Optimal Window for Smile Development
Teenagers’ bodies are in an incredible period of growth and development, making it an ideal age to complete orthodontic treatment.
Teenagers typically have all of their permanent teeth, and their faces and jaws aren’t growing much more. However, their bones renew themselves at a faster rate than do adults’ bones, so teens respond quickly to orthodontic treatment and have great smile retention when they properly wear their retainer.
Every teenager’s smile and schedule, is different, which is why we offer more than one path to a confident, healthy bite. During your teen’s consultation, our orthodontists will walk through the options below and recommend the treatment that best fits their orthodontic needs, activities, and personal preferences. No two treatment plans look exactly alike, and we’ll never recommend more treatment than your teen actually needs.
OrthoFX clear aligners are a great fit for teens who want a treatment that’s easy to remove for sports, instruments, photos, and meals. OrthoFX trays are custom-made from digital scans, require less continuous wear time than some other aligner systems, and include built-in compliance indicators that help busy teens (and their parents) stay on track.
Traditional metal braces remain one of the most effective and budget-friendly ways to correct even complex bite and alignment issues. Today’s brackets and wires are made from high-grade stainless steel that holds up well to an active teenage lifestyle, and many teens enjoy personalizing their braces with colored bands at each adjustment.
Because metal braces stay in place the entire time, they’re often the right recommendation for teens who need reliable, hands-off treatment or who have more involved orthodontic needs. We only recommend this, or any treatment, when it’s genuinely the best fit for your teen’s case, not because it’s the simplest option for us.
For teens who want precision without sacrificing comfort, LightForce Braces use brackets that are 3D-printed to the exact shape of the tooth, based off a digital scan of your teen’s smile. Because every bracket is custom to your teen, treatment tends to be more predictable and comfortable that the one-size-fits-all brackets and the brackets themselves are less noticeable since they are translucent.
Our office pairs many services with DentalMonitoring. Teenagers need both independence and guidance, so this gives them a good balance during their orthodontic treatment. Teens can learn the remote monitoring system and take care of their remote appointments, meaning parents are managing less and driving to fewer appointments.
Whatever direction you lean, our doctors will confirm the right fit clinically before treatment begins; we’ll never steer your teen toward a technology just because it’s the newest one available.
Drs. Sellke, Rhee, and Nagy have worked for decades with the amazing and capable teenagers in Lake County. We understand their drive for independence while still very much relying on their parents. We have a unique ability to connect with teens, engage them as partners in their orthodontic treatment, and create an environment that’s as enjoyable as it is successful.
If any of these sound familiar, a complimentary consultation is the easiest next step. Our doctors will let you know whether treatment is recommended now or whether it’s worth monitoring for a bit longer.
Every smile is unique. That’s why we offer flexible, custom treatment options for every age, goal, and lifestyle.
