Teen Braces in North Carolina
Orthodontic Treatment for Teens
Your child deserves the best orthodontic care so they can be their happiest, most confident self. Not only does a straight smile help teens feel better about the way that they look, getting braces as a young adult can have positive effects on your child’s long-term health by improving oral hygiene, speech, and more.
We believe that all teens should receive access to high-quality orthodontic care, regardless of their parents’ income or insurance. We’re proud to work with a diverse range of insurance providers and offer flexible payment plans.
Getting Braces as a Teenager
Teenagers getting braces used to have one choice: traditional metal braces. Que visions of embarrassing headgear and hearing whispers of “metal mouth” as you walk down the hallway.
Modern technology has opened doors for more subtle and comfortable options like Invisalign® clear braces and metal braces.
Invisalign® for Teens
Invisalign® is one of the most favored options for teenagers needing braces. These clear aligners are nearly invisible and can’t be seen in pictures. As a result, this treatment option is becoming more and more popular with teenagers and young adults.
Invisalign® formerly was only available to patients who had all of their permanent teeth fully erupted. Invisalign® for Teens is a new product that can accommodate continuing and natural eruption of permanent teeth while still providing effective tooth realignment comparable to traditional braces.
The process of getting Invisalign® for teens starts with scans or impressions. Our team uses these to develop a digital treatment plan to guide your teen’s care from start to finish.
Invisalign® clear aligners are meant to be worn for 20-22 hours daily and can be easily removed, offering very minimal lifestyle disruption. Parents can monitor their teen’s compliance through an indicator on the clear aligner.
To protect your investment, Invisalign® offers the Invisalign® Guarantee which gives you the option to switch to traditional metal braces or clear braces in the first six months if your teenager decides they don’t like their clear aligners. There may be a fee if your child fails to wear their aligners as prescribed.
Metal Braces
To straighten teeth, traditional metal braces use a combination of wires and brackets that are affixed directly to the teeth. Your teen’s orthodontist may prescribe elastic bands to add more force in moving the teeth or correcting the bite.
This option remains the most common type of braces and provides more comfort than in previous decades. The metal braces we offer for teens are made of high-grade stainless steel and straighten teeth using metal brackets and archwires.
Designed to be very durable, the brackets are made of stainless steel, nickel, and other metals and have small hooks where a wire is threaded. Other things that may be used over the course of a teen’s metal braces treatment are spaces and orthodontic bands.
Clear Braces
Very similar to metal braces, clear braces use tooth-colored ceramic brackets for a more discrete look. Popular with young adults, clear braces can barely be noticed in photographs.
The ceramic option is designed to blend well with your teen’s natural teeth. Made of nearly invisible, tooth-colored polycrystalline ceramic, clear braces for teens appear smaller, even though the brackets are about the same size and shape as traditional metal braces.
Clear braces offer a fantastic middle ground for teenagers who don’t want metal braces, are noncompliant to wearing an aligner, or don’t want the hassle of taking something on and off throughout the day.
Length of Treatment for Teen Braces
One of the first questions we get from patients is: “how long will I have to wear braces?” No one wants to have braces forever.
The duration of treatment for teenagers depends on many factors, including age and tooth maturity, how much teeth need to move, pre-existing dental issues, and more. Treatment processes for teen braces are just as unique as the young adults themselves. But in general, teenagers can expect to wear braces for around 1-2 years.
Following the doctor’s instructions related to elastic bands or other supplementary corrective measures can speed up the process and make treatment time shorter.
Cost of Braces for Teens
The cost of braces for teens varies from patient to patient and depends on the treatment plans and individual care needs. Our team will discuss the cost of your child’s treatment and explain all of the payment options available to you, including flexible payment plans. We will ensure you know exactly what to expect and feel comfortable before treatment begins.
At Triad Orthodontics, we are committed to providing the best quality orthodontic care to teens regardless of family income or insurance, and will work with you to create a payment plan that fits your budget. We accept most major credit cards and insurance plans, including Medicaid. Our experienced office staff will contact your insurance provider to make sure your coverage benefits are maximized.
Teen Braces Before and After
Check out some of our teen braces before and after pictures to see how we’ve helped teens get the smile of their dreams.
Contact our office today to schedule your teen’s free consultation and start their journey to a healthy, beautiful smile.
Teen Braces FAQs
How much does Invisalign® cost for teens?
The cost of Invisalign® for teens can vary on things like complexity of dental issues, geographic location, and the specific treatment plan. On average, the cost of Invisalign® for teens ranges from $3,000-$8,000 and higher.
How much do braces cost for teens with insurance?
The cost of braces for teens with insurance is largely dependent on the insurance plan, coverage details, and policy terms. Most dental insurance covers a portion of orthodontic treatment, including braces, but the amount covered and out-of-pocket expenses are based on the individual insurance policy.