Braces for Teenagers in Surrey
The team at Guildford Orthodontic Centre in Surrey can help your teen achieve a straighter smile and improved oral health.
If you’re a teenager who needs braces, you probably have a lot of questions – especially about how having braces will affect your day-to-day life. You'll find some of the answers to your questions here!
Adolescence is a great time for teens to consider getting braces. During this stage, the jaws and teeth are still developing and shifting, making it easier to move teeth into a permanent, properly aligned position. Throughout treatment, you will need to see your orthodontist every six to eight weeks for check-ups and adjustments. Regardless of what type of teen braces you get, you will need to wear retainers once you complete treatment to keep the newly aligned teeth in the correct position. Eventually, you can wear the retainer only at night.
The good news is that modern braces are much easier to wear today than in the past. They are less noticeable, are efficient at straightening teeth, and are widely considered more gentle than early orthodontic appliances may have been. Additionally, braces for teens can be low-profile and match the colour of the natural teeth or super colourful, depending on your preferences.
How long will I wear my braces for teens?
This is one of the most common questions people ask about braces. Orthodontic treatment can take anywhere from 9 months to 5 years to complete, but most commonly, it lasts between 12 to 24 months.
The length of time you wear your braces for teens depends on a few different factors, and some of them are in your control! These factors include:
- What problems are being corrected - Depending on the position of your crooked teeth and the extent of the problem, your treatment could take anywhere from 12 months to 24 months. Keep in mind too, that everyone is different, and some people’s treatment just takes a bit longer.
- If you’ve had treatment in the past - Some teens have already undergone orthodontic treatment when they were young, or what’s called Phase I treatment. If you’ve had Phase I treatment, then you’ll have a bit of a head start!
- How you care for your teeth and braces - The care you take of your teeth and orthodontic appliances can make a difference in the duration of your treatment. If you follow the care instructions the Guildford Orthodontic Centre team give you, you likely won’t need to wear your braces for any additional time.
What kinds of food can I eat with teen braces?
With braces, you’ll be able to eat many of the foods you normally do, with a few exceptions. Mainly, you’ll want to avoid the following:
- Hard foods - hard pretzels, nuts, chips, hard candy
- Chewy/sticky foods - gummy bears, taffy, gum, caramels
- Foods that you bite into - corn on the cob, apples, carrots, celery
What does Phase II Treatment for Braces involve?
Phase II treatment is also called comprehensive treatment, because it involves full braces that are applied when all of the permanent teeth have erupted, usually between the ages of 11 and 13.
What are my options for Braces for Teens in Surrey?
Orthodontic treatment has changed a lot over the years. These days, you don’t have to worry about setting off any metal detectors, and there are a variety of options to choose from.
Coloured Braces - You’ve embraced the idea that you’re going to have traditional braces for the next couple of years. In fact, now you want to have a little fun with them. Why not try some colour?
Invisalign® Teen - Invisalign straightens your teeth without wires and brackets, using a series of clear, customized, removable appliances called aligners. Because they are clear and discreet, casual observers will be hard-pressed to learn that you’re straightening your teeth.
Talk to our Surrey, BC orthodontists about teen braces. We offer different types of braces for teens in Surrey, as well as orthodontic care services to improve oral hygiene! Our treatment plans can help you achieve a straight and healthy-looking smile.