Los Angeles Orthodontist - Dental Braces
Los Angeles Orthodontic Offices
Beverly Hills: (310) 278-9101
Encino: (818) 386-9595

 

Braces for Teenagers

Why Get Braces?
What Types of Braces are Available?
How Long Does It Take?
Do Braces Hurt and How Do I Take Care of Them?

Getting braces as a teenager is so common these days that it can be viewed as a rite of passage. Investing in your smile is no doubt an expensive and lengthy process but you can't underestimate the value of having a perfect smile for the rest of your life. Dr Molayem has been successfully creating smiles in Los Angeles for over 25 years now and we are happy to answer any questions you might have.


Why Get Braces?
Your teenage years are the best years to get braces because your permanent teeth have just come in and the surrounding bones are the most flexible.

Braces for Teenagers
Even though one of the goals of getting braces is to straighten your teeth, there are many other issues that your orthodontist can analyze and treat which will maximize the health and longevity of your smile. Some of these problems include fixing a deep overbite or underbite. Having a bad bite makes you vulnerable to wearing down your teeth. Straightening your teeth with braces also makes it easier to clean your teeth so that you don't develop pockets, which harbor plaque and bacteria.

Whatever your dental problem may be now, it's important to talk to the orthodontist about your goals for treatment so that you can achieve the best results in the shortest time possible.

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What Types of Braces are Available?
Traditional metal brackets are still believed to be the gold standard of care by orthodontists; they are the most effective in treating malocclusion (a bad bite) and malalignment (crooked teeth). They are bonded onto the teeth and an archwire is held in using little bands that come in many colors. You can choose which colors you want each time you come in for an adjustment. Over the years these metal brackets have become smaller and less noticeable but there are still many other options available. Clear or ceramic brackets are available but Invisalign is the ultimate choice in aesthetic treatment.

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How Long Does It Take?
Orthodontic treatment usually takes between 12 and 36 months. Though it takes an experienced orthodontist like Dr. Molayem much less time to actually straighten the teeth, the bulk of the time is spent holding the teeth in place (teeth must be held in a stable position to allow the bone to solidify its position).

The first appointment, in which brackets are bonded to the tooth, will take about an hour. Check-up appointments are set approximately every 4 weeks to adjust the wire. When the teeth are finally straight and the braces are ready to come off, Dr Molayem gives the patient a clear retainer, which looks much like an Invisalign tray, to wear in the following months. Follow-up appointments usually last no more than 20-30 minutes.
Braces - Orthodontic Treatment

However, frequently missing these appointments delay the treatment time. Dr. Molayem is happy to work around events, such as a bar/bat mitzvah, by removing the braces and giving you clear retainers to use until the braces are replaced.

Some dentists might claim that they can complete the treatment in shorter time. Be aware that this can be dangerous. Moving teeth too fast will cause trama to the roots of the teeth, which can cause them to shorten and, therefore, make the tooth less stable in the jaw. Also taking braces off too early can lead to a relapse.

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Do Braces Hurt and How Do I Take Care of Them?
Having your braces adjusted can cause some discomfort. You might find it difficult to bite into anything tough. The soreness will usually subside in 2-3 days. If you find that the metal brackets are scraping against your cheeks and lips, you can use some orthodontic wax to protect the surface of your teeth.

Proper care of your teeth during orthodontic treatment is vital. Dr. Molayem offers his patients special electronic toothbrushes and floss designed to help you take care of your teeth while you have braces. If your gums become red and swollen or you have problems keeping your teeth free of plaque and food particles, the orthodontist may recommend a cleaning in between treatment.

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Los Angeles orthodontist providing a variety of orthodontic braces: Invisalign, Clear Braces & Damon Brackets
Two offices throughout Los Angeles to serve all your orthodontic needs: Beverly Hills and Encino
9675 Brighton Way, Suite 210, Beverly Hills, California 90210, (310) 278-9101
16101 Ventura Blvd., Suite 305, Encino, California 91436, (818) 386-9595

We additionally cater to the following cities in close proximity to our offices:
Brentwood, Century City, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, Studio City
Tarzana, Van Nuys, West Hollywood, West L.A., Woodland Hills

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