What Are Orthodontic Treatment Options for Modern Teenagers
Today’s teenagers have access to a variety of orthodontic treatment options designed to meet different lifestyle needs and aesthetic preferences. Clear aligners have become increasingly popular among teens who want to straighten their teeth discreetly while maintaining their normal appearance during treatment. These removable trays allow teens to eat their favorite foods, participate in sports, and attend special events.
Most patients wear clear aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day, only removing them for meals and oral hygiene routines. This consistency is crucial for achieving optimal results within the projected timeframe. For teens who choose aligners, developing responsible habits around wearing and caring for their trays becomes an important part of the treatment process.
Managing Orthodontic Treatment During High School
Successfully navigating orthodontic treatment during the busy high school years requires planning and communication between teens, parents, and the orthodontic team. School schedules, extracurricular activities, and social events all need consideration when planning treatment approaches and appointment scheduling. Fortunately, most orthodontic visits can be scheduled during lunch periods or after school to minimize disruption to academic activities.
Sports participation often concerns teens and parents when considering orthodontic treatment. While contact sports require protective mouthguards, teens with Invisalign can continue participating in virtually all athletic activities with proper precautions. Clear aligner patients have the advantage of removing their trays during games and practices, then reinserting them immediately afterward.
Academic performance sometimes improves during orthodontic treatment as teens gain confidence in their appearance and become more willing to participate in class discussions and presentations. The discipline required to maintain orthodontic appliances and follow treatment instructions often carries over into other areas of teenage life, promoting responsibility and self-care habits that benefit overall development.
The social aspects of orthodontic treatment have evolved significantly as these treatments have become more common among teenagers. Many teens find that having aligners creates connections with classmates undergoing similar treatments, and the shared experience often reduces any initial self-consciousness about orthodontic appliances.
Essential care tips help teens maintain excellent oral health throughout treatment:
- Brush thoroughly after every meal and snack
- Use fluoride rinse to prevent white spots around brackets
- Avoid hard, sticky, or sugary foods that can damage appliances
- Attend all scheduled appointments for optimal progress monitoring
- Communicate any concerns or discomfort promptly to the orthodontic team
Following these guidelines consistently helps ensure treatment progresses smoothly and results meet expectations within the projected timeframe. Teens who take active responsibility for their orthodontic care often achieve better results and complete treatment more quickly than those who require constant reminders about proper care routines.
Building Confidence Through Teen Orthodontic Treatment
Teen orthodontic treatment represents an investment in your teenager’s long-term oral health, self-confidence, and overall well-being that pays dividends throughout their adult life. The teenage years offer unique advantages for orthodontic correction, and modern treatment options make it possible to achieve excellent results while accommodating the social and lifestyle needs that matter most to today’s teens. When teens complete orthodontic treatment during high school, they often enter college and begin their adult lives with the confidence that comes from having a healthy, attractive smile.
Dr. Delone Jouja and Dr. Martha Silva bring extensive experience in teen orthodontics and airway orthodontics to help teenagers achieve optimal results while maintaining their confidence throughout treatment. Our Floss Lincoln Park team understands that each teen’s needs and preferences are unique, and we work closely with families to develop treatment plans that fit busy schedules while delivering the beautiful, functional results that last a lifetime.
Contact us today at 773-697-8119 or schedule your consultation to discover how teen orthodontic treatment can give your teenager the healthy, confident smile they deserve during these important formative years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Invisalign Teen differ from regular Invisalign?
Invisalign Teen includes special features designed for teenage patients: compliance indicators (blue dots that fade to clear) to show parents and doctors how much the aligners are being worn, additional aligners included at no extra cost to replace lost or broken aligners, and eruption tabs to accommodate teeth that are still coming in. Treatment planning also considers the unique needs of teenage patients, including continued jaw growth and the social aspects of being a teenager.
Will braces or aligners affect my teen's sports activities?
Orthodontic treatment doesn’t prevent participation in sports, but we recommend wearing a mouthguard during contact sports to protect teeth and braces. Special orthodontic mouthguards are available that accommodate braces and provide better protection than standard mouthguards. Invisalign aligners should be removed during sports activities and replaced immediately afterward. We provide cases for safe storage of aligners during sports and activities.
What foods should teens avoid during orthodontic treatment?
With braces, avoid hard foods (nuts, ice, hard candy), sticky foods (caramel, gum, taffy), crunchy foods (chips, popcorn), and foods that require biting into them (whole apples, corn on the cob). These can break brackets or get stuck in braces. Cut foods into smaller pieces when possible. With Invisalign, aligners can be removed for eating, so there are no food restrictions, but aligners must be brushed and replaced after eating.
How much does teen orthodontic treatment cost?
Orthodontic treatment costs for teenagers vary based on the type of treatment chosen and the complexity of each individual case. Dr. Silva, who provides our orthodontic services, will evaluate your teen’s specific needs and discuss treatment options during the consultation. We work with numerous dental insurance plans and our experienced front desk team can help you understand your coverage, as many plans provide orthodontic benefits for dependents. We also offer Care Credit financing and flexible payment options to make treatment more accessible. No insurance? No problem – our in-house payment plans can help fit treatment into your family’s budget.
What should I expect during my teen's initial consultation?
Your teen’s initial consultation includes a comprehensive examination of teeth, gums, and jaw alignment, digital x-rays and photographs if needed, discussion of treatment goals and concerns, review of treatment options and timeline, cost presentation and payment plan options, and opportunity to ask questions about treatment. The consultation typically takes 45-60 minutes and there’s no obligation to begin treatment. We want you and your teen to feel comfortable and informed about all options.
