have a lifetime of healthy and attractive teeth.

Teen years ranging from 12 to 16 are best for orthodontic treatment. It’s no coincidence that the majority of people across the USA receive orthodontic treatment at that stage. It’s popular since most teens have already fully developed permanent teeth. Sunny Smiles Kids offers orthodontics across Del Mar. They offer exclusive services for teens.

For teens, the primary concern of pursuing orthodontics is to improve the aesthetic value of their teeth and faces. However, it’s notable that the treatment improves your teens’ oral health and overall health. Properly aligned teeth enhance proper chewing, are easy to clean, and effectively prevent tooth cavities and gum disease. Furthermore, well-aligned teeth are less prone to wear, cracking, chipping, and other dental-related defects.

Orthodontic treatment procedure

Once you visit our top-rated orthodontist, they perform a thorough examination and create a personalized treatment plan. A professional dentist recommends an ideal orthodontic appliance for your treatment.

Since teens lead some very engaging lifestyles such as sports, academics, partying, and socialization, they have diverse treatment options.

You choose the treatment option that perfectly fits your lifestyle and matches your personal preference. Treatment options include clear braces, metal braces, gold braces, and clear aligners such as clarity and Invisalign. All these treatment options are highly effective in giving you a perfect smile resembling your favorite celebrities.

Time for treatment varies across different teens because it depends on various factors such as the correction needed and teen discipline. The treatment process takes about six months for individuals with less affected teeth.

On the other hand, badly damaged teeth require a longer time for a complete restoration, usually 16 – 20 months. The time you take to recover also depends on your discipline. If you adhere strictly to the dentist’s instructions, you are sure of less treatment time.

Getting started

1. Schedule your free consultation with the dentist near you. You inform the dentist of your smile goals. The dentist also assesses your current dental structures to correctly determine the treatment options to pick.
2. Complete a patients form
3. The dentist creates a personalized treatment plan detailing the selected treatment options, the schedule, and the pricing.
4. Treatment starts to give you a perfect smile.

Types of orthodontics services

• Metal braces

Metal braces are the oldest form of braces. Although the traditional metal braces were bulky, the modern ones are sleek and lighter. They also look good and are more comfortable.

• Clear braces

They are also known as ceramic braces. They are similar to metal braces but lack brackets. They are made of whitish ceramic material to resemble the natural color of teeth. Teens like clear braces since they blend exceptionally well with their smiles. On the flip side, they are fragile and a bit expensive. Most dentists do not recommend them for most teens.

• Gold braces

The gold braces are robust like metal braces and delicate like ceramic braces. Their unique color blends excellently with your beautiful smile.

• Lingual braces

Lingual braces are best to straighten your smile. The brackets have been placed tactfully on the back of the teeth and thus are not visible. They are the best option for image-conscious patients.

• Clear aligners

The clear aligner system comprises fully customized clear trays. The aligners are almost invisible and removable. They are made of soft plastic and comfortable, thus creating zero friction and preventing abrasions in the mouth.

Your teen changes the aligner weekly. If the teen wears the aligners for about 20-22 hours daily, their teeth slowly slide into the desired position. Clear aligners are best for minor to reasonable orthodontic issues.

Signs of orthodontic issues

• Protruding teeth
• Misaligned teeth
• Irregular loss of primary teeth
• Difficulty when biting and chewing food
• jaws and teeth that have misaligned with the face

Advantages of a straight smile

• Enhanced self-esteem and confidence
• Easy to clean teeth
• Improves biting and chewing
• Critical in preventing tooth decay and cavities
• Tolerant to wear and tear, chipping, cracking, and tooth trauma
• Minimizes the chances of developing gum disease, which can lead to fatal consequences

Conclusion

Orthodontics for teens is an investment for many years to come. Teens respond quicker to orthodontic treatment, and thus it’s best to conduct the procedure during their teenage years. The quick response leads to a shorter treatment time and thus minimal cost. Besides, Sunny Smiles Kids is a top-rated orthodontist near you, and they offer a free consultation with the dentist.

Are your child’s teeth crooked or misaligned? The earlier you can fix the better. Straightening their smile will significantly improve their smile, self-confidence, and oral health.

When it comes to choosing pediatric orthodontic treatment, there are several options. These can include metal braces, clear aligners, or lingual braces.

While all these options are effective, you might be confused about which option is best to correct your child’s bite and align their teeth.

Our pediatric dentists can recommend self-ligating braces based on their needs and condition. Let’s learn about self-ligating braces and what to expect from the treatment.

What are Self-Ligating Braces?

Self-ligating braces are closely similar to conventional braces. Conventional braces involve a metal wire running through small fixtures or brackets attached to the teeth.

The wire is adjusted gradually to move the teeth in the desired direction. The archwire is joined to the brackets using elastic rubber bands or metal ties.

Like traditional braces, self-ligating braces use metal wires and brackets. However, they don’t use rubber bands or metal ties to hold the archwire to the brackets.

Instead, they use special clips built into the bracket itself. The brackets maintain constant pressure on the archwire, gradually moving teeth in the desired direction.

Benefits of Self-Ligating Braces

There are several benefits of self-ligating braces, including:

• Shorter orthodontic visits

Like traditional braces, you must adjust self-ligating braces regularly to continue moving the teeth. Adjusting self-ligating brackets is quick and less time-consuming than conventional braces.

• Improved appearance and self-confidence

After treatment, you will have well-aligned teeth. It dramatically improves your child’s smile and self-confidence.

• Improved oral health

Ligatures in braces can trap debris in and around your brackets, leading to bacterial plaque, which causes bad breath, cavities, and gum disease. Self-ligating braces don’t use ligatures, making them easier to clean. Similarly, self-ligating braces align your kid’s teeth, making them easier to clean.

• Comfort

Compared to traditional braces, self-ligating braces are more comfortable.

How Long Does Treatment Take?

Like conventional braces, self-ligating braces effectively correct numerous orthodontic problems such as complex misalignments, improper teeth gaps, and overcrowding.

They are as effective as conventional treatment. The treatment takes an average of 12 – 30 months, depending on your child’s condition. Our pediatric dentist near you will evaluate their condition to determine how long the treatment will take.

Factors That Can Impact Treatment Time

Several factors can affect orthodontic treatments, making the treatment shorter or longer. That’s why self-ligating treatment is customized according to a child’s specific needs. Watch out for these factors:

• Oral Hygiene

Unlike clear aligners, self-ligating braces aren’t removable – only the dentist can remove them. They are bonded to your teeth and adjusted at intervals. Your child will eat, drink, and brush with the braces on. It increases the risk of damage, teeth yellowing, and plaque build-up.

Your child must brush and floss their teeth regularly and after meals to remove trapped food leftovers on the teeth and braces. It significantly reduces the risk of cavities and teeth staining.

• Diet

Unfortunately, your child might have to cut off certain foods once they begin the treatment. For instance, chewing hard items like ice can cause the braces to break or dislodge.

Similarly, limiting sugary and acidic food items in their diet prevents cavities. Highly colored foods can also stain teeth and braces. Throughout the treatment, consider feeding your child a relatively soft diet with fewer sugars, starches, and colors.

• Oral Habits

Along with proper diet and hygiene, warn your child against damaging habits that can affect their treatment. For instance, they should avoid using their teeth as tools to open cans or play games.

If your child’s braces get damaged or dislodged, don’t be tempted to readjust them yourself. Notify the pediatric dentist for re-adjustment or repair. Fixing the braces on your own can cause further damage or discomfort to the child.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Are you interested in self-ligating braces in Del Mar? Contact Sunny Smile Kids to begin your kid’s journey for a straighter smile.