Orthodontics for Adolescents
Adolescent
Adolescent, also known as “teenaged”, years are a period of tremendous physical, emotional, and mental development. Body structures and tooth eruption experience growth spurts during puberty.
Girls begin the adolescent phase at approximately 10 years of age and have maximal growth at 12 years of age. Boys enter the adolescent phase at 12 years of age and have their growth spurt at 14 years of age.
Adolescents and Orthodontics
Adolescence is the ideal time to undergo the majority of orthodontic treatments. Orthodontists aim to treat many patients between the ages of 11 and 13 for 2 reasons:
1) the eruption of permanent teeth has completed (except for “wisdom” teeth) and
2) in many cases, growth can be very advantageous. In patients with discrepancies in the size or position of the jaws (maxilla or mandible), adolescence may be the ideal time to utilize growth to correct dental and skeletal problems.
Orthodontic treatments that begin in early teenaged years are often simpler, faster, and may require fewer extractions of permanent teeth. An orthodontic exam and consultation at OrthoVille will help you determine when is the ideal time to begin orthodontic treatment.
Invisalign Teen
OrthoVille Orthodontics offers Invisalign Teen for certain patients. Invisalign Teen is the only orthodontic treatment with transparent aligners created specifically for teenagers.
This technology uses special indicators to help teenagers cooperate with aligner wear. Invisalign Teen allows adolescents to maintain their active lifestyles and since they are removable, patients can brush and floss better.
OrthoVille Experience
As an orthodontist, Dr. Scalia honestly wishes that your orthodontic experience is memorable and pleasant. As a patient, you have an extremely important role in your orthodontic treatment.
Cooperation with oral hygiene recommendations, appointments, and elastic wear are essential to obtain ideal treatment results. The team at OrthoVille Orthodontics will constantly support you and help you during your treatment. We are on a journey together!
