TEEN BRACES 101: A LOOK AT THE DIFFERENT TYPES
This article originally appeared on outsidetheboxmom.com
Having braces as a teen can be scary and stressful. Many teenage patients fear getting braces because they believe only adults can get them. But that is not true!
You don’t have to wait until you are an adult to straighten your teeth. Many teens start treatment at a younger age for various reasons.
If you’re thinking about getting braces when you’re younger than usual, this article will help you understand the different types of braces for teens so you can make a well-guided choice.
1. INVISALIGN
Invisalign is a type of clear, removable orthodontic appliance used to correct misaligned teeth. The aligners are designed to be almost invisible, so you can have straight teeth without anyone even knowing that you are wearing orthodontic equipment.
Invisalign is removable, so unlike traditional braces, you can eat anything you want. These orthodontic appliances are also much less noticeable than braces, so they can be a good option if you are self-conscious about wearing braces.
While Invisalign is not as effective as traditional braces, it is a good choice if you have minor tooth misalignment or have a combination of tooth misalignment and crowding.
2. REMOVABLE BRACES
Removable or self-ligating braces are an excellent option for teens who want to be able to eat whatever they want and who want to avoid the hassle of keeping their teeth and gums clean.
Removable braces are also called “self-ligating” because they use a wire to attach a bracket to the wire itself. This makes it much easier to clean and maintain the braces than traditional braces, where you have to remove the entire bracket and wire from your teeth every time.
The major downside of removable braces is that they are not as effective compared to traditional braces. They are generally only recommended for patients with minor tooth misalignment.
3. LINGUAL BRACES
Lingual braces are placed on the back of your teeth, or the lingual side, and are used to correct misalignment of the back teeth or molars. They are not as visible as other types of braces, and they are usually recommended for people who are self-conscious about the appearance of their teeth.
Lingual braces are generally more expensive than other options, and they have slightly higher rates of complications and breakage compared to different kinds of braces. However, lingual braces are a good option if your molars are very misaligned and you want to avoid having to pull one or more of your molars.
4. ORTHODONTIC BRACES
Orthodontic braces are the most traditional type of braces for teens and are also known as “metal braces.” They are more expensive than other types of braces because they require more labor, materials, and time to construct than different types of braces.
Orthodontic braces are used for treating severe cases of malocclusion such as severe crowding, extreme overbite or overbite, or underbite.
Since orthodontic braces require more time in treatment and are more visible, they are generally not recommended for patients with minor tooth misalignment or very mild crowding.
IN CONCLUSION
Braces are a very common orthodontic treatment, and they can help you achieve a beautiful smile and the confidence that comes with it. As you should have learned by now, there are many different types of braces for teens available which can make selection a tad complex.
Note that the best type for you will depend on factors like how severe your tooth misalignment is, your age, and other factors.