Orthodontics for Teens | Braces Sacramento

Invest in Your Teen

In Sacramento, orthodontic treatment is the most common during the teenage years. If your teen is struggling with crooked or crowded teeth, they can also have a harder time maintaining oral hygiene.

At Szymanowski Orthodontics, braces or Invisalign can help them get the straighter, healthier smile they deserve!

All About Teen Orthodontics

This is a great age range for experienced orthodontists like Dr. Damon Szymanowski to easily recognize spacing issues, crowding, and bite and alignment problems.

For most kids in Sacramento, all of their baby teeth are gone by age 13, and by high school, the jaw has hardened and stopped growing.

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

Choose Your Look

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

Here at Szymanowski Orthodontics, we offer:

Metal Braces

Braces have come a very long way at Szymanowski Orthodontics, even within the past decade. When many people in Sacramento think of braces, they think of extremely bulky metal brackets.

The good news is that we don't use this type of bulky orthodontic appliance. Many of the new braces we offer at Szymanowski Orthodontics 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, so they’re much less obvious. Since ceramic braces may break slightly easier and are a little more expensive than metal braces, Dr. Damon Szymanowski may not recommend them for everyone.

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, the aligners 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 your teen wears the aligners for the 20-22 hours per day recommended by Dr. Damon Szymanowski, their 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 severe correction.

Benefits of a Straight Smile

Straight teeth that respond well to orthodontic treatment have many benefits, including:

Less prone to wear and tear, chipping, and tooth trauma
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

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:

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

Watch for Orthodontic Issues

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 Dr. Szymanowski, since they could be signs your teen may benefit from orthodontic treatment.

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

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. Damon Szymanowski feels necessary based on their individual case. In many cases, Dr. Damon will recommend wearing a retainer at night indefinitely.

At Szymanowski Orthodontics, we work as a team with both you and your teenager to create a smile that will last them a lifetime.

Will braces interfere with playing sports?

No! Dr. Damon Szymanowski recommends, however, that his patients protect their smiles by wearing a mouthguard when participating in any sporting activity.

If your teen athlete is wearing traditional braces, it’s crucial to protect their smile to stay on track with their treatment.

Mouthguards are inexpensive, comfortable, and come in a variety of colors and patterns.

If your Sacramento teen wears Invisalign, they can take their aligner out before practice or a game and put it back in afterward. Dr. Damon Szymanowski still recommends that our Invisalign patients wear a protective mouthguard.

Will braces interfere with playing musical instruments?

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. Damon Szymanowski will be happy to discuss the benefits of treatment with both of you, as well as any of the risks of putting off or skipping treatment.

Although adults can finish braces or Invisalign treatment at Szymanowski Orthodontics, a teen’s jaws and teeth can respond quicker to orthodontics, shortening their total treatment time.