Orthodontics for Teens | Braces Visalia

Invest in Your Teen

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

Fortunately, at Murray & Olson Orthodontics, you have solutions to make the treatment process much easier than ever before.

All About Teen Orthodontics

Experienced orthodontists like Dr. Murray and Dr. Olson can easily recognize issues with spacing, crowding, bite, and alignment in this age range, and your teen’s bone and jaw structure are formed enough to allow orthodontic treatment to begin.

Some teens in Visalia and the surrounding communities may have even started Phase I treatment at an earlier age, and are now following it up with full braces or other orthodontic treatment.

Beyond outward appearances, untreated dental problems can have a lasting impact on your teen’s oral and overall health.

If you notice any of the following issues, we recommend a free consultation with the doctors at Murray & Olson Orthodontics, since they could be signs your teen may benefit from orthodontic treatment.

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

Choose Your Look

While creating a customized treatment plan for your teen, Dr. Scott Murray and Dr. Jeff Olson might recommend an orthodontic appliance.

Here at Murray & Olson 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.

We don't use this type of bulky orthodontic appliance, and 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 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.

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:

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

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
Improving proper chewing and digestion of food
Reducing the chances of developing gum disease, which can result in bone loss, decay, and tooth loss

FAQs About Teen Orthodontics

How long does treatment take?

This question doesn’t have a concrete answer, unfortunately. Every case is different, but the average length of the active stage of orthodontic treatment is anywhere from 6-36 months.

After this phase of treatment is complete, your teen will need to wear a retainer for as long as your doctor feels necessary based on their individual case.

We work as a team with both parents and teen to create a smile that will last a lifetime.

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.

We strongly recommend that they use 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 at Murray & Olson Orthodontics is an investment in your child’s future. During your free consultation, Dr. Murray, Dr. Olson, and the team 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 at our office in Visalia.