A smile is an outward sign of joy, excitement, happiness, or appreciation that readily turns on a brighter mood. Smiling often goes a long way in encouraging mental health in teenagers. Thanks to medical science, even young teenagers with braces can put on that beautiful smile shining bright with confidence. Wearing braces can correct numerous potential problems and show off perfectly aligned teeth. Today, there are many varieties of braces available to choose from according to the individual need of the child or teenager .
Traditional braces aren’t what they used to be! In decades past, metal braces were the only option that teenagers had for straightening their teeth. Luckily for today’s teens, technological advances have greatly improved orthodontic options for more comfortable and less noticeable braces.
For a teen as they grow into adults, choosing the right type of braces that fits their lifestyle and their goals such as participation in sports can do wonders to help them achieve success and set them on the proper path to a future of oral health.
Now is the right time!
The teenage years are the best time to consider braces. Teenagers have more pliable jaw bones making it easier to correct the bite, move teeth, and shape the smile unlike in the case of adults where their jawbones are rigidly fused. This is why an Orthodontist will always advise you to start your teenager on braces early – the earlier the better. It means less treatment time too. Proper care taken at this time of life will set your child up for better oral health for the rest of their life.
The key is to determine which option is best for your child. Along with orthodontic concerns that need to be corrected, there are other factors you need to consider including what suits your child’s personality and financial options.
At myPediaclinic, the best orthodontists in Dubai will present an individualized treatment plan after the initial examination and propose a solution that will work best for your child’s unique situation.
What option is best for your child?
There are several options available when considering which braces will be best for your child such as:
Metal Braces
Metal braces are the most common and economical type of braces used to align and straighten teeth. When taken good care of, metal braces are effective and work very fast. Since they are created using stainless steel or titanium, they are very strong, durable, and last long until your child is done with the treatment. One of the significant benefits of metal braces is that they can survive everyday brushing and chewing food.
Invisalign
Made with thin, clear plastic that’s almost invisible, most people won’t even know your child is wearing aligners. The aligners can be cleaned by soaking them in a specially formulated disinfectant or cleaned with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Invisalign aligners are strong, yet fit smoothly against the teeth. The good news is, the aligners are removable – which means your child can eat and drink whatever they want. Unlike metal braces that make oral hygiene very difficult, Invisalign is plain sailing – your child can simply remove the aligners and brush and floss as usual. While removable, your child must be able to wear it for at least 22 hours each day to be more effective. The treatment can take anywhere from a few months to 2 years and is limited to crooked teeth, gaps in teeth, overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite, and some cases of crowding. An orthodontist will advocate an aligner for a teenager, only if your child is willing to wear it for the prescribed amount and will be responsible for not losing any of the aligner trays. Teenagers who may not wear it to the entire amount or will keep displacing it won’t be an ideal fit for having aligners as this will delay treatment time significantly and will prove costly for the parents.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are made of transparent or tooth-colored ceramic and come in varying levels of transparency – their brackets are small, clear, and almost entirely invisible. Even the wire can be made white and blend in better with your child’s teeth. The best part, they aren’t noticeable in pictures!
The course of treatment is between 14-24 months, on average and the duration of the treatment may vary for each according to the child’s individual needs. Ceramic braces remain on your child’s teeth 24/7. This means the treatment is faster.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are as effective as traditional metal braces and work precisely the same way traditional braces do, but in a different position – on the tongue side of the teeth! Known as “incognito braces”, their positioning makes them barely noticeable as they are out of view. They have a bracket and wire design just like their counterparts but stay hidden in the mouth. The fact that they sit behind, means that there is no risk of damage to the surface of the teeth on the front. Even though they are quite difficult to clean, committing to and maintaining good oral hygiene can bring out the best results. With lingual braces, the treatment can take slightly longer, from 6 months to 2 years depending on the complexity. This type of braces are rarely advocated for children or teenagers as they are difficult to tolerate.
Damon braces
Damon braces are tie-less and are used to treat a variety of dental problems. The unique feature of Damon braces is the self-ligating system that allows the teeth to move freely using the thin, shape-memory archwires. The archwires are connected to brackets, instead of elastic ties which makes them clean and attractive. It is often easier to brush and floss without elastic ties, resulting in fewer bacteria in the mouth. Their biggest advantage is that they shorten treatment time than other traditional braces.
Phase I braces for young children
Phase I orthodontic treatment is done for children between the ages of six and ten before all of their permanent teeth erupt. Also known as an early interceptive treatment, the Phase I orthodontic treatment’s goal is to treat bite growth, crossbite, underbite, or the jaw and usually consists of braces that are metal or clear, including appliances such as a palate expander or an orthodontic headgear. Getting every tooth perfect and straight at this age isn’t usually necessary. If you’re not sure if your child has any of these problems, it’s best to schedule an appointment with your child’s pediatric dentist for an evaluation.
Braces for special needs and autism
The type of braces provided for children with special needs and autism may not necessarily be any different than for any other normal child. Be it traditional braces such as metal or removable clear aligners such as Invisalign, your child’s or caretaker’s ability to safely maintain the braces would be taken into consideration during the treatment. myPediaclinic is known for helping kids with special needs and autism get accustomed to their braces and teaching them the importance of good oral habits.
Braces are easy to care for. Regardless of which brace you choose for your child, it is a must to follow the instructions, maintain good oral hygiene, and keep them clean and intact throughout the orthodontic treatment for a healthy set of teeth long term! And the best way to determine which braces suit your child is to discuss your options with an orthodontist at myPediaclinic.
Look no further than myPediaclinic
Our team of experienced award-winning orthodontists at myPediaclinic in Dubai Healthcare City understands how braces can make teens self-conscious, and we’re here to create smiles that last a lifetime. We provide state-of-the-art treatment to young patients in a comfortable and caring atmosphere with efficient treatment. We evaluate your child’s orthodontic needs and treatment options and advise you on the treatment methods that are right for your child! Our goal is to help young teenagers achieve lasting outcomes and oral health.
