Invest in Your Teen

The teenage years are the most common time to complete orthodontic treatment.

At this age, experienced orthodontists like Dr. Goldberg and Dr. Davis can easily recognize issues with spacing, crowding, bite, and alignment in this age range,

Most importantly, your teen’s bone and jaw structure are formed enough for orthodontic treatment to start.

Some teens may have even started Phase I treatment at an earlier age, and are now following it up with full braces or other orthodontic treatment.

Signs Your Teen Needs Treatment

Straight teeth aren’t just about appearances. Untreated dental problems can have a lasting impact on your teen’s oral and overall health.

If you notice any of the following issues, we recommend a free consultation with Dr. Goldberg or Dr. Davis at Davis & Goldberg Orthodontics. They could be signs your teen may benefit from orthodontic treatment.

  • Early, late, or irregular loss of their baby teeth
  • Difficulty with chewing or biting
  • Crowding or extra spacing between teeth
  • Jaws that shift or make sounds
  • Frequent biting of the cheek or the inside of the mouth
  • Teeth that meet abnormally or not at all
  • Jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face
  • Protrusion of teeth

Bite Problems

There are both short-term and long-term benefits to diagnosing and successfully treating certain bite problems. Problems classified as “bad bites” can often be minimized with the proper orthodontic treatment, including:

  • Crooked or crowded teeth
  • Missing or extra teeth
  • An overbite or underbite
  • Incorrect jaw position
  • A disorder of the jaw joint

Benefits of Straight Smile

Straight teeth as a result of orthodontic treatment have many benefits, including:

  • Being less prone to wear and tear, chipping, and tooth trauma
  • Reducing the chances of developing gum disease, which can result in bone loss, decay, and tooth loss
  • Being easier to keep clean, helping to prevent tooth decay and cavities
  • Improving proper chewing and digestion of food

Treatment Process

While creating a customized treatment plan for your teen, we might recommend an orthodontic appliance.

Here at Davis & Goldberg Orthodontics, we offer:

Metal Braces

When many people think of braces, they think of extremely bulky metal brackets. But there’s good news! Braces have come a very long way, even within the past decade.

We don't use this type of bulky orthodontic appliance. Many of the new braces are lighter and more comfortable than ever before.

Ceramic Braces

These work the same way as metal braces do, but they feature brackets made of tooth-colored ceramic materials. They blend in with your teen’s smile, making them much less obvious. That’s why they’re sometimes called clear braces.

Since ceramic braces tend to break slightly more easily and are a little costlier than metal braces, they may not be suitable for everyone.

Invisalign

The Invisalign system uses a series of clear trays called aligners to straighten your teeth. These nearly invisible trays are custom made just for you and are totally removable.

They provide a more comfortable orthodontic experience because they’re made of soft plastic. That means no friction or abrasions inside your teen’s mouth.

Your teen will switch their aligner for the next in the set each week. When worn the recommended 20-22 hours per day, your teen’s teeth will gradually move into the desired positions.

Invisalign works best for mild to moderate orthodontic issues, and may not be an option if your teen needs more serious treatment.