ProviderOrthodontic Treatment with Character & Style
Among our teenage patients, braces tend to be a touchy subject. After all, turning up at school with braces on for the first time can feel daunting.
While many teenagers are excited about creating a straighter smile, and some even love the quirky element braces can add to their personal style, others are less enthusiastic. They worry about how braces will change the look of their smile during treatment, and what their friends might say.
For these more self-conscious kids, Orthodontic Specialists of Lake Oswego is proud to offer lower-profile, more streamlined braces options like translucent braces.
And for teens who are ready to fully embrace the look of braces, traditional metal braces with colored elastics can be a great choice!
Whatever your teen's feelings about braces are, we're here to help get them through it with sound advice, moral support, and a smile.
Orthodontic Treatment During the Teen Years
Orthodontic treatment between the ages of 12 and 18 is designed to guide healthy tooth and jaw development and fine-tune the appearance of the smile. Braces may be part of your teen's treatment at Orthodontic Specialists of Lake Oswego.
Learn More About Orthodontics for TeensThe Benefits of Braces for Teenagers
With the availability of Invisalign clear aligner treatment, you may be wondering why braces are still often recommended for teenagers. Here are a few reasons why braces can be a great orthodontic treatment for many teens.
Versatility
When it comes to complex orthodontic cases, braces have the potential to apply more force to move teeth more quickly than clear aligners can. This means if your teen has a more complex misalignment and wants to get through treatment as quickly as possible, braces may be the way to go.
Compliance to Treatment
Today's teens are super busy people. They get distracted, and sometimes they can be a bit irresponsible (weren't we all at that age?). For some, this makes it difficult to stay compliant with removable aligner treatment.
Braces are firmly fixed to the teeth, so they can't get lost. And their durability makes them difficult to damage – both advantages for teenagers with a lot going on!
Aesthetics
Ok, let's be honest. Traditional metal braces and even translucent braces don't have the discreet, barely-there appearance that Invisalign aligners have. But, they can be a fun part of your teenager's personal style.
Colored elastics can be added and changed out at each adjustment appointment, meaning your child can choose fun colors based on their personal aesthetic, holidays, or even their school sports team!
Braces at Orthodontic Specialists of Lake Oswego
Orthodontic braces straighten teeth using a combination of brackets, elastic bands, and wires.
But the braces of today aren't the clunky, uncomfortable face-full-of-metal that you might be picturing from decades ago.
Modern braces are lower-profile and more comfortable than ever before.