Orthodontics for Teens | Braces South Miami

Teen Orthodontics in South Miami

Experienced orthodontists like Dr. Ross and Dr. Rothenberg will also be able to easily recognize issues with spacing, crowding, bite, and alignment because they’re experts in orthodontics for teens.

Your teen’s bone and jaw structure are formed enough to allow orthodontic treatment to begin at our South Miami office.

Some South Miami teens may have even started Phase I treatment at an earlier age at Orthodontics of South Miami, and are now following it up with full braces or other orthodontic treatment.

Signs Your Teen Needs Treatment

For teenagers around South Miami, Pinecrest and Kendall, untreated dental problems can create 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 Dr. Ross and Dr. Rothenberg. They could be signs your teen may benefit from orthodontic treatment at South Miami Orthodontics.

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

Bite Problems

Diagnosing and successfully treating certain bite problems can have short-term and long-term benefits for teens around South Miami, Pinecrest and Kendall. Problems classified as “bad bites” can often be minimized by Dr. Ross 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 at Orthodontics of South Miami can give your teen a lot of 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

The Treatment Process

While creating a customized treatment plan for your teen, Dr. Ross might recommend an orthodontic appliance.

Here at South Miami Orthodontics, we offer:

Metal Braces

Braces have come a very long way, even within the past decade. When many people around South Miami, Pinecrest and Kendall 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 breakage, and a little costlier than metal braces, they may not be suitable for everyone at South Miami, Pinecrest and Kendall.

Invisalign

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.

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

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 Dr. Ross or Dr. Rothenberg feels necessary based on their individual case. In many cases, your doctor will recommend wearing a retainer at night indefinitely.

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.

Dr. Ross strongly recommends using an orthodontic mouthguard to protect their braces, and their mouth, from any potential injury.

Your teen can play any contact sport around South Miami, Pinecrest and Kendall 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. We still recommend that Invisalign patients wear a protective mouthguard.

Does orthodontics interfere with playing an instrument in the band?

Make an Investment in Your Teen’s Smile Today

Orthodontic treatment is an investment in your child’s future. By scheduling a free consultation, Dr. Ross or Dr. Rothenberg will be happy to discuss the benefits of treatment with both of you, as well as any of the risks with putting off or skipping treatment.

Although adults can also complete orthodontic treatment at Orthodontics of South Miami, a teen’s jaws and teeth can respond quicker to orthodontic treatment, shortening their total treatment time.