As children enter their teen years, maintaining good oral hygiene is important. Braces, fluctuating hormones, nutrition, and mouth jewelry can contribute to dental issues ranging from tooth decay to tongue and gum infections. Understanding teen dentistry needs and learning about the different services pediatric dentists can offer them helps ensure that your child receives the appropriate treatments and procedures when necessary.
Invisalign Teen
Children’s dental offices offer Invisalign aligners for teens as an alternative to braces to straighten misaligned teeth and correct issues such as overbites and underbites. Invisalign differs from traditional metal braces because they are crafted with clear plastic to make them barely visible and they’re changed out every few weeks as the teeth shift. While specific lengths of time can vary per patient, Invisalign aligners typically produce optimal results within two years.
Orthodontics
When it comes to traditional braces, dental practices with specializations in orthodontics offer a wide range of services. Metal braces and clear braces consist of brackets bonded to the teeth. A metal band is affixed between the brackets to help align the teeth by creating slight pressure. Braces typically take between 16 to 18 months to produce results, however, some patients with severely misaligned teeth may need to wear braces for up to five years.
Understanding Your Teen’s Dental Needs
Whether it’s the need for braces to fix misaligned teeth or wisdom teeth extractions to prevent future dental issues, teenagers often have multiple dental needs that need to be addressed within short periods of time. Discussing any symptoms or issues your teen may be experiencing with a dental professional is a helpful way to prepare for treatments and procedures and stay informed on the teenager’s dental health.
