Alternative to Braces for Teens

Growing up, teens face all kinds of pressure, and the last things they want to be burdened with are braces. As a teenager, they get to interact a lot with peers and live a socially active life. A teenager’s life is defined by homecoming, prom, high school graduation, and other events, and a mouth full of metal will not help them.

Braces offer an efficient method to align a teenager’s teeth. But if your teen is not happy with the look of metal braces, then it is time for you as a parent to consider alternative treatments. Given a chance, your teen may prefer to avoid the braces totally. But as a parent, you must be aware that investing in their smile is an investment in their future.

Fortunately, there are several alternatives for braces available for your teens. Most of them are less noticeable than metal braces and may save you some money. But you will have to assess each alternative based on your teen’s aesthetic concerns and your budget, or else the alternative might end up being worse than regular metal braces.

Invisalign for Teens

Invisalign for teens is a popular substitute for braces for teens today. They use transparent plastic trays to align the teeth, and the result is a straight set of teeth without any metal in the way. 

Also, Invisalign is easier to care for and has fewer diet restrictions than braces. However, Invisalign aligners must be worn for twenty to twenty-two hours a day, and it means they will still need to wear them continuously with the required breaks.

Additionally, Invisalign aligners are also created to work for about two weeks at a time. Each sequential aligner slightly moves the teeth closer to the desired position. The treatment is completed when all the aligners in the series have been worn. But still, you may wear retainers to help maintain the alignment. 

Ceramic Braces for Teens

Ceramic braces, like metal braces, give your teen a discrete appearance. They are slightly expensive but compensate with their aesthetic appeal. But if your teen needs braces to correct severe alignment issues and is not suitable for Invisalign, ceramic braces may be the most aesthetic option.

Lingual Braces for Teens

Lingual braces are fixed on the backs of the teeth so that they are hidden from view. While this may be ideal for a teen worried about the visibility of front-facing braces, they are much harder to clean and can make it challenging to eat or speak.

Our team at Roshan Emam DDS in Palo Alto, CA, understands how braces can make young teens self-conscious, and we are here to help them overcome their hesitations. Please call us today at (650) 321-0340 to see which of our teeth straightening techniques is suitable for your teenager.