Many parents wonder whether or not their teenager needs orthodontics. It’s an additional cost and time-commitment – so what are the long term benefits?
Only a trained orthodontist can tell you if your teenager would benefit from going through orthodontic therapy with Invisalign or braces. A specialist can see what problems may arise in the future from the positioning of your teenager’s teeth. Sometimes the teeth may look straight, but there can be other issues such as a traumatic bite. Other times the teeth may look out of place, but it can be a quicker fix than you may think.
Depending on the diagnosis of your orthodontist, if your teenager could benefit from orthodontic treatment it’s easier to do when they’re young versus later in life. Whether or not your teenager needs orthodontics for their long term dental health, it’s important to visit an orthodontist for a correct diagnosis and recommendation.
Issues with Misaligned Teeth
Many issues can arise from having misaligned teeth – and they tend to compound and get worse as we get older. One of the best long term preventative strategies to keep your teeth for life is to get them in a healthy position through orthodontics.
Here are some of the most common problems with misaligned teeth:
- Crowded teeth can contribute to periodontal disease and gum infection. If this progresses, patients can lose their teeth.
- A bad bite can cause daily trauma as you chew your food. This can cause your teeth to wear down and crack over time leading to more dental work.
- Other issues can be related to misaligned teeth including temporomandibular joint pain (TMD), and sleep apnea / airway problems.
While teenagers with misaligned teeth may not be experiencing these complications now, they can easily progress if the teeth are left in an unhealthy position. Everyone’s teeth move at a different rate, and teeth will get into a worse position over time versus a better one.
Orthodontics is Easier as a Teenager
2 factors make going through orthodontics easier as a teenager: lifestyle and biology.
A majority of teenagers in North America undergo orthodontic treatment with Invisalign or braces. It’s easier to go through this process when many of your teenager’s friends and peers are also going through it. Most teenagers start the process in their early teen years, and this is often the most comfortable time to go through orthodontics when everyone else is too.
There’s also a biological benefit to going through orthodontics as a teenager. Simply put, their teeth move more easily than adult teeth because the bone is softer and less rigid. Orthodontic treatment tends to be faster and less painful than waiting until later in life.
Teenage years are an optimal time to go through orthodontics!
See an Orthodontist to Diagnose
It’s important to see an orthodontist to properly diagnose your teenager and determine whether they need orthodontic treatment. The American Association of Orthodontics recommends children 1st visit and orthodontist at age 7 to see if early intervention is needed. Many patients don’t need to start treatment this early unless they have issues that can be corrected during their growth phases that will avoid surgery and complications later on.
Not to worry if you didn’t get your child in early, but it’s definitely critical to bring them in as an early teenager for a proper orthodontic diagnosis and treatment recommendation. You can help your teenager avoid dental complications later in life by getting their teeth in a health position early. And it’s a perfect time in life to go through orthodontic treatment with Invisalign or braces.
Summer is an especially popular time to start orthodontic treatment between the school years! Give us a call today to schedule your complimentary consultation to learn more about orthodontics for your teenager. We’ve just completed construction of our new, beautiful office designed around your comfort – and we look forward to seeing you there!
