Embracing Braces

Straight talk on teeth straightening options

By Kathleen Johnson

Braces are an unofficial rite of passage for many teens, and while today’s braces are more attractive than they used to be (metal mouth? not necessarily), the prospect still makes most teens a bit anxious.

"My daughter wanted to know if wearing braces would be painful, how often she would have to see the orthodontist, and how she would floss. We both had a lot of questions,” says Lisa McCoskey, mother of 16 year-old Grace. Grace also worried that braces might interfere with her school activities. Luckily, parents can alleviate kids’ worries and make teeth straightening a positive–and effective–experience, just by following these few simple steps:

Step 1: Talk It Out

Talk to your teen about the importance of correcting their teeth now so they don't have problems in the future. Explain why you or other family members had braces and how it has benefited you in adulthood. “This is the first time the child gets to take real responsibility for anything,” notes Dr. Michael Guess of Dr. Guess Orthodontics in Sacramento. “The patient has direct influence on outcome and needs to be an active and involved participant in their treatment,” adds Dr. Guess.

Ask the orthodontist as many questions as necessary, and make sure you both understand how to care for the corrective method you and your doctor choose. “By allowing [young patients] to take responsibility for their own treatment, they become more willing participants,” says Dr. Kelly Giannetti of Giannetti Orthodontics in Sacramento. Empowering teens in this way means they’ll feel better about their orthodontia and you’ll see better results.

Step 2: Consider Your Options

Teens today have choices. “Metal braces that sit on the surface of the tooth are what come to mind for most patients, but one of the newest options is quickly becoming the most popular,” says Dr. Mark Holt of Braces by Holt, in Sacramento and Roseville. “Clear, removable braces like the new Invisalign Teen treatment are more comfortable and do not interfere with teens’ desire to be ‘braceless’ for milestone events like prom, senior pictures and interviews,” he says.

The option consists of a series of clear aligners that fit over the teeth and are switched out about every two weeks. “Each aligner is individually manufactured with exact calculations and custom fitted to gradually and effectively move teeth into place without metal wires or brackets," explains Holt. He adds, “Invisalign Teen also includes a replacement guarantee for up to six lost aligners, just in case teens misplace them.”

Compared to metal braces, the clear aligner option has many benefits. The cost is roughly about the same as traditional braces, and the system usually requires fewer office visits, shorter appointments, and no "emergency" visits for broken wires or brackets. And unlike metal wires and brackets, which can cause irritation or even accident-related injuries, especially for teens involved in sports, clear aligners are made of lightweight plastic that sits smoothly and comfortably on the teeth. To monitor progress, Invisalign Teen aligners feature a Compliance Indicator that is designed to fade from blue to clear, so parents can gauge generally whether their teen is wearing them as much as they should be.

“What my teen patients appreciate, beyond the near invisibility, is that with the aligners they can brush, floss and maintain normal oral hygiene throughout treatment,” says Holt. “And, for teens [who] may already be self-conscious about wearing braces, this almost immediate improvement in aesthetics often is a motivating factor that helps with compliance throughout treatment.”

“Compliance is key,” says Dr. Guess. “Even though headgear is among the most effective treatments, you don’t see it used except in the most extreme cases because typically you won’t get the patient to comply. Teens don’t want anything that will bring attention to their braces.”

Step 3: Choose Your Treatment Team

Find an orthodontist both you and your teen feel comfortable with, and engage the doctor and staff during appointments. “It’s always good to talk with your friends and your general dentist to get an orthodontist recommendation,” Dr. Giannetti advises. She adds, “Don’t be afraid to go out and experience different practices because you are going to spend a few years with that practice.” It makes a big difference when kids like and trust their orthodontist, so choose carefully.

“This is a total team effort,” says Dr. Guess. “We only control about two-thirds of the treatment outcome; the rest is up to the patient. If a patient feels comfortable talking to the orthodontist and his or her staff, the more active they will become in their treatment.” And that active involvement means better results.

“The teenage years can be challenging – for both parents and children,” says Dr. Holt. To help teens maintain a positive attitude and make braces one less concern or source of conflict at home, he recommends talking to kids throughout the process, listening to their concerns, and deciding together which treatment option is best for them.

All of the orthodontists interviewed for this article are certified by the American Board of Orthodontists with practices in Sacramento and surrounding cities.