teen orthdontics

Are Teen Orthodontics Essential? | Creve Coeur MO

For most teenagers, it is common to need braces or Invisalign treatment to properly align your smile. Though it may seem unnecessary at the moment, straightening your teeth has a vital positive impact on your oral health. This is why teen orthodontics is an essential part of any teenager’s routine dental care.

Is Orthodontic Treatment Right For Your Teen?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends having your child screened by an orthodontist by age 7. If it is determined that the teeth are developing normally then the orthodontist may wait until your child is between 11 to 13 years old. Typically by the age by the age of 11 to 13, most children have lost all their baby teeth, and most of the permanent teeth have erupted. This is the ideal time for correcting most problems that cause poor alignment, a bad bite, or improper tooth spacing because the body is still developing rapidly. If you wait too long until the bones of the jaw and face have fully developed, many conditions become increasingly difficult and expensive to treat.

Common Teen Orthodontics Options

Teens can receive orthodontic treatment depending on their individual bite (occlusion) and dentition (number, type, and arrangement of their teeth). Dental braces are the most common orthodontic device and can be used to rectify a wide range of dental problems, including:

  • Crowding, missing or extra teeth, gaps, protruding upper teeth, and jaw growth abnormalities
  • Malocclusions (misaligned bites), which can be caused by gum disease, trauma, early or delayed loss of baby teeth, thumb-sucking, or poor nutrition

Your orthodontist will offer different types of braces, including clear braces, clear aligners for teens, growth appliances as well as many different orthodontic appliances that fit inside the mouth or function as external headgear to treat different problems.

If you think your teen would benefit from orthodontic treatment, please contact your top-rated orthodontist in Creve Coeur, MO to schedule your consultation.