Dr. Bradley S. Hall is an Weatherford & Granbury TX orthodontist who provides excellent orthodontic care to patients of all ages! The entire team at Epic Orthodontics enjoys watching our patients obtain the healthy and straight smiles they deserve and we truly love what we do!
Adolescence Is The Optimal Time for Orthodontic Treatment
It's very common to see teenagers wearing braces on their teeth. Adolescents go through many changes at this stage of their lives which includes growing in stature, developing their individual preferences regarding music & fashion and having an increased sense of self-awareness. During the adolescent years, there are also changes taking place with the development of the teeth and jaws as adults teeth come in and the jaw develops. Typically, by the age of 11 to 13, the primary teeth have all been lost and most of the permanent teeth have come in. This is when Dr. Hall can correct problems caused by a bad bite (malocclusion). improper spacing or poor alignment.
Orthodontic problems do not improve with age. In fact, most orthodontic problems are more difficult to treat in adult patients and get worse with age. It is far easier (and often less costly) to treat many orthodontic problems during adolescence than it is in adulthood because the body is rapidly growing during the teenage years. Whether we use Damon Braces or appliances like a Quad Helix, we can create an improved function and appearance in a short period of time.
There is a social element associated with undergoing orthodontic treatment in adolescence as it's very common for youngsters to wear orthodontic appliances. In fact, most of our adolescent patients have friends and classmates also in treatment so they don't feel alone or awkward just because they have appliances on their teeth.
Adolescent Treatment: What to Expect
During your first visit with us, Dr. Hall will provide you with a thorough examination. We will also take photos and Xrays of your mouth which are used to make a model of your bite. If we determine that you could benefit from treatment, we will develop a treatment plan that's individualized just for you. Your treatment plan may include wearing conventional braces with or without elastics, clear braces, Invisalign, or a specialized orthodontic appliance you will wear for a set period of time. Below are some of the orthodontic appliances most commonly worn by adolescents.
Metal Braces - The metal braces we use are made of high grade stainless steel and are smaller, more comfortable and more attractive than the metal braces used in the past. Patients wearing these braces can put their personal touch on their appliances by choosing the colors of the elastic ties on the brackets.
Clear Braces – Clear braces are similar to metal braces except the brackets are made of a clear ceramic material that does not stain for more discreet treatment. Many patients now are choosing to put colors on their clear braces. This is an awesome new option that really makes the colors “pop” without much metal in the mouth! These braces can be worn by most patients and there is no extra cost involved!
Transparent Aligners - Some of our adolescent patients can choose to wear clear, removable aligners which are designed specifically for teenagers. These aligners come with special features designed for teens including tiny compliance indicators to show how often the aligners are being worn. Teens wearing transparent removable aligners love how discreet these appliances are and enjoy being able to eat what they want as the aligners are designed to be removed when eating. It is also very easy to maintain good oral hygiene when being treated with clear aligners as you simply take the aligners out when brushing & flossing and then just pop them back in when done.
The Duration of Treatment
There is no one standard answer concerning how long you will be in treatment as every patient is unique with his or her own orthodontic needs. Generally speaking, the active stage of treatment can last for anywhere from 6 to 30 months. Once you are finished wearing your braces or clear aligners, you will be given a retainer which must be worn according to the directions we provide you with. Your retainer is designed to hold your teeth in their new position so you can enjoy your straight and healthy smile for the rest of your life!
Contact Your Orthodontist in Granbury and Weatherford
If you have any questions or concerns about adolescent treatment, please don't hesitate to contact us as we're always available to speak with you! If you'd like to schedule an appointment with us, please complete the Appointment Request form and one of our friendly team members will contact you to set up a time that's convenient for you. We look forward to seeing you soon and welcoming you to our practice!