Bracing for Braces: Teeth Straightening Options
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Bracing for Braces
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(ARA) - If you or your friends had metal braces growing up, you might remember that they were sometimes difficult to deal with - from restrictions on what foods you could enjoy, to the challenges of keeping teeth clean and the feeling that your braces were the most noticeable thing about you.
While braces are more attractive than they used to be, most teens are still a bit anxious about getting them. "My daughter wanted to know if wearing braces would be painful, how often she would have to see the orthodontist and how she would floss. We both had a lot of questions," says Lisa McCoskey, mother of 16 year-old Grace.
"I'm involved in lots of school activities and worried that braces would only get in the way," says Grace.
Parents can help make teeth straightening a positive - and effective - experience for their teen by taking a few simple steps.
1) Talk it out.
Talk to your teen about the importance of correcting their teeth now so they don't have problems in the future. Explain why you or other family members had braces and how it has benefited you in adulthood. Ask the orthodontist as many questions as necessary. And, make sure you both understand how to care for the corrective method you and your doctor choose to get the best results.
2) Consider your options.
"You can still select metal braces that sit on the surface of the tooth, or you can consider clear, removable braces like the new Invisalign Teen, which is virtually invisible and does not interfere with teens' desire to be 'braceless' for milestone events like prom, senior pictures and interviews," says Ohio-based orthodontist, Dr. Dan German, of German and Burke Orthodontics.
This option, which was developed with the help of leading orthodontists who understand the unique needs of teens, consists of a series of clear aligners that fit over the teeth and are switched out about every two weeks. "Each aligner is individually manufactured with exact calculations and custom fitted to gradually and effectively move teeth into place without metal wires or brackets," explains German.
When compared to metal braces, the clear aligner option has many benefits. Although the cost is about the same as traditional braces, the system usually requires fewer office visits, shorter appointments and no "emergency" visits for broken wires or brackets. Metal wires and brackets can cause irritation or even accident-related injuries, especially for teens involved in sports. Clear aligners are made of lightweight plastic that sits smoothly on the teeth allowing for a more comfortable fit. Because the aligners can be removed, you can eat, brush and floss as you would normally. Invisalign Teen aligners feature a Compliance Indicator that is designed to fade from blue to clear, so parents can gauge generally whether their teen is wearing them as much as they should be.
"The teen patients that I'm treating with this option also appreciate that the aligners can make spaces between teeth appear smaller or disappear completely beginning the first day," says German. "Self-esteem has such paramount importance to teens that any immediate improvement in aesthetics is a motivating factor that aids with compliance throughout treatment."
3) Decide on an orthodontist both you and your teen feel comfortable with and engage the doctor and staff during appointments.
Don't be afraid to meet with several orthodontists and check references to find one both you and your child connect with. Some orthodontists specialize in certain types of procedures. One might have more experience working with aligners and should be considered if you decide on this option.
Grace and her mom chose Drs. German and Burke as their orthodontists, asked plenty of questions, and decided to try Invisalign Teen. "It's cool because your teeth are getting straighter, but people don't even notice that you have them," says Grace.
"The relationship between a teenager and a parent can be challenged when the parent forces the teenager to wear braces," says German. "Teens appreciate that the parents are making an effort to care for them in a manner that is sensitive to their desires and lifestyles."
Nearly a million people have used the Invisalign system to correct common issues like overly crowded teeth, widely spaced teeth, cross bite and overbite. For more information, visit www.InvisalignTeen.com to find an experienced orthodontist near you.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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