Teen orthodontics in Broomfield, CO

By adolescence, many or all of the permanent teeth have erupted, making it possible to evaluate and treat the overall alignment and bite more comprehensively. At the same time, some facial and jaw growth may remain. The amount and timing of growth vary from one teen to another, so treatment decisions should be based on development rather than age alone.

This stage may provide an opportunity to guide erupting teeth, coordinate the arches, correct bite relationships, create or manage space, and improve alignment before a teen reaches adulthood.

Not every teenager needs treatment at the same age. Some are ready earlier, while others benefit from additional observation as teeth erupt or growth continues. A personalized evaluation helps determine when treatment is likely to be most useful and efficient.

An orthodontic evaluation may be helpful if you or your teen have noticed:

• Crowded, overlapping, or rotated teeth
• Spaces between teeth
• An overbite, underbite, crossbite, or open bite
• Upper and lower teeth that do not fit together comfortably
• Permanent teeth that appear delayed, blocked, or out of position
• Difficulty biting or chewing certain foods
• Teeth that are wearing unevenly or are at greater risk of injury
• A smile concern that affects your teen's comfort or confidence

A teen does not need to have every item on this list to benefit from an evaluation. Sometimes the concern is obvious, and sometimes the most important information comes from the bite, eruption pattern, or diagnostic records.

Depending on the diagnosis, comprehensive teen treatment may address tooth alignment, spacing, crowding, bite relationships, eruption problems, and the coordination of the upper and lower dental arches.

Treatment goals may include:

• Aligning crowded or rotated teeth
• Closing or managing spaces
• Correcting crossbites and improving arch coordination
• Improving excessive overbite, overjet, underbite, or open bite
• Guiding teeth that are erupting outside the expected path
• Creating space for blocked or impacted teeth when appropriate
• Improving how the teeth meet for biting and chewing
• Positioning teeth to support long-term dental health and stability

The exact goals are different for every patient. Before treatment begins, we explain what we are treating, which changes are expected, and whether any part of the problem may be limited by growth, anatomy, or the severity of the underlying jaw relationship.

Both braces and clear aligners can be effective for teenagers. The best choice depends on the movements required, the complexity of the bite, the teen's preferences, and how consistently the appliance can be used.

A teen's preference matters because engagement can make treatment easier to manage. At the same time, not every appliance is equally well suited to every orthodontic problem. Dr. Sharp will explain which options can accomplish the treatment goals and what each choice would require from the patient.

It is normal for a teenager to have questions about appearance, discomfort, school, sports, eating, or the responsibility involved in treatment. Those concerns deserve a direct and respectful conversation.

We want teens to understand their diagnosis and have a voice in decisions when more than one appropriate option is available. We also explain the responsibilities that come with treatment, including oral hygiene, appliance care, aligner or elastic wear, and keeping appointments.

Treatment works best when the orthodontist, teen, and parent understand the same goals and can work as a team. A consultation can be useful even if your family is not ready to make an immediate decision.

Treatment time depends on the starting problem and the changes needed. A limited alignment concern may require less time than a complex bite correction, impacted tooth, significant spacing problem, or skeletal discrepancy.

Timing can also be affected by growth, tooth eruption, biological response, broken appliances, missed appointments, oral health, and how consistently aligners or elastics are worn when prescribed.

After evaluating your teen's teeth, bite, growth, and diagnostic records, we can provide an individualized estimate and explain which factors are most likely to influence the timeline.

In most cases, teens can continue participating in sports and playing musical instruments during orthodontic treatment.

For contact or collision sports, an orthodontic mouthguard can help protect the teeth, lips, cheeks, and appliance. Because teeth move during treatment, the mouthguard needs enough room to accommodate those changes and may need to be replaced as treatment progresses.

Musicians who play wind or brass instruments may need a short adjustment period after braces are placed or adjusted. If sports, music, performance, or another activity is especially important to your teen, tell us during the consultation so it can be considered when discussing appliance options and timing.

Healthy teeth and gums are essential throughout orthodontic treatment. Brackets, wires, attachments, and other appliances create additional areas where plaque and food can collect, so brushing and flossing require extra attention.

Teens should continue routine dental visits and cleanings with their general dentist during orthodontic treatment. Additional preventive care may be recommended based on cavity risk, gum health, and oral hygiene.

If oral hygiene becomes a concern, we address it early and work with the teen and parent on practical ways to improve. In some situations, active tooth movement may need to be slowed or paused until the teeth and gums are healthy enough to proceed safely.

Orthodontic treatment is a shared effort, but each person has a different role.

The orthodontic team plans and monitors treatment, explains changes, maintains the appliances, and responds when the plan needs to be adjusted.

The teen keeps the teeth and appliance clean, wears aligners or elastics as directed, follows appliance precautions, and communicates problems.

The parent or caregiver helps with scheduling, transportation, encouragement, and noticing when the teen may need additional support.

Our goal is not perfection at every appointment. It is honest communication and steady teamwork so small problems can be addressed before they interfere with treatment.

Phase I treatment and comprehensive teen treatment have different purposes. Early treatment is designed to address a specific problem during growth or dental development. It does not necessarily align every permanent tooth or complete the final bite.

As the remaining permanent teeth erupt and the face continues to develop, we reassess the bite and determine whether a second phase of treatment would provide additional benefit. The early result, remaining growth, tooth eruption, and current goals all become part of the new treatment plan.

Some children who had Phase I treatment later need comprehensive braces or aligners, while others may need more limited treatment. We explain what the first phase accomplished and what, if anything, remains to be addressed.

When active treatment is complete, retainers help maintain the new tooth positions while the surrounding tissues adapt. Teeth can continue to shift over time, so retention is an ongoing part of protecting the result.

We select the retainer type based on the treatment result and the individual patient. Before treatment ends, we explain how the retainers should be worn, cleaned, stored, and replaced if they are lost, damaged, or no longer fit properly.

A teen consultation begins with listening. We want to understand what the parent has noticed, what matters to the teen, any previous orthodontic care, and any concerns about comfort, appearance, timing, or responsibility.

Dr. Sharp then evaluates the teeth, bite, dental development, facial relationships, and supporting structures. Appropriate diagnostic records help clarify the position of the teeth, roots, and jaws and support a complete diagnosis.

We then discuss:

• What we see and why it matters
• Whether treatment is recommended now or observation would be appropriate
• The goals and limitations of treatment
• Braces, clear aligners, or other suitable treatment options
• The expected timeline and patient responsibilities
• Questions from both the teen and parent

Your family does not need to arrive knowing which appliance to choose. The consultation is a place to understand the diagnosis, compare appropriate options, and decide what feels right.

Teen treatment should be both clinically thoughtful and personally manageable. Dr. Sharp looks beyond the visible crowding to understand the bite, growth pattern, eruption, facial balance, supporting bone, and long-term dental goals.

We also recognize that the teenager is the patient. We explain the treatment in clear language, invite questions, and include the teen in decisions whenever possible. Parents remain essential partners, especially when treatment requires support with appointments, hygiene, appliance wear, or difficult choices.

The goal is a healthy, functional, confident result supported by a treatment plan your family understands.