Are Braces The Best Choice for Teenagers?

Metal braces were once a years-long rite of passage for teenagers. But things have changed. Modern orthodontic technology has helped to reduce treatment times, and newer materials have provided ways to make traditional braces more discreet.

As a result, braces come in more attractive options than ever and can still correct even the most severe dental issues. This guide will cover all the info you need to decide whether they’re the best option for your teen.

Different Styles of Braces

Your teen is no longer stuck with one style of traditional braces. There are many options to help give them a sense of individuality while still receiving the care they need.

Metal

We’re all familiar with silver metal braces. They’re strong, durable, and can handle the most complex misalignments and malocclusions. The brackets are a stainless steel alloy, while the wires are a nickel-titanium alloy that was originally developed by NASA.

These thin, flexible wires are heat-activated and use the warmth of your mouth to help shift your teeth. While metal braces are the most visible type, they’re also the most affordable.

Ceramic or Plastic

These are clear or tooth-colored brackets that were traditionally made from ceramic porcelain. Today, however, most clear brackets are made from plastic. Ceramic or plastic brackets are a great choice when your teen wants the invisibility of clear aligners but has a more complex case that requires braces. The downside to ceramic or plastic brackets is that they are prone to staining and they’re more fragile than metal.

Self-Ligating

Some braces, like the popular brand Damon braces, are self-ligating. Instead of using small elastics to hold the archwire to the bracket, the bracket has a small hinged flap that locks the archwire in place. This bracket design lets the archwire slide freely, which can mean faster treatment and less discomfort after each adjustment.

Lingual

Lingual braces are similar to traditional metal braces, yet they’re cemented on the backside, or lingual, part of your teeth. They may be more difficult to keep clean than traditional braces because it’s tough to see them when flossing, and you can’t tell if you’ve missed a spot during cleaning.

Factors To Consider Before Getting Braces For Your Teen

Now that we’ve broken down the various styles of braces, the question still remains: are braces the right treatment option for your teen? Here are a few things you should do before moving forward with braces treatment.

1) Take Stock Of Their Extracurricular Activities

If your teen is an athlete, they may need a custom, slightly larger mouthguard to accommodate their braces. If your teen plays a sport that doesn’t require a mouthguard, it still may be a good investment. A hit in the mouth could cause traditional braces to cut your teen’s cheeks and lips, adding more discomfort to an already uncomfortable experience. A mouthguard from your teen’s dentist will not only protect their teeth, but will protect their lips, cheeks, and tongue, too.

2) Be Aware of How Long Treatment Will Take

Traditional metal braces can take anywhere from 12 to 36 months, most often falling around 24 months. Damon braces or lingual braces are typically a little faster, reducing treatment time by up to six months for some patients.

3) Get Ready to Pencil Monthly Dental Visits Into Your Schedule

While traditional braces require a little more focus on homecare than clear aligners, they can still be a more convenient choice. You don’t have to keep track of them or remember to put them in each day. Plus, you don’t have to keep track of when you last changed to a new set. However, they do require monthly adjustments to keep your teeth on track, which can be inconvenient to fit into your schedule. Depending on the style of braces and the complexity of your case, a visit can take 30 minutes to an hour.

4) Make Sure They’re Ready For a More Complex Oral Hygiene Routine

Some teens enjoy the freedom that comes with having braces. Unlike clear aligners, braces simply stay on your teeth all the time. You don’t have to keep track of which aligner set you’re on, remember to take them out to eat, or worry about accidentally throwing them out at lunchtime. But braces also make oral hygiene more complicated. They make flossing a lot harder, give bacteria more places to hide, and can get damaged when you eat crunchy or chewy foods.

While wearing braces, your teen will need to use floss threaders to get underneath the wire, and if they don’t clean thoroughly around the braces, it can lead to demineralization, potentially causing decay and permanent staining. Not flossing between your teeth, especially with braces, can lead to cavities between the teeth, gingivitis, gum disease, and ‌tooth loss.

Paying For Braces: What You Should Know

The cost of braces depends on the style and the length of treatment. Traditional metal braces run about $3,000-7,000, depending on your teen’s bite and the projected treatment time. Yet specialty styles like lingual braces can jump to $10,000 or more because they’re harder to administer and take longer to adjust than traditional braces.

Regardless of which style you choose, there are many payment options available to make orthodontic expenses more manageable.

Dental Insurance

While all policies differ, most dental benefit plans cover at least some of the cost of orthodontic treatment, including traditional braces. Call the number on the back of your dental insurance card to ask about coverage limitations, deductibles, and policy maximums. Most companies only cover one round of treatment per person, so if your teen had braces in the past and needs additional treatment, it may not be covered.

FSA and HSA Plans

Flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts consider braces a covered expense. Flexible spending accounts are usually employer-owned — both you and your employer can put money into an account for medical and dental expenses not covered by insurance.

A health savings account is typically for people with a high-deductible medical plan. While you and your employer can contribute, you must report the account on your taxes. Contact your HR department or the person responsible for your health insurance for more information.

In-Office Payment Plans

Many doctors offer monthly payment plans for orthodontic treatment. In most cases, they simply divide the treatment cost by the number of months it will take. These payment plans rarely include emergency visits.

Third-Party Financing

Companies like CareCredit, LendingClub, and beWell FTL provide financing plans for medical and dental expenses. Many third-party financing companies offer low- or no-interest plans, spaced out over a set period of time. However, they often require credit checks, so not everyone qualifies. If you do, you’ll make payments directly to the company.

Do Braces Pose Any Health Risks?

Like any dental treatment or procedure, there are risks that you and your teen should be aware of.

Tenderness and Discomfort

Braces can cause discomfort for a few days after each adjustment and irritate the insides of your cheeks and lips. Orthodontic wax placed over the brackets or wire can provide some relief until the mouth adjusts. Soft foods, ice packs, and over-the-counter pain relievers recommended by your teen’s doctor are great ways to ease the pain.

Damaged Nerves

Whenever you move tooth roots, there’s a tiny chance that the force can damage nerves. If a nerve gets damaged, it may die and require a root canal. It’s rare, but it’s still possible.

Demineralization and Tooth Decay

If you don’t keep your teeth clean, your teeth can decay around the brackets, which can also cause nerve damage. Sometimes your tooth will start to demineralize, which means the enamel has deteriorated, but the decay hasn’t eaten through it yet. This can create white spots on your teeth that won’t go away on their own.

Jaw Pain

Sometimes, orthodontic treatment triggers temporary pain or discomfort in the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ. This is common and will improve as your teen’s treatment progresses. Symptoms include clicking, popping and trouble chewing, and while they generally aren’t a concern, you should still notify your teen’s orthodontist.

Will My Teen Need Retainers After Braces?

All patients who undergo braces treatment will need aftercare retainers. Your teen will need to wear them every night, typically for the rest of their life, or their teeth might shift back into their original positions.

That said, some doctors may recommend a shorter timeline for retainer usage. Ask your orthodontist about how long retainers are necessary, and what style of retainers they recommend for your teen.

Final Thoughts

Navigating adolescence is tricky enough without the self-consciousness of crooked teeth. Braces are regarded as an effective way to correct most bite and malocclusion issues. Fortunately, they’re also temporary, and once they come off, your teen will have a beautiful, functional smile that will last a lifetime.