Orthodontics for Teens | Braces Wentzville

Invest in Your Teen

The teen years (between the ages of 12 and 16) are the most common time for orthodontic treatment because most permanent teeth are in place.

Luckily, some new solutions work to make the treatment process much easier than ever before.

All About Teen Orthodontics

This is a great age range for experienced orthodontists like Dr. Humphrey to easily recognize spacing issues, crowding, and bite and alignment problems. Your teen’s bone and jaw structure are formed enough to allow orthodontic treatment to begin.

Some teens may have even started Phase I treatment at an earlier age and are now following it up with full braces or other orthodontic treatment.

Choose Your Look

While creating a customized treatment plan for your teen, we might recommend an orthodontic appliance.

Here at Humphrey Orthodontics, we offer:

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Metal Braces

Braces have come a very long way, even within the past decade. When many people think of braces, they think of extremely bulky metal brackets.

The good news is that we don't use this type of bulky orthodontic appliance. Many of the new braces we offer at Humphrey Orthodontics are lighter and more comfortable than ever before.

Gold Braces

These gold-color brackets are tough as metal braces and as subtle as ceramic braces.

The discreet color blends in beautifully with your smile.

Ceramic Braces

Also known as clear braces, these work the same way metal braces do but feature brackets made of tooth-colored ceramic materials.

They blend in with your teen’s smile, so they’re much less obvious. Since ceramic braces may break slightly easier, and are a little more expensive than metal braces, they may not be best for everyone.

Invisalign®

The Invisalign system is made up of a series of fully customized, clear trays called aligners. These aligners are nearly invisible and totally removable.

Made of soft plastic, the aligners provide a more comfortable orthodontic experience, with no friction or abrasions inside your teen’s mouth.

Each week your teen will switch their aligner for the next in the set. When your teen wears the aligners for the recommended 20-22 hours per day, their teeth will gradually move into the desired positions.

Invisalign works best for mild to moderate orthodontic issues, and may not be an option if your teen needs more severe correction.

Benefits of a Straight Smile

Straight teeth that respond well to orthodontic treatment have many benefits, including:

Less prone to wear and tear, chipping, and tooth trauma
Easier to keep clean, helping to prevent tooth decay and cavities
Improving proper chewing and digestion of food
Reducing the chances of developing gum disease, which can result in bone loss, decay, and tooth loss

Bad Bites

Diagnosing and successfully treating certain bite problems can have short-term and long-term benefits.

Problems classified as “bad bites” can often be minimized with the proper orthodontic treatment, including:

Missing or extra teeth
Crooked or crowded teeth
Incorrect jaw position
An overbite or underbite
A disorder of the jaw joint

FAQs About Teen Orthodontics

How long does treatment take?

This question doesn’t have a concrete answer, unfortunately. Every case is different, but the average length of the active stage of orthodontic treatment is anywhere from 6-36 months.

After this phase of treatment is complete, your teen will need to wear a retainer for as long as Dr. Humphrey feels necessary based on their individual case. In many cases, Dr. Humphrey will recommend wearing a retainer at night indefinitely.

We work as a team with both parents and teen to create a smile that will last a lifetime.

Can teens still play sports?

Absolutely! If your teen athlete is wearing traditional braces, it’s crucial to protect their smile to stay on track with their treatment.

We strongly recommend using an orthodontic mouthguard to protect their braces, and their mouth, from any potential injury.

Your teen can play any contact sport if they use the proper orthodontic mouthguard.

If your teen has Invisalign, they can take their aligner out before practice or a game and put it back in afterward. We still recommend that Invisalign patients wear a protective mouthguard.

Does orthodontics interfere with playing an instrument in the band?

Make an Investment in Your Teen’s Smile Today

Orthodontic treatment is an investment in your child’s future. By scheduling a free consultation, Dr. Humphrey will be happy to discuss the benefits of treatment with both of you, as well as any of the risks with putting off or skipping treatment.

Although adults can successfully complete orthodontic treatment, a teen’s jaws and teeth can respond quicker to orthodontic treatment, shortening their total treatment time.