
Braces can change a person's life — not just their appearance but their dental health as well. To be honest, though, wearing braces are, well, kind of a drag — especially for teenagers.
Braces can be restrictive and confining; you'll also have to give up certain favorite foods for a while. But more than any of that, they're just plain unattractive. Even being able to choose colors for the brackets and elastic bands can't fully ease a teenager's embarrassment when they smile.
There is, however, an alternative to braces: clear aligners. And they could make orthodontic treatment during this difficult phase of their life much easier to handle.
Clear aligners are a set of clear plastic trays that can be taken in and out of the mouth. Each of the custom-designed trays is slightly smaller than the previous one in the series. After wearing the first tray for a couple of weeks (at least 20 to 22 hours a day), the patient switches to the next tray in the series. They repeat this process until they've worn all the trays. The gradual change from tray to tray moves the teeth to the desired position.
Clear aligners have some distinct advantages over braces, especially for younger patients. They can be removed for cleaning or for a rare special event. They don't limit movement as much as braces. And, they're nearly invisible — other people may not even notice them. And newer aligners are now designed with tiny “power ridges” that increase their movement capabilities. This has made them more useful for teenagers with complicated bite problems and other issues.
There are cases, though, where braces may be the better choice: where you need more control over tooth movement or the patient needs jaw surgery to achieve proper tooth alignment. And their removability could be an issue if the patient won't leave them in their mouth for the necessary time each day.
To find out if clear aligners might be a viable option for your teenager, visit us for a complete orthodontic examination. We can then discuss your best option — clear aligners or braces — to achieve the most desirable outcome for your teenager.
If you would like more information on treating bite problems in teenagers with clear aligners, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Clear Aligners for teens.”
Comments:
Michael J Morris, DDS
Spring, TX 77379

Patient Education
Archive:
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
- 2012
Tags
- pregnancy (2)
- oral health (38)
- celebrity smiles (94)
- oral hygiene (31)
- bad breath (2)
- common symptoms (2)
- teeth whitening (10)
- smile makeover (11)
- veneers (12)
- cosmetic dentistry (38)
- pediatric care (2)
- root canal (6)
- tooth decay (12)
- sports dentistry (1)
- dental emergencies (1)
- dental injuries (4)
- pediatric dentistry (20)
- fluoride (5)
- periodontal (gum) disease (1)
- diabetes (2)
- floss (1)
- dental implants (18)
- dentures (4)
- crown (3)
- orthodontic treatment (6)
- braces (9)
- porcelain veneers (4)
- oral cancer (3)
- missing tooth (1)
- replacing teeth (1)
- dental implant (5)
- tooth colored fillings (1)
- dental fillings (1)
- clear aligners (4)
- orthodontics (8)
- dental injury (9)
- bridge (1)
- Invisalign (10)
- Spring (1)
- missing teeth (3)
- bonding (2)
- chipped teeth (2)
- clear orthodontic aligners (1)
- periodontal disease (4)
- gum disease (13)
- mouthguard (2)
- Dental Bridge (3)
- Gap (1)
- sealants (2)
- Family Dentistry (1)
- Family Dentist (2)
- Dental Office (1)
- geographic tongue (1)
- tooth loss (1)
- Dentist (1)
- smoking (2)
- wisdom teeth (6)
- impacted wisdom teeth (1)
- tmj (1)
- tmd (1)
- Dental Checkups (1)
- sedation dentistry (1)
- Extractions (2)
- Sensitive Teeth (2)
- canker sore (2)
- Healthy Food (1)
- crowns (3)
- Dental Crowns (5)
- tooth pain (4)
- restorative dentistry (4)
- dental bonding (1)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- retainers (1)
- teeth wear (1)
- mouth rash (1)
- teeth grinding (1)
- tooth grinding (1)
- sugar (1)
- nutrition (3)
- root canal treatment (7)
- Bridges (2)
- snoring (2)
- sleep apnea (2)
- dental emergency (1)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- mouthguards (3)
- smile design (2)
- thumb sucking (1)
- bone grafting (2)
- periodontal surgery (1)
- tooth extraction (1)
- periodontist (1)
- chipped tooth (3)
- tooth wear (2)
- tmj disorders (2)
- Damaged Teeth (1)
- Healthy Teeth (1)
- x-ray (1)
- gum recession (2)
- Dental Veneers (1)
- bone loss (1)
- tooth replacement (1)
- teething (1)
- lingual braces (1)
- loose teeth (1)
- retainer (1)
- tooth extractions (1)
- jaw pain (1)
- Preventive Dentistry (1)
- CDC Guidelines (1)
- dental care (1)
- root resorption (1)