Cosmetic Dentistry for Teens
What you need to know about the top cosmetic dental procedures for teenagers.
The teenage years have the potential to be very awkward. Having a less than perfect smile can potentially make matters worse. Whether others really do notice a teen’s imperfect teeth, or the teen only thinks that they do, self-confidence can really suffer. Fortunately, there are many cosmetic dentistry options for teens that can improve the beauty of their teeth and prepare them for a lifetime of smiling with confidence.
Orthodontics
The teen years are a prime time for orthodontic work. In the past, this meant going through high school with a mouth full of metal, which was hard on already self-conscious teens. But thanks to new technology, specifically Invisalign Teen, crooked teeth can often be corrected with virtually invisible aligner trays. One potential downside of Invisalign is that because the trays are removable, they may get lost. If your teen is absent-minded, you may prefer traditional braces that can’t be lost.
White Fillings
White composite fillings provide treatment for cavities in a way that supports the overall look of a person’s smile. They can be shaded and shaped to match the natural tooth so you can hardly even tell there was a cavity there in the first place. White fillings provide an excellent cosmetic treatment for teens, but it is important to note that teens need to commit to good oral hygiene at home in order to keep white fillings looking their best. Without adequate brushing, it is possible for white fillings to stain around the edges, or even for tooth decay to begin around or under the filling. Obviously this will mar the look of the filling as well as undermine its integrity.
Veneers
Veneers can be helpful for correcting a multitude of aesthetic problems with teeth, such as gaps, worn edges, oddly sized teeth, or slight misalignments. For teens, the most common reason to get veneers is to fix teeth that have been chipped or broken in an accident, such as a sports accident or a fall.
Whitening
Unfortunately, some teenagers may develop serious staining on their teeth due to bad habits like drinking dark sodas and energy drinks or even smoking. This can make their teeth seem much older than their years. While teens of any age can use whitening toothpaste to polish away surface stains, it is not advisable to use any whitening product containing peroxide or other bleaching agents before their teeth have matured. You may consider professional teeth whitening for your teen when they turn 16, but be sure to ask your dentist first to be sure it will not harm their teeth.
Extractions
Extractions do not usually fall into the category of a cosmetic dental treatment. However, we mention them here because extractions (especially wisdom teeth extractions) are often necessary to keep a teen’s smile straight and beautiful. Even if the wisdom teeth have not yet erupted and are not actively causing any crowding of other teeth in the mouth, the potential future cost of an extraction should be considered when getting braces or veneers for your teen.
