Orthodontics for Teens: Smile with Confidence

The teenage years are often when orthodontic treatment is started.

It’s that window in life where adult teeth have grown in but development is still happening. Expert orthodontists can take advantage of that and guide the development of the jaw and teeth to where they should be.

While each child’s dental timetable is a bit different, it’s usually between the ages of 11 and 13 that the baby teeth have all been lost, and adult teeth have grown in.

Boost Your Teens Confidence

The Teenage Years Are Ideal for Orthodontic Treatment

This is an ideal time to work on correcting any issues regarding bite patterns, tooth spacing, or crookedness.

For our teenage guests, we have multiple options of orthodontic treatment. During our first visit, we’ll discuss goals, address problems, and decide together how to best proceed.

Invisalign / Spark Aligners

If the problem is cosmetic or only requires minor adjustments, Invisalign may be the best option. It’s quick, convenient, and effective when used in the right circumstances.

With Invisalign:

The aligners are clear and hard to see
You can remove the aligners when necessary
They’re easy to care for
You’ll have improved oral hygiene during treatment

Invisalign is proven effective time and again when used as directed to resolve the proper issues.

Dr. Kuhni, our Invisalign trained orthodontist, will be able to help you see if Invisalign is right for you.

Learn More About Invisalign

Damon Braces

Damon braces are a relatively new technology to the field of orthodontics. It involves a self-ligating system that:

Reduces discomfort
Speeds up the process
Uses a discreet design

Self-ligating means the braces tighten themselves. There’s no “day after tightening” pain and no lapses in movement. The constant, subtle pressure minimizes discomfort and effectively moves the teeth.

You won’t need to make a trip to the studio to get braces tightened anymore.

We still do checkups to make sure the system is performing properly, but these checkups are less frequent.

Learn More About Damon Braces

Orthodontics During Teen Years Saves Time and Improves Quality of Life

As teens get older, their orthodontic problems may worsen and become more difficult (and expensive) to treat.

Once development has stopped, the teeth and bones of the face and jaw will stabilize, making them more difficult and timely to shift.

With proper orthodontic treatment, a ton of potential health issues can be prevented, and a beautiful smile can be achieved.

Thus, enhancing both dental health and overall well-being.

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A Beautiful Smile Boosts Self-Image and Mental Health

Orthodontic treatment during adolescence can have a profound impact on a teenager’s self-esteem and confidence.

A beautiful smile can significantly improve a young person’s self-image. It allows them to feel more comfortable and assured in public and amongst peers. This newfound confidence can positively influence various aspects of their lives:

Enhance academic achievements
Further extracurricular pursuits
Develop stronger relationships

It may seem foolish to say braces can do all that, but there’s no cap on a young adult with self-confidence.

Anything is possible.

Get a Personalized Treatment Plan

Having Braces Won’t Change Your Daily Life, Just Your Diet

While your teen has braces they can live life to the fullest. They can still play sports, make friends, etc. Their diet will need to change, though.

With braces, the number one rule is to not break them. If brackets or wires get broken the treatment process is drastically slowed.

The number one way to break them is by eating food you shouldn’t.

What Not To Eat with Braces

It is highly recommended that your teen doesn’t eat anything sticky, crunchy, hard, or that must be bitten into. Good examples of this would be:

Apples or corn on the cob
Gum
Popcorn
Jolly ranchers

All of these foods can damage braces and/or gums and soft tissue.

Again, if the braces are damaged, it will take longer for the treatment to be complete. Don’t risk it!

A Personalized Treatment Plan Means Better, Faster Results

Dr. Kuhni’s dedication to providing personalized care to Spanish Fork and surrounding areas means he takes the time to understand each guests’ unique needs and desires.

During your free consultation with Dr. Kuhni, you’ll get x-rays taken and he will walk you through a proposed orthodontic treatment plan.

This plan will be personalized to you and your situation. It will be made to achieve the most beautiful and natural smile as soon as possible.

There’s no one size fits all plan at Kuhni Orthodontic Studio.

Once your treatment has begun, Dr. Kuhni will personally check in on your progress with each visit to make sure you’re on track.

The Parents’ Role in Orthodontics for Teenagers

As a parent or legal guardian, you play a vital role in the treatment plan.

You must make sure:

All appointments are attended
Brushing and flossing is happening regularly
If something breaks it gets fixed asap

Without you in the picture the treatment process could be prolonged indefinitely.

We will take care of you in the studio, but at home, it’s up to you and your child to enforce best practices. The success of the plan in the end will depend on this.

Dr. Kuhni’s Artistic Approach Leaves Every Guest Smiling

Dr. Kuhni is an artist at heart and cares about your wellbeing. Rest assured, he has the skillset to fix these problems and will spend time with you to make sure it’s done right.

His artistic and caring approach to orthodontics ensures effective and personalized solutions for common problems like overcrowding and misalignment.

By addressing these issues during adolescence, he helps set the foundation for improved oral health and greater self-confidence, leading to a happier and more fulfilling life.

At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong preventing future problems by creating a better smile.

Fixing Overcrowding and Crooked Teeth with Braces

Many of the teenage guests we see come in from Spanish Fork and surrounding areas because of overcrowding and crooked teeth. Their new adult teeth often don’t come in straight and can cause problems for other areas of the mouth.

It has significant impacts on oral hygiene and dental health.

When teeth are crowded and positioned irregularly, it becomes challenging to effectively brush and floss. This can lead to complications such as:

Food and plaque buildup
Cavities
Gum disease
Bad breath
Tooth decay

Aside from difficulty brushing and flossing, there are also complications that come from the misaligned teeth themselves.

Uneven wear
Jaw pain
Facial discomfort

All these health issues can be prevented and a beautiful smile created with proper orthodontic treatment.

Start Treatments Today

What To Expect With an Orthodontics for Teenagers

Most of the teenagers we see are concerned about the amount of time it will take to correct their orthodontic problems.

Treatment can take anywhere between 6 and 30 months. The answer depends entirely on the specific type of treatment needed.

During your initial consultation we will take X-rays of your teeth, along with impressions of the mouth. This information will be used to create a treatment plan for your specific issues. We’ll work closely with teens and parents when creating a treatment plan to make sure everyone is onboard.

To set up a consultation for orthodontic treatment, please contact Kuhni Orthodontic Studio here at Spanish Fork, Utah. We love helping people of all ages achieve the smile they’ve always wanted with braces or Invisalign®.

Schedule a Consult with Dr. Kuhni

Tips for Maintaining Oral Hygiene with Teenage Braces

To get the best results from braces, oral hygiene is key.

It’s critical that dental health be maintained to avoid cavities, broken wires, tooth decay, and anything else that may slow down the process.

Here are 5 tips, specifically for teenagers, to effectively maintain oral hygiene with braces:

Brush and floss regularly
Avoid hard and sticky foods
Wear a mouthguard
Don’t injure gums or soft tissue
Keep up with appointments

Brushing and Flossing Is Critical to Your Oral Hygiene

The importance of brushing and flossing regularly can’t be overstated.

This keeps your teeth strong and your gums healthy. If that practice is maintained and sticky/hard foods are avoided, most problems teenagers run into with braces will no longer be applicable.

Keeping up with appointments is crucial.

During each visit, adjustments are made with braces to keep teeth shifting. If an appointment is missed, the teeth will stop moving until the braces are tightened again.

Overall, be smart out there. Don’t break your braces and keep brushing and flossing. If those two things happen, success won’t be far away.

Start The Journey Today