Toggle navigation

2034 S. Almont Ave. Imlay City, MI 48444
(810) 724-3909
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. Colossians 3:23

 

To grow in the community through a team of positive, well-trained professionals exceeding patient expectations while serving the community and God.

  • blog
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Request an Appointment

  • Home
  • Our Team
    • Mission Statement
  • Office
  • Our Services
  • New Patients
    • VIP Referral Program
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Reviews
    • Write A Review
    • Read Our Reviews
  • Events
    • Event Winners

Orthodontics and Your Teen

  • Blog Home
  • Dental+Procedures
  • Orthodontics and Your Teen

Orthodontics and Your Teen

By Gentle Family Dentistry
August 18, 2015
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: orthodontic treatment   braces  
OrthodonticsandYourTeen

In many ways, the teenage years are the best time to have orthodontic treatment. It’s a good time emotionally because your teen is likely to have friends who also wear braces; orthodontic treatment becomes a rite of passage they can go through together. It’s also advantageous in a physical sense because all 20 baby teeth have come out, and most of the 32 adult teeth (except the 4 wisdom teeth) have emerged. At the same time, especially with younger teens, jaw growth is not yet complete — allowing orthodontists to harness the growing body’s natural adaptability. We can use a variety of appliances to do that — some of which weren’t around a generation ago!

Appliance Choices

In many cases, traditional metal braces are still the best way to achieve the desired results. However, these are not the “train tracks” of old. Braces are smaller and lighter, with brackets that are cemented to the front surfaces of teeth rather than to bands that encircle the entire tooth (except in the very back). Braces can be made much less noticeable by using ceramic brackets that are clear or tooth-colored; however, ceramic brackets are easier to break than metal. An even stealthier way to undergo orthodontic treatment is with clear aligners. These removable clear plastic “trays” are custom made with the help of computer software that divides the treatment process into two-week stages. After each two-week period, the tray is changed and the next stage of movement takes place until the teeth are in correct alignment. The Invisalign system has two modifications especially for teens: “eruption tabs” that hold space open for emerging molars, and “compliance indicators” that can tell parents and orthodontists if the teen is keeping the trays in for the prescribed amount of time. We’d be happy to discuss whether clear aligners would be an option for your child.

Keeping It Clean

No matter which type of appliance is used, oral hygiene becomes even more important during orthodontic treatment. Wearing braces presents special challenges in terms of keeping teeth clean; however, it’s extremely important to do an effective job every day so that gums do not become inflamed and cavities do not develop. It’s far easier to clean teeth with clear aligners, which can be removed, but the aligners themselves can build up bacteria, leading to the same types of oral health issues if they are not cleaned each day.

Making It Count

Another way in which orthodontic treatment will not vary regardless of the type of appliance chosen is the necessity of a retention phase. Everyone who has their teeth straightened (and this goes for adults and younger kids, too) must wear a retainer to hold the teeth in their new and improved alignment while new bone grows around them. Yes, braces are easier to wear than they used to be… but no one wants to wear them twice!

If you have questions about braces for your teen, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Clear Aligners for Teenagers” and “The Magic of Orthodontics.”

0 Comment(s) Permalink

Comments:






Subscribe to our RSS Feed

Archive:

  • 2019
      • February (2)
        • You may Need Orthodontic Treatment Before Obtaining Implants
        • Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
      • January (3)
        • Your Regular Dental Visits Might Change if You've had Gum Disease
        • 4 Things that can Cause Gum Recession and What to do About Them
        • 'Get Rid' of Those Unattractive Teeth with Porcelain Veneers
  • 2018
      • December (3)
        • Crazy Little Thing Called... Hyperdontia?
        • A Bonded Retainer Could be a Preferred Choice over a Removable One
        • Advanced Equipment and Safe Practices Ensure X-Ray Safety for Children
      • November (3)
        • Regardless of What You've Seen Online, Don't Fear a Root Canal Treatment
        • Janet Jackson: Even pop stars get insecure about their smiles!
        • 3 Factors That Could Affect the Success of a Root Canal Treatment
      • October (3)
        • Keep Alert for this Extreme Form of Gingivitis
        • Don't Stress Over Your Child's Teeth Grinding Habit Unless it Persists
        • Margot Robbie Knows: A Great Smile Is Worth Protecting
      • September (3)
        • Get Ahead of Bite Problems with Interceptive Orthodontics
        • Not all Dental Crowns Share the Same Quality of Life-Likeness
        • Stop Gum Disease Before it Gets Started with Daily Oral Hygiene
      • August (4)
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
        • 3 Tips to Making Mealtime Easier During TMD Flare-Ups
        • Oral Hygiene isn't Easy with Braces - but it's Still Doable
        • What Happens in a Root Canal Treatment and How it Can Save Your Tooth
      • July (3)
        • A Different Kind of "Chip Shot" for Pro Golfer Danielle Kang
        • Don't Fear the Root Canal - it Could Save Your Tooth
        • Saving a Diseased Primary Tooth Could Mean Better Oral Health Later in Life
      • June (3)
        • 3 Reasons for Blood Pressure Checks During Dental Visits
        • Dental Injury Is Just a Temporary Setback for Basketball Star Kevin Love
        • Keep an Eye on the Jaw Bone After a Teenager's Tooth Loss
      • May (3)
        • Stop Gum Disease Before it Becomes a Major Health Issue
        • Tooth Loss: A Health Risk for Older Adults
        • How Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Gets Her Kids to Floss
      • April (2)
        • Learn How To Protect Your Teeth During Stress Awareness Month
        • Why we Need to Care for a Younger Patient's Bone after a Tooth Loss
      • March (2)
        • Using Sinus Surgery to Stimulate Bone Growth for Implants
        • Jamie Foxx Chips a Tooth - This Time by Accident!
      • February (3)
        • February Focuses on Children's Dental Health
        • Easing the Pain and Discomfort of Canker Sores
        • Early Action Needed to Save Your Tooth from Root Resorption
      • January (2)
        • Julianne Hough Shares a Video - and a Song - After Wisdom Teeth Come Out
        • Your Health Could Affect the Longevity of a Dental Implant
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • If You've had Joint Replacement, you may Need Antibiotics Before Dental Work
        • What You can do to Ease that Burning Sensation in Your Mouth
      • November (2)
        • 2.6 Million Fans 'Like' Justin Bieber's Chipped Tooth
        • Tooth Decay can be Less of a Problem with Minimally Invasive Dentistry
      • October (2)
        • FAQs About Children's Dental Development
        • Why the Treatment Model for Your Jaw Joint Disorder Matters
      • September (2)
        • Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening
        • The Secret to Preventing Gum Disease - Control Bacterial Plaque
      • August (3)
        • Actress Emma Stone Reveals How Thumb Sucking Affected Her Teeth
        • The Timely Use of a Palatal Expander Could Help Correct a Cross-Bite
        • Jason Derulo's Ideal Match
      • July (2)
        • 3 Common Sources of Fluoride You Might Not Know About
        • (Don't) Break It Like Beckham
      • June (2)
        • Periodontal Surgery Allows us to Access Deep Surfaces for Plaque Removal
        • America's (Dentists) Got Talent - for Fixing Damaged or Missing Teeth!
      • May (2)
        • Dental Care is Difficult but not Impossible for a Special Needs Child
        • Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer
      • April (2)
        • Lasers Beginning to Change Some Root Canal Procedures
        • Any Time, Any Place: Cam Newton's Guide to Flossing
      • March (3)
        • Topical Fluoride Could Further Lower Tooth Decay Risk in Children
        • No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding
        • That Painful, Irritating Feeling Could be Burning Mouth Syndrome
      • February (1)
        • Expert Advice: Vivica A. Fox on Kissing and Oral health
      • January (3)
        • Seek Immediate Treatment for this Advanced Form of Gingivitis
        • Vivica's Veneers: the Making of a Hollywood Smile
        • A Partial Denture Can Restore a Smile Marred by a Few Missing Teeth
  • 2016
      • December (2)
        • A Toothless Tiger?
        • Having Trouble Flossing? Try Using an Oral Irrigator
      • November (2)
        • New Front Teeth for a Teenaged David Duchovny
        • Follow These Common Sense Steps When Your Child has a Toothache
      • October (3)
        • Giancarlo Stanton Gets Major-League Mouth Protection
        • Teenagers May Need a Temporary Tooth Replacement
        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
      • September (2)
        • Lasers are Making an Impact in Treating Gum Disease
        • Dr. Travis Stork: Don't Ignore Bleeding Gums
      • August (2)
        • Keep Watch for Bite Problems with your Child's Teeth
        • Dental Magic Transforms Smiles
      • July (3)
        • Antibiotic Resistance Requires Action - and a Change of Attitude
        • How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
        • Severe Face Pain can be Managed to Reduce Discomfort
      • June (2)
        • Dental Crowns for the King of Magic
        • Home Whitening Kits are Safe and Effective, if Used the Right Way
      • May (2)
        • Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth
        • There's a Good Reason for Adults to Consider Orthodontics - Better Oral Health
      • April (2)
        • Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match
        • Local Anesthesia Provides a More Pleasant and Thorough Dental Experience
      • March (2)
        • Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
        • Cosmetic Gum Surgery Can Help Restore Lost Tissues Around Teeth
      • February (2)
        • Noah Galloway's Dentally Dangerous Dancing
        • 3 Things to do to Prepare for Dental Emergencies While Traveling Abroad
      • January (2)
        • Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
        • Simple or Surgical? Choosing the Right Kind of Tooth Extraction
  • 2015
      • December (2)
        • A Royal Fix
        • Teeth Whitening: Know Your Options
      • November (2)
        • Spice Up Your Teeth
        • Advances in Porcelain Veneers Improve Both Strength and Appearance
      • October (2)
        • Chrissy Teigen's Teeth-Grinding Troubles
        • Dental Implants Help Maintain Bone Health
      • September (2)
        • Sofia Vergara: 'Obsessed' With Oral Hygiene
        • Gingivitis Could Become a More Serious Form of Gum Disease
      • August (2)
        • Lamar Odom Rebounds From Dental Anxiety
        • Orthodontic Headgear: What It Is and Why It May be Needed
      • July (2)
        • Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
        • Orthodontics and Your Teen
      • June (2)
        • Tom Hanks' Abscessed Tooth Gets Cast Away
        • Anchorage Devices Enable Greater Precision During Orthodontic Treatment
      • May (2)
        • Neil Patrick Harris: What the Oscars Host Treasures Most
        • Welcome to Our Blog

Tags

  • celebrity smiles (42)
  • wisdom teeth (2)
  • TADs (1)
  • abscessed tooth (1)
  • orthodontic treatment (9)
  • braces (6)
  • bad breath (1)
  • orthodontics (4)
  • headgear (1)
  • dental anxiety (1)
  • gum disease (8)
  • oral hygiene (10)
  • dental implants (8)
  • teeth wear (1)
  • porcelain veneers (3)
  • cosmetic dentistry (4)
  • teeth whitening (3)
  • bonding (1)
  • tooth extraction (1)
  • pediatric care (1)
  • dental emergency (2)
  • dental injury (5)
  • cosmetic gum surgery (1)
  • anesthesia (1)
  • crowns (4)
  • trigeminal neuralgia (1)
  • facial pain (1)
  • retainers (1)
  • antibiotics (2)
  • pediatric dentistry (7)
  • laser dentistry (2)
  • tooth replacement (1)
  • athletic mouthguards (1)
  • toothache (1)
  • flossing (1)
  • partial denture (1)
  • veneers (1)
  • periodontal disease (1)
  • oral health (5)
  • burning mouth syndrome (2)
  • tooth grinding (1)
  • fluoride (2)
  • root canal treatment (5)
  • chipped teeth (1)
  • periodontal surgery (1)
  • palatal expander (1)
  • thumb sucking (1)
  • plaque (1)
  • tmj disorders (2)
  • tooth decay (1)
  • chipped tooth (2)
  • canker sore (1)
  • mouthguards (1)
  • sinus surgery (1)
  • tooth loss (2)
  • bruxism (1)
  • night guard (1)
  • dental exam (1)
  • root canal (2)
  • retainer (1)
  • teeth grinding (1)
  • tooth wear (1)
  • smile makeover (1)
  • x-rays (1)
  • bonded retainer (1)
  • extraction (1)
  • gum recession (1)

Categories:

  • None (1)
  • Dental Procedures (55)
  • Oral Health (50)

                                                                               ​

Our Location

2034 S Almont Ave
Imlay City, MI 48444
(810) 724-3707

Map & directions

Office Hours
Monday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday:7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday:12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Saturday:9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday:Closed
  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Patient Education
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Dentist Website Design Copyright © MH Sub I, LLC dba Officite
  • Disclaimer
  • Statement of Accessibility
  • Patient Privacy
  • Site Map