The teenage years are the most common time to start orthodontic treatment. In fact, for decades, metal braces were almost seen as a rite of passage for teenagers. Though metal braces are still around today and are a great choice for many patients, even those are smaller and more streamlined. For patients who don’t want metal braces, there are teen braces options to suit any smile and lifestyle.
Kelowna Braces Suitable For Teens Lifestyle
At Straight Smiles in Kelowna, Dr. James Scramstad, a general dentist practicing orthodontics only, and our team offer a variety of braces for teens. To give you a better idea of what treatment will entail and what the options are, in this post, we’ll cover:
- Why do so many teenagers have braces?
- What types of bite problems does Dr. Scramstad look for in teenagers?
- What are the different types of teen braces?
- How much do braces cost for teens?
Why Do So Many Teenagers Have Braces?
Dr. Scramstad treats patients of all ages, including children and adults. While the number of adult orthodontics patients has dramatically risen, the majority of patients are still teenagers. The reason for this is because, for many patients, the teenage years are the ideal time to start braces or Invisalign® Teen treatment.
Why? Well, around the age of 12 or 13, most kids have all of their permanent teeth (aside from the wisdom teeth). At this point, Dr. Scramstad is able to evaluate their bite, which is how the upper and lower teeth come together, and diagnose issues ranging from spacing to overjet teeth.
Plus, teenagers have higher metabolisms than adults and they’re still growing. If a teenager does need orthodontic treatment, Dr. Scramstad can take advantage of their growth spurts to align the teeth and bite more efficiently. In certain cases, we can achieve dramatic results that wouldn’t be possible without extensive treatment or even corrective jaw surgery in adulthood.
What Bite Problems Does Dr. Scramstad Look for In Teenagers?
Dr. Scramstad diagnoses and treats malocclusion, or issues with the size, positioning or alignment of the teeth and jaws. Some common orthodontic problems he looks for in teenagers, include:
Crowded Teeth
There isn’t enough room in the jaw to accomodate all of the teeth causing teeth to twist, overlap or shift out of line
Spacing
There is too much space in the jaw leaving gaps between the teeth
Overjet Teeth
The top front teeth point, or flare out, over the front bottom teeth
Excessive Overbite (Deep Bite)
The degree of overlap between the upper and lower teeth is too large
Crossbite
Some of the bottom teeth sit in front of some of the top teeth when the mouth is closed
Open Bite
The top and bottom teeth don’t meet when the jaws are closed
Underbite
The lower teeth are in front of the upper teeth
What are the Different Types of Teen Braces?
At Straight Smiles, we offer the following types of braces for teens:
Metal Braces
Metal braces are the most common type of dental braces. As we said above, today’s metal braces are smaller and more attractive than they used to be. The metal braces we use at our practice are made with medical-grade, biocompatible stainless steel.
The appliance consists of brackets, which are bonded to the teeth, and thin, lightweight archwires. These are a popular choice for our younger teen and tween braces patients, because they can customize their braces by choosing the colour of their elastics at every appointment. Whether teens want their braces colours to match the colours of their favorite sports’ team or to show off their school colours, it gives them the opportunity to showcase their personality.
Clear Braces
Our Kelowna clear braces rely on the same system of brackets and wires as metal braces but are made from a durable, stain-resistant, translucent ceramic material, making them blend in with your teenager’s smile. When paired with ultra-thin archwires, clear ceramic braces are much less noticeable than metal braces.
If you’re not sure your child could keep track of aligners, clear ceramic braces could be a better option since they’re bonded to teeth, while still offering esthetic benefits.
Invisalign Teen
Can you straighten teeth without braces? Absolutely. Invisalign Teen is another excellent choice for your teenager’s orthodontic treatment. The treatment works like adult Invisalign, but the aligners were created especially for teenagers and include features like eruption tabs to accommodate erupting teeth, as well as free replacement aligners included in the system.
Dr. Scramstad, an Invisalign dentist, designs a series of custom, removable, clear aligners for your child. As they make their way through the series, their smile takes shape bit by bit.
There are no brackets and wires to get in the way, the aligners are virtually invisible and they’re extremely comfortable. While being removable makes oral hygiene easier, it does mean your kiddo will have to keep track of their Invisalign Teen aligners throughout their treatment.
How Much Do Braces Cost for Teens?
The cost of your teenager’s braces or Invisalign Teen treatment will depend on a number of factors, with the biggest one being how complex their case is. The only way to determine an exact Invisalign or braces cost is to bring your teen in for a consultation. Once Dr. Scramstad examines your child, completes diagnostic records, and develops a diagnosis and treatment plan, we’ll be able to give you an accurate figure.
In our efforts to make Invisalign and braces for teens affordable, we accept assignment/insurance if your plan offers coverage. This can reduce your out-of-pocket braces cost. Additionally, we accept a variety of forms of payment and offer in-office, interest-free financing with low down payments and monthly payments.
Ready to put your teenager on the path to a healthy, beautiful smile and a strong, stable bite? Schedule a consultation at Straight Smiles in Kelowna, BC today! Dr. Scramstad has 25 years of experience providing orthodontic treatment. He’ll tap into his expertise to create a customized treatment plan and let you know which type of teen braces will give your child the best results.
