Starting orthodontic treatment with braces or Invisalign® for the first time is undeniably an adjustment! The reward of a stunning new smile far outweighs the adjustment period of orthodontic treatment, but that doesn’t mean your teen won’t feel a little nervous at first.
If your teen has some concerns about treatment, this is completely normal, and your team at Fellow Orthodontist is here to help.
Here are 6 tips to help your teen feel confident as you get ready to transform your smile:
How to prepare for braces or Invisalign
1.Start with an open and honest conversation!
Communication is key. When you and your teen visit us, we’ll do our part to help resolve any preconceptions about braces, Invisalign or orthodontic treatment, but it’s helpful for you to start the conversation at home too!
Explain why your teen needs orthodontics and how it’ll benefit them – in terms of their health and self-esteem. Let them know that orthodontic treatment is common, and plenty of people they know will undergo orthodontics in the future or have already gone through it.
From our experience, teens who feel in-the-know and in-the-loop about the decision to start treatment tend to feel more comfortable with the process!
Plus, with our unique, digital approach, we combine virtual care with personalized in-office care to reduce office visits by 60%. You and your teen won’t have to spend much time away from school, work and your personal lives.
If you and your teen feel more comfortable meeting us virtually first with a consultation from home, we’re more than happy to do that!
2.Check out the cool treatment options your teen has with Fellow Orthodontist.
Orthodontic treatment isn’t exclusive to traditional braces anymore! It’s important to us that we provide treatment options for all lifestyles and preferences.
If your teen likes the look of braces, they can choose from:
- Iconix® champagne-gold braces for teens
- Patients of all ages love these aesthetic braces!
- Ceramic, clear braces for teens
- Traditional metal braces for teens
Would your teen prefer an invisible treatment option? We have those too! Choose from:
- BRIUS® truly-invisible braces for teens
- These braces are attached to the hidden, back surfaces of your teeth. Nobody will see them when you smile, and they work up to 50% faster than traditional braces!
- Invisalign® for teens
- Invisalign clear aligners are virtually-invisible, removable, and custom-designed just for your teen. For teens who prefer a more convenient alternative to traditional braces, Invisalign is an ideal choice.
3.Help prepare them for their first visit.
If your teen is anxious about what to expect when you visit us, use our website as a resource to prepare them for the experience. Head over to our “Getting Started” page to find out what you and your child can expect during your consultation at our orthodontist office in Union Square, Manhattan.
You can learn about the process in detail on that page, but here’s a quick summary to familiarize you:
- First, we’ll welcome you and your teen with smiling faces! We’ll acquaint you with our team and office to ensure that you’re both comfortable.
- Once we’re ready to begin the orthodontic exam, Dr. Lin (your friendly, board-certified, family orthodontist) will assess your little one’s smile.
- After gathering all of the necessary smile data, Dr. Lin will present our treatment options and design a personalized treatment plan for your child! It’s that easy!
4.Talk about the coolness factor in orthodontic treatment!
Orthodontic treatment is cool!! Many of your teen’s favorite celebrities, actors, actresses and influencers have worn braces or clear aligners to achieve their movie-star smiles. They wore their treatments proudly and publicly!
Justin Bieber, Zac Efron, Miley Cyrus, Khloe Kardashian, Zendaya and Billie Eilish all went through orthodontic treatment! If your child knows that someone he or she looks up to has gone through the same process and come out successfully on the other side, this may give them the confidence and motivation they need to start their own journey too.
If you’ve gone through orthodontic treatment, talk about your experience with them too!
5.Address the misconceptions.
There are a few misconceptions about getting braces for teens or starting treatment with Invisalign, and these may be hindering your child from feeling the true excitement of transforming his or her smile. Let’s address them!
“Does it hurt to get braces?” We hope your child will be relieved to know that getting braces at any age does not hurt. The process of placing braces simply involves a bit of dental glue, a tool to hold the cheeks and lips back while placing the brackets, and a wire threaded through the brackets. No part of this process is painful. There will be some minor soreness as their teeth adjust, but a little Tylenol® goes a long way.
“Can I still eat snacks with braces or clear Invisalign?” Yes! While your child’s diet will require a few minor changes with braces, Invisalign doesn’t require any dietary changes. If your teen is a foodie who likes to spend their free time eating at new places in Manhattan, you may want to consider Invisalign for a smoother transition!
6.Show them photos of the beautiful new smile they can experience.
We can help with that! Our “Success Stories” page features photos of the stunning new smiles Dr. Lin has created over the years. Scroll through our Instagram for photos of patients of all ages rocking their new smiles and new-found confidence.
Keeping the end result in mind can help inspire your teen, show them what’s possible, and ease any hesitations associated with getting started.
Help your teen smile confidently for a lifetime.
Orthodontic treatment is a life-changing experience. We’ll be here to guide you and your teen every step of the way.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions! Dr. Lin and our friendly team at Fellow Orthodontist have the experience and expertise necessary to help your child feel comfortable as they transition into treatment and work toward a beautiful new smile.
Ready to schedule your child’s first orthodontic exam with our highly-experienced children’s orthodontist? Book your consultation with our orthodontist for teens in Union Square, Manhattan.
