Orthodontics for Teens | Braces Austin

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Invest in Your Austin Teen

The most common time for orthodontic treatment in Austin and Bee Cave is during the teen years. It’s between the ages of 12 and 16 because most permanent teeth will be in place.

Luckily, some new solutions we have at Luv Braces work to make your teen’s treatment process much easier than ever before.

Benefits of a Straight Smile

Straight teeth that respond well to orthodontic treatment have many benefits, including:

Less prone to wear and tear, chipping, and tooth trauma
Easier to keep clean, helping to prevent tooth decay and cavities
Reduced chance of developing gum disease, which can result in bone loss, decay, and tooth loss
Improved chewing and digestion of food

All About Teen Orthodontics in Bee Cave

Experienced orthodontists like Dr. Tahbaz and Dr. Rezapour can easily recognize issues with spacing, crowding, bite, and alignment in this age range, and your teen’s bone and jaw structure are formed enough for us to successfully and safely begin orthodontic treatment.

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.

Beyond outward 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. Tahbaz or Dr. Rezapour at Luv Braces since they could be signs your teen may benefit from orthodontic treatment.

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

Bad Bites

Diagnosing and successfully treating certain bite problems can have short-term and long-term benefits.

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

Choose Your Look

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

Here at Luv Braces, we offer:

Metal Braces

Braces have come a very long way, even within the past decade. When many people think of braces, they think of extremely bulky metal brackets.

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

Invisalign®

The Invisalign system is made up of a series of fully customized, clear trays called aligners. These aligners are nearly invisible and totally removable.

Made of soft plastic, they provide a more comfortable orthodontic experience, with no friction or abrasions inside your teen’s mouth.

Each week your teen will switch their aligner for the next in the set. 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 significant treatment.

Ceramic Braces

Also known as clear braces, these work the same way metal braces do but feature brackets made of tooth-colored ceramic materials.

They blend in with your teen’s smile, making them much less obvious. Since ceramic braces are slightly more prone to breaking and a little costlier than metal braces, they may not be best for everyone.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces have braces that are placed on the back of your teeth instead of the front. These braces are custom-made to fit your mouth, and are completely invisible.

FAQs About Teen Orthodontics in Austin + Bee Cave

Can my teen still play in the band?

Can teens still play sports?

Absolutely. If your teen athlete in Austin or Beecave wears traditional braces, it’s crucial to protect their smile to stay on track with their treatment.

Dr. Tahbaz and Dr. Rezapour strongly recommend using an orthodontic mouthguard to protect their mouth and braces from any potential injury.

Your teen can play any contact sport if they use the proper orthodontic mouthguard. If your teen has Invisalign, they can take their aligner out before practice or a game and put it back in afterward.

How long does treatment take?

This question doesn’t have a concrete answer, unfortunately. Every case we treat at Luv Braces is different, but the average length of the active stage of orthodontic treatment is anywhere from 6-36 months.

After this phase of treatment is complete, your teen will need to wear a retainer for as long as Dr. Tahbaz or Dr. Rezapour believes necessary based on their individual case. We work as a team with both parents and teens to create a smile that will last a lifetime.

Make an Investment in Your Teen’s Smile Today

Orthodontic treatment is an investment in your child’s future. By scheduling a free consultation, Dr. Tahbaz and Dr. Rezapour will be happy to discuss the benefits of treatment with both of you, as well as any of the risks with putting off or skipping treatment.

Although adults can successfully complete orthodontic treatment at Luv Braces, a teen’s jaws and teeth can respond quicker to orthodontic treatment, which shortens their total time in treatment.