Teen Orthodontics | Braces Brentwood

Invest in Your Brentwood Teen

The teen years (between the ages of 12 and 16) are the most common time for orthodontic treatment because most permanent teeth will be in place.

Luckily, some new solutions let Dr. Frank Hann and Dr. Kristen Hann work to make the treatment process much easier than ever before.

All About Teen Orthodontics

It’s not unusual for teens and parents to be nervous about impending orthodontic treatment. Bulky metal braces are a thing of the past. Today’s options are smaller, sleeker, and far more comfortable than ever before.

We offer various styles and materials and even have many colored bands to choose from to better reflect our teen patients' personality and lifestyle.

If you notice any of the following issues, we recommend a free consultation with Dr. Frank Hann and Dr. Kristen Hann at Hann Orthodontics since they could be signs your teen may benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Early, late, or irregular loss of their baby teeth
Difficulty with chewing or biting
Crowding or extra spacing between teeth
Jaws that shift or make sounds
Frequent biting of the cheek or the inside of the mouth
Teeth that meet abnormally or not at all
Jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face
Protrusion of teeth

Hann Orthodontics has a variety of orthodontic appliances to choose from, both fixed and removable. These options include:

Traditional metal braces
Ceramic braces
Invisalign
Invisalign Teen

Bad Bites

Diagnosing and successfully treating certain bite problems can have short-term and long-term benefits.

Problems classified as “bad bites” can often be minimized with the proper orthodontic treatment, including:

Crooked or crowded teeth
Missing or extra teeth
An overbite or underbite
Incorrect jaw position
A disorder of the jaw joint

Benefits of a Straight Smile

Straight teeth that respond well to orthodontic treatment have many benefits, including:

Being less prone to wear and tear, chipping, and tooth trauma
Being easier to keep clean, helping to prevent tooth decay and cavities
Reducing the chances of developing gum disease, which can result in bone loss, decay, and tooth loss
Improving proper chewing and digestion of food

Choose Your Look

While creating a customized treatment plan for your teen, Dr. Frank Hann and Dr. Kristen Hann might recommend an orthodontic appliance.

Here at Hann Orthodontics, we offer:

Metal Braces

Braces have come a very long way, even within the past decade. When many people think of braces, they think of extremely bulky metal brackets.

Dr. Frank Hann and Dr. Kristen Hann don't use this type of bulky orthodontic appliance. Many of the new braces are lighter and more comfortable than ever before.

Ceramic Braces

Also known as clear braces, these work the same way metal braces do but feature brackets made of tooth-colored ceramic materials.

They blend in with your teen’s smile, making them much less obvious. Since ceramic braces are slightly more prone to breaking and a little costlier than metal braces, they may not be best for everyone.

Invisalign® for Teens

The Invisalign system is made up of a series of fully customized, clear trays called aligners. These aligners are nearly invisible and totally removable.

Made of soft plastic, they provide a more comfortable orthodontic experience, with no friction or abrasions inside your Brentwood teen’s mouth.

Each week your teen will switch their aligner for the next in the set. When worn the recommended 20-22 hours per day, your teen’s teeth will gradually move into the desired positions.

Invisalign works best for mild to moderate orthodontic issues and may not be an option if your teen needs more serious treatment.

FAQs About Teen Orthodontics

How long does treatment take?

The question we hear most often from teens is how long they’ll have to undergo orthodontic treatment. Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to that, because every case is different, and every patient responds to treatment in their own way.

However, we can generally give an estimate, and one of the biggest factors in the length of time treatment will take is the patient themselves.

By following Dr. Frank Hann and Dr. Kristen Hann’s recommendations, taking good care of their appliance, and maintaining a good oral hygiene routine, teens can keep their treatment time to a minimum.

Can teens still play sports?

Absolutely. If your teen athlete is wearing traditional braces, it’s crucial to protect their smile to stay on track with their treatment.

Dr. Frank Hann and Dr. Kristen Hann strongly recommend using an orthodontic mouthguard to protect their braces and their mouth from any potential injury.

Your teen can play any contact sport if they use the proper orthodontic mouthguard.

If your teen has Invisalign, they can take their aligner out before practice or a game and put it back in afterward.

What about band?

Make an Investment in Your Teen’s Smile Today

Orthodontic treatment is an investment in your child’s future. During your free consultation, Dr. Frank and Dr. Kristen will be happy to discuss the benefits of treatment as well as the risk of putting it off.

Although adults can successfully complete orthodontic treatment, a teen’s jaws and teeth can respond quicker to orthodontic treatment, shortening their total treatment time.