Orthodontics for Teens | Braces Atlanta

Invest in Your Teen’s Smile

The teenage years (between 12 and 16) are the most common time for orthodontic treatment since most permanent teeth will be in place.

Fortunately, we offer some new solutions that make the treatment process easier than ever.

All About Teen Orthodontics

Experienced orthodontists like Dr. Francis can easily recognize issues with spacing, crowding, bite, and alignment in this age range, and your teen’s bone and jaw structure have formed enough to create the perfect circumstances for orthodontic treatment to begin.

Some teens may have even started Phase I treatment at an earlier age, and are now following it up with full braces or Invisalign.

If you notice any of the following issues, we recommend a complimentary consultation with Dr. Francis at Inman Park Orthodontics, since they could be signs your teen may benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Early, late, or irregular loss of their baby teeth
Difficulty with chewing or biting
Crowding or extra spacing between teeth
Jaws that shift or make sounds
Frequent biting of the cheek or the inside of the mouth
Teeth that meet abnormally or not at all
Jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face
Protrusion of teeth

Identifying a Bad Bite

Diagnosing and successfully treating certain bite problems can have both short-term and long-term benefits. Problems classified as “bad bites” can often be minimized with the proper orthodontic treatment at Inman Park Orthodontics, like:

Crooked or crowded teeth
Missing or extra teeth
An overbite or underbite
Incorrect jaw position
A disorder of the jaw joint

Benefits of a Straight Smile

Straight teeth that respond well to orthodontic treatment at Inman Park Orthodontics have many benefits, including:

Being less prone to wear and tear, chipping, and tooth trauma
Being easier to keep clean, helping to prevent tooth decay and cavities
Reducing the chances of developing gum disease, which can result in bone loss, decay, and tooth loss
Improving proper chewing and digestion of food

Choose Your Look

While creating a customized treatment plan for your teen, Dr. Francis might recommend an orthodontic appliance.

Here at Inman Park Orthodontics, we offer:

Metal Braces

Braces have come a very long way, even within the past decade. We use more comfortable, lightweight brackets at Inman Park Orthodontics to make treatment easier than ever before.

Ceramic Braces

Also known as clear braces, these work the same way metal braces do but feature brackets made of tooth-colored ceramic materials. Ceramic braces blend in well with your natural smile.

Invisalign® for Teens

Invisalign for Teens straightens teeth without any metal brackets or wires. Instead, it is made up of a series of completely customized, removable clear trays that give you more freedom and flexibility.

FAQs About Teen Orthodontics in Atlanta

How long does treatment take?

Unfortunately, this question doesn’t have a concrete answer. Every case is different, but the average length of the active stage of orthodontic treatment can last anywhere from 6-36 months.

After this phase of treatment is complete, your teen will need to wear a retainer for as long as Dr. Francis feels necessary based on their individual case.

We work as a team with both parents and teens to create a smile that will last a lifetime!

Can teens still play sports?

Absolutely! However, if your teen athlete is wearing traditional braces, it’s crucial to protect their smile to keep their treatment on track.

We strongly recommend that they use an orthodontic mouthguard to protect their braces - and their mouth - from any potential injury.

Your teen can continue playing any contact sport they choose as long as they use the proper orthodontic mouthguard.

If your teen has Invisalign, they can take their aligner out before practice or a game, and put it back in afterward.

What about band?

Make an Investment in Your Teen’s Smile Today

Orthodontic treatment is an investment in your child’s future. During your free consultation, Dr. Francis will be happy to discuss the benefits of treatment as well as the risk of putting it off.

Although Atlanta adults can successfully complete orthodontic treatment, a teen’s jaws and teeth can respond quicker to orthodontic treatment at Inman Park Orthodontics, which will shorten their total time in treatment.