Adolescent Treatment

For many children the ideal time for braces is during the adolescent and early teen years (11-13 years). Usually, all or most permanent teeth are erupted and patients are at one of their most active phases of growth. This is a great time to correct most problems, as the jaws are actively growing and their growth can be most easily modified during this time.

Braces can usually be completed in one comprehensive phase from 12-18 months instead of the early two-phase treatment approach that is recommended for the more significant problems.

After the removal of braces, retainers would be fitted and placed to maintain the orthodontic corrections as the bone is allowed to reorganize to stabilize the results. Teeth have the potential to shift throughout life therefore, long term retention is necessary to prevent undesirable shifting associated with the normal ageing process.