Most patients begin orthodontic treatment between age 9 and 16, but this varies depending on each individual. Because teenagers are still growing, the teen years are often the optimal time to correct orthodontic problems and achieve excellent results. Most orthodontic problems are inherited. Examples of these genetic problems are crowding, too much space between teeth, protruding upper teeth, extra or missing teeth and some jaw growth problems.

Other malocclusions (crooked teeth) are acquired. In other words, they develop over time. They can be caused by thumb-sucking or finger- sucking as a child, mouth breathing, dental disease, abnormal swallowing, poor dental hygiene, the early or late loss of baby (primary) teeth, accidents, poor nutrition or some medical problems.

Sometimes an inherited malocclusion is complicated by an acquired problem. But whatever the cause, the orthodontist is usually able to treat most conditions successfully.

Treatment is important because crooked or crowded teeth are hard to clean, and that may contribute to tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss. A bad bite can also cause abnormal wear of tooth surface, difficulty in chewing and/or speaking, excess stress on supporting bone and gum tissue, and possible jaw joint problems. Without treating, problems may become worse.

Orthodontic treatment to correct a problem may prove less costly than the additional dental care required to treat the problems that can develop in later years. Then there’s the emotional side of an unattractive smile. When you are not confident in the way you look, your self-esteem suffers. Teenagers whose malocclusions are left untreated may go through life feeling self-conscious, hiding their smiles with tight lips or a protective hand.

•   Invisalign Teen

  • Invisalign Teen

    Invisalign Teen is the only clear orthodontic aligner therapy designed to address the unique concerns of treating non-adult comprehensive patients. Because aligners are removable, patients can continue to eat their favorite foods and brush and floss normally to help keep teeth and gums healthy.

    Invisalign Teen has all the features of Invisalign Full, plus:

    Compliance indicators track the patient’s approximate wear time and help provide reassurance for parents that the teen is being compliant.

    Six free individual replacement aligners are included with Invisalign Teen to replace lost or broken aligners. This selling point gives parents one less thing to worry about during treatment.

    Many teens present for treatment with erupting permanent dentition, so Invisalign Teen has been engineered with a feature to help prevent supra eruption of the second molars.

•   Appliances

  • Conventional metal braces

    The different types of dental braces include the traditional braces made of high grade stainless steel. These braces are the most widely used and cheapest variety of dental braces. However these steel metal braces are capable of staining the surface of the teeth and thus the reason why some people stay away from them. New versions of these dental braces are made in combination with nickel titanium along with stainless steel. These conventional dental braces contain a small bracket that is bonded to each tooth. These brackets can even be decorated with different ligatures that come in many types of color.

    Self-ligating braces, Speed braces or Damon System

    The Damon System is not just about revolutionary braces and wire, it's a whole new way of treating patients. Traditional treatment often requires removal of healthy teeth and/or the use of palatal expanders to make space. This approach is often uncomfortable, takes longer, and can leave a narrower arch and a flat profile. Damon smiles are full, natural 10-tooth smiles achieved with light biologically-sensible forces, and are specifically designed to improve the overall facial result of each patient.

    Clear braces

    The different types of dental braces also include the ceramic braces and these are more popular among teenagers. They are translucent and clear and therefore a less visible alternative to the traditional ones. These braces emerge with the natural color of the teeth and somehow have formed a niche for themselves, as being very visually appealing. However, ceramic brackets are also more brittle and prone to breakage. In order to deal with this drawback, the manufacturers of these brackets make them thicker to resist the expected breakage.