Braces for Teens
Prioritizing oral health and gaining confidence in your smile at this early age can go a long way in education, employment, and social life.
Free Consultation
Why the Teen Years?
The teenage years are ideal for orthodontic treatment because most permanent teeth have erupted, but the jaw is still growing. This makes it easier to guide teeth and jaws into proper alignment.
Having a beautiful, healthy, well-functioning smile at this pivotal age can make all the difference for our teenage patients.
We don't just stop at straight teeth, we craft a unique smile that is perfected on the small and large scale. When indicated, gingivectomies (gum contouring) and enameloplasty (minimal tooth reshaping) can take your smile to the next level of a Graf Smile.
Treatment Options
Metal Braces
The classic choice. Today's metal braces are smaller, sleeker, and more comfortable. Customize with colored bands!
Clear/Ceramic Braces
Same great results as metal braces, but with transparent/esthetic brackets that blend in.
Invisalign Teen
Clear, removable aligners with discreet attachments. If your case lends itself to Invisalign and you are good at sticking to a routine, this can be a great option.
Functional Appliances
For patients needing growth guidance, appliances such as the Herbst or MARA can help the lower jaw and chin develop forward for bite and facial balance.
Common Issues We Treat
- Crowding: Teeth that overlap or are twisted due to lack of space
- Spacing: Gaps between teeth
- Overbite: Upper teeth extend too far over lower teeth
- Underbite: Lower teeth extend past upper teeth
- Crossbite: Upper and lower teeth don't align properly
- Open bite: Teeth don't meet when biting down
- Narrow smile: Underdeveloped smiles can be expanded to make room for teeth and create a broad, beautiful smile.
Life with Braces
We know you have a busy life — school, sports, activities, and friends. Here's what to know:
- Sports: You can play sports with braces. We recommend an orthodontic mouthguard for contact sports. (not the boil and bite type)
- Band/Orchestra: You can still play instruments. There may be a short adjustment period.
- Food: Some foods should be avoided (hard, sticky, chewy), but you'll still enjoy most of your favorites.
- Cleaning: Brushing and flossing take a bit longer, but we'll show you exactly how to do it. Every Graf Orthodontics patient receives a free Oral-B electric toothbrush when treatment begins: an Oral-B iO6 for patients ages 16 and older, and an Oral-B iO2 for patients ages 15 and younger.
Most teen treatments last 12-24 months, depending on the complexity of your case.
You'll visit us on the interval Dr. Graf recommends, often every 4-10 weeks depending on treatment needs.