Adolescent Treatment
For many teens and tweens, getting braces feels like a rite of passage. Many of their peers have them, and they may be excited about joining the journey. Some, however, may feel a little apprehensive about the process, wondering how they will look and if it will hurt. At Trimmell, Anders, and White Orthodontics, we are here to make the process as positive as possible for our young patients.
There’s a reason so many adolescents are under the care of an orthodontist. When the jaw is still growing and developing and the teeth are newly erupted, the mouth is ideally situated to move the teeth and adjust the bite. Trimmell, Anders, and White Orthodontics offers adolescent treatment for young people in Wichita and the surrounding communities, with caring staff that make the process as enjoyable as possible for your child.
Why Orthodontics for Adolescents Makes Sense
Many problems addressed by the orthodontist are in relation to the bite and jaw alignment. Small jaws, poor bite alignment, and crowding can all lead to problems after the jaw is done growing and the child is an adult.
In addition, adolescence is the time when many kids are in braces or aligners. This means that your child will fit in with their peers. In fact, some kids are disappointed if they don’t need braces because so many of their friends have them. Since it’s so common, many kids don’t feel self-conscious about the process and can embrace their braces with gusto.
Benefits of Braces for Adolescent Oral Health
While many teens want braces to improve their look, orthodontic treatment actually has a role to play in oral health. With overcrowding, for instance, flossing can be difficult, increasing the risks of cavities or plaque in between the teeth. This can then lead to an increased risk for gum disease as an adult.
Misaligned bites can lead to broken, worn, or cracked teeth when the teeth do not come together properly. In addition, alignment problems can cause issues with jaw pain and TMJ discomfort. With braces, you can help prevent many of these problems down the road for your child.
How the Process Works with Us
With adolescent patients, our orthodontic process starts with thorough imaging and measurement of the mouth and teeth. We will use that data to make a treatment plan. Each treatment plan is customized for the individual patient we are seeing, giving your child a perfect smile and bite at the end of treatment.
Throughout this process, we work to make your child as comfortable as possible. Our friendly staff knows how to crack jokes and ask the right questions so your teen feels at home in our office.
Our Treatment Options
At Trimmell, Anders, and White Orthodontics, we use a range of treatment options for our adolescent patients, depending on their needs.
Your child’s treatment may include:
- Expanders: Many teens have small palates or jaws. Expanders spread out the mouth to provide room for adult teeth and help correct crowding.
- Metal braces: Metal braces are the most common choice for younger teens. They are always on, so there’s no risk that the child will forget to put them back in after eating.
- Clear aligners: Aligners can be a great option for teens who are active in sports, play instruments, or have a metal allergy. Invisalign, can give them more confidence while still providing excellent movement for the teeth.
- Rubber bands: Rubber bands attach to special hooks on the braces to train the bite so it sits in a more comfortable position.
- Oral appliances: In addition to headgear and expanders, our orthodontic team can draw from our expertise to choose a number of appliances to help your child achieve an ideal bite.
Schedule Your Consultation with Our Caring Orthodontic Team Today
The team at Trimmell, Anders, and White Orthodontics is ready to help your teen embrace the orthodontic journey. We are known for our caring approach and cutting-edge treatment options. If you suspect that your teen may need braces schedule a complimentary consultation with Trimmell, Anders, and White Orthodontics to discuss adolescent treatment in Wichita today. With our help, your teen can have straight teeth and a proper bite, all with a positive experience from a caring and knowledgeable team. Call today to schedule your appointment.
