Confidence in Progress.
Braces for Teens.
Modern alignment for the most important years.
Braces For Teens
With low-profile traditional braces for teens, we can correct alignment issues to straighten crooked teeth.
By the time your teen has all of their permanent teeth (which happens for most people between the ages of 11 and 13), we can work on the fine details of correcting any tooth alignment, crowding or bite-related issues.
In this phase, we also finish aligning the teeth and bite, perhaps continuing the work we began with palatal expansion and orthodontic treatment planning. We can now bring each tooth to a precise location in your teen’s mouth, and check that they sit properly in relation to other teeth, lips, tongue and cheeks.
Braces might be used to continue treatment started with early orthodontic intervention. While treatment with dental braces for teenagers can take anywhere from 9 months to 5 years, the average treatment time falls between 1 and 2 years.
Thanks to advances in technology, braces available today are lower profile in appearance. Depending on your teen’s preference, they can accessorize with coloured brackets or go with a singular colour for a minimal look.
Why Braces for Teens?
24/7 Efficiency
Braces are always "on." There is no need to worry about lost aligners or tracking wear-time. For busy teens (and parents), this "set it and forget it" reliability is often a major stress reliever.
Complex Correction
For significant rotation, vertical movement, or complex bite issues, the mechanical leverage of braces is often superior. We can fine-tune every single tooth with absolute precision.
Durability
A misaligned bite forces the jaw muscles to work overtime, leading to stiffness and headaches. Braces guide the jaw into a relaxed, neutral position to eliminate this strain.
Personal Style
Braces can be a fashion statement. With customizable color ties, teens can match their braces to their school spirit, team colors, or personal style at every adjustment appointment.
How Dental Braces for Teenagers Work
Braces can be a great orthodontic treatment option for teens experiencing more complex misalignment or crowding issues.
Braces might be the second phase of orthodontic treatment if your teen had palatal expansion earlier. While different types of braces are available, for patients with bite, crowding or alignment issues, a bracket will generally be attached to each tooth before it’s connected to a wire that crosses a row of teeth.
If required, elastic bands can be attached to brackets. These will be stretched between the upper and lower teeth to correct specific issues. Your teen’s teeth will gradually change positions in tiny increments.
While each teen’s treatment time will vary depending on their specific needs and issues, most teens have braces for about 2 years. They will typically check in with their orthodontist every 6 to 8 weeks for adjustments and to check that the braces are working as intended.
Faq
Teens & Parents Ask Us.
We know teens have specific worries about life with braces. Here are the answers to the most common questions.
The application process is painless—we just glue the brackets on. After adjustments, teeth might feel sore for a day or two (like a bruise), but this fades quickly. Modern heat-activated wires are much gentler than the stiff wires of the past.
Absolutely. You can play hockey, football, soccer, or any contact sport. We just recommend wearing a specialized orthodontic mouthguard to protect your lips and cheeks from the brackets.
We will give you a “safe foods” list. Generally, you want to avoid sticky, chewy, or hard foods that can pop a bracket off. Yes, this means skipping the popcorn and gum for a while, but it gets the braces off sooner!
Every smile is different, but the average is about 18 to 24 months. The better you follow instructions (like wearing your elastics and avoiding breakage), the faster the treatment will go.
Let's see if they are ready.
Book an assessment to see if braces are the right tool for your teen’s smile goals.