TREATMENT FOR ADOLESCENTS

Adolescent orthodontic treatment is often called Phase II treatment.  The most common time for treatment is between the ages of 11 and 15, and for good reasons.  By age 12, most, if not all, of the permanent teeth have erupted and are in place, and crooked teeth, gaps and bad bites can easily be identified.  These problems will hardly ever correct themselves, so this is when most parents decide to seek orthodontic treatment for their children.

This is also a good time for orthodontic treatment because many of the negative associations with braces are not yet present.  Many children in this age group receive orthodontic treatment, and kids are often willing to wear braces because they see their friends wearing them too and want to join in the fun! 

Besides the benefits of fitting in with their friends, children at this age are growing fast, and orthodontists can typically take advantage of these growth spurts to help shape the bite and teeth correctly. Children at this age also have a high metabolism, which can help shorten overall treatment time and reduce discomfort.

Airway Orthodontics - did you know that all orthodontists are airway orthodontists? This is because how we breath and posture can affect how our face and skull grow and also how our teeth fit together. Childhood is the perfect time to detect any airway issues. Dr. Carney is often the first person to bring up a potential airway issue to a patient or parent. We then often recommend they seek further evaluation by a physician - their pediatrician or an ENT and/or allergist. Then any airway issues can be addressed when the patient is still growing, and further growth can be modified to ensure your child is growing in the most ideal way. Waiting too long to address airway and growth issues in children can lead to skeletal deficiencies that may require jaw surgery in the future. Adolescence is a unique time in which a lot of growth is occurring and can therefor still be modified.

Myofunctional Orthodontics - just like airway orthodontics, all residency-trained orthodontists are myofunctional orthodontists. “Myo” means muscle; so myofunctional is muscle function. Our teeth are where they are because they are in equilibrium between our muscles - our tongue, lips, cheeks, and sometimes outside forces like thumbs and fingers. (Talking about you, thumb suckers!) Orthodontists are trained to diagnose and treat, and sometimes refer out, any muscle function abnormality. This is often closely tied to airway issues. Dr. Carney works closely with myofunctional therapists and often refers patients for evaluation by a myofunctional therapist. These are professionals who are similar to speech therapists but treat resting muscle posture, not just speech issues.

Adolescence is also a very unique time in your child’s life when it comes to social pressures and self awareness. Things that may not have bothered them earlier in childhood, might bother them now. It’s not uncommon for an adolescent to all of the sudden become self conscious of their smile. That snaggle tooth or gap you think is adorable as their parent may now be causing them to smile with their mouth closed or avoid photos all-together. Family photos are tough enough, not to mention selfies and social media pressures! We understand these challenges and want to give your teenager a smile that enhances their self-esteem and gives them the confidence to be themselves without those unwanted feelings of self-consciousness.

Additionally, because this is such a unique time when it comes to self-awareness— there are certain things orthodontists or providers should discuss with the patient, and there are other things that might best be mentioned to a parent outside their child’s earshot. Dr. Carney understands the nuances and is sensitive to the challenges that come with being a teenager. She makes every effort to never make your child feel self-conscious. Our goal is to build your child’s confidence with a smile they’re proud of!

Curious if your child could benefit from braces or other orthodontic treatment? Schedule your consultation today and let us give your teenager’s confidence the boost of a beautiful, functional smile!