Teen orthodontics
Why the early teens are the standard time for orthodontic treatment, what the options are, and what treatment involves day to day. CDZ Ortho, Johns Creek.
Why this is the usual age
The early teens are the usual time for comprehensive treatment.
By then the adult teeth are in or nearly in, and there is usually still enough jaw growth left to help with bite correction. Both make treatment more straightforward than it will be later.
The options
Metal braces. The most common choice at this age. Durable and suitable for any case.
Clear braces. Ceramic brackets, less visible, usually on the upper teeth.
Invisalign Teen®. Removable aligners with eruption tabs for teeth still coming through and a wear indicator.
The right option depends on the case and on how reliably the patient will do their part.
What treatment involves
Twelve to thirty months for most cases. Appointments usually every one to two months.
The parts that require the patient: keeping the teeth clean, avoiding food that breaks brackets, wearing rubber bands as instructed, and, with aligners, keeping them in for 20 to 22 hours a day.
Elastic wear is the single most common reason treatment runs longer than the estimate.
Sport and school
Contact sport requires an orthodontic mouthguard.
Wind instrument players adapt within a few weeks. Tell us at the consult so bracket placement can account for it.
We open at 7:00 AM. Ask about the earliest available times when you book.
Cost and insurance
Full fee in writing at the free consult. Monthly payment plans available. Most plans that cover orthodontics apply a lifetime maximum, which we verify before treatment starts.