At Najem & Lehky Orthodontics, we're passionate about helping kids, teens and adults improve their smiles! We proudly offer the communities of Akron, Fairlawn, Cortland & Warren OH (and all of Western Cuyahoga County) state-of-the-art orthodontic care. We're committed to providing personalized care catered to our patients individual needs, and we welcome you with open arms to our practice as we can meet all your family's orthodontic needs.
Many of our patients, especially those with braces, are adolescents, around ages 11-15. Early treatment and screenings are usually done when the child is much younger, but the real work begins during the teenage years. Below you'll learn more about why adolescence is one of the best times to start the journey to a beautiful smile!
Why Adolescence Is A Great Time for Orthodontic Treatment
Between the ages of 11 and 13, the primary teeth have all been lost and the permanent teeth have mostly come in. This is when an orthodontist can correct any problems that may be causing a malocclusion or "bad bite," spaces between teeth or poorly aligned teeth. Another reason adolescence is an optimal time for start treatment is because adolescence is a period of rapid growth and develop. Our appliances work in tandem with elevated metabolism levels and growth spurts to minimize treatment times. During adulthood, the bones of the face and jaw are fully developed, which makes intervention much more difficult, painful, and costly for the patient.
There is also a social advantage associated with adolescent treatment, because many of your teen's friends, classmates and acquaintances are also wearing braces. Teens enjoy fitting in with those around them, and braces create a fun shared experience for middle school kids.
Treatment Options for Teens
At our practice, we offer several types of braces to ensure we can meet each patient's individual orthodontic needs along with their personal preferences.
- Conventional Metal Braces: The metal braces we use are smaller, more comfortable and more attractive than the metal braces used in the past. These braces are the most common type and a very popular choice among teens.
- Incognito Braces: Considered the new generation of braces, Incognito "hidden" braces are 100% customized to your teen's teeth. These braces are attractive, comfortable and very effective at moving teeth. These braces are cast in gold instead of stainless steel and are placed on the backside of the teeth for very discreet treatment.
- Invisalign: Invisalign consists of a series of custom-made, clear, plastic aligner trays which are removable. When you're wearing Invisalign, most people won't even notice they're on your teeth as they are nearly invisible. Teens love Invisalign because they can continue enjoying all their favorite foods while they're discreetly improving their smiles. And cleaning the teeth is very easy as the aligners are designed to be taken out when brushing & flossing and then just popped back in when done.
- Clarity Braces: Clarity Advanced ceramic braces are another discreet type of braces teens enjoy as the clear brackets are barely visible. These braces are also comfortable and very efficient at moving teeth into the desired positions.
- 3M Mini Twin Braces: 3M Mini Twin metal braces feature brackets which have mesh bonding bases, that allow them to curve, so they conform to the shape of the teeth. These brackets require fewer archwires than standard brackets for increased comfort. They're also 30% smaller than standard metal braces, making them an attractive way to get a million dollar smile!
Tips for Minimizing Treatment Time
To make sure your treatment stays on track and does not get extended, it's important to follow all the directions we give you about wearing braces, which includes what to eat (and not eat) and proper appliance care. It's very important to do an excellent job of brushing & flossing your teeth during treatment so a common dental problem like cavities doesn't throw your treatment off track. And be sure to come to all the appointments we schedule for you as these appointments are a key aspect to making sure your treatment goes along as planned.
Contact Your Akron & Warren, OH Orthodontist
If you have any questions about adolescent treatment, our practice or the types of braces we use, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're always happy to speak with you and to answer all your questions! We take great pride in the high standard of patient care we hold ourselves to. We want all our patients to be comfortable, well-informed and pleased with the services we provide while they're improving their smiles! We look forward to hearing from you soon!