It was not that long ago that teenage patients had only one choice when it came to straightening their teeth:metal brackets and wires. Ceramic brackets were the next evolution in esthetic orthodontic treatment options. Although less noticeable, these appliances still are visible when our patients smile.While they’re reliable, and often still themost appropriate choice, these traditional orthodontic appliances have the inherent drawbacks of appearance, impaired hygiene, and a period of adjustment.

Today,more andmore teen patients and their parents are seeking less visible, more esthetic treatment options. One of the newest of these that orthodontists now have for our young patients is Invisalign Teen. This product was launched by the Santa Clara, California-based Align Technology, the maker of Invisalign. Invisalign is a computer-generated set of clear, nearly invisible, removable appliances (also called aligners) that guide teeth into the desired final position.

We all would like to have straight, beautiful smiles, but for some of us, the thought of wearing visible braces is enough to keep us from seeking treatment. Until recently, aesthetic orthodontic options were limited to clear ceramic braces and the Invisalign ® aligner system. Although these represent good treatment options, each carries its own inherent limitations.

The iBraces™ Appliance System is a revolutionary orthodontic braces system that has been introduced to meet the cosmetic needs of patients and the technical needs of orthodontists. This technology was born out of the demand for aesthetic orthodontic treatment by adults and adolescent patients who want the health and personal appearance benefits of straight teeth without wearing traditional metal braces. iBraces Appliances are the only 100% customized lingual (behind the teeth) braces for aesthetic orthodontic treatment available in the US market. This new and exciting method for straightening teeth is placed behind the teeth and is an excellent alternative for patients who want to straighten their teeth but do not want braces to show.

What we believe about our looks plays an important part in the way we feel about ourselves.Many of us continually strive to improve the image we present both to others and to ourselves as well. In feeling good about how we look, we increase our self-confidence and our belief in ourselves. To this end, many of us belong to gyms, have regular beauty treatments, dress to impress…and who among us has not undergone at least one cosmetic, dental, or medical enhancement? When we look back, many of us realize it was a set of braces during our adolescent years that was the first step taken to improve our self image.

It’s hardly surprising that orthodontic treatment can influence the way in which we view ourselves during those impressionable pre-teen and teen years. The effect of braces on our self-esteem often varies, based upon the age at which we undergo orthodontic treatment as well as our underlying malocclusion. (Malocclusion, which literally translates to “bad bite,” refers to the misalignment of the teeth and/or jaws.) If the overbite or other problemfor which a person is being treated is pronounced, braces can be a welcome relief.

Close your eyes and picture someone wearing braces. If you're like most of us, you've envisioned an adolescent boy or girl with orthodontics being an integral part of those awkward preteen years. It's true that wearing braces has become somewhat of a rite of passage for our young people. However, as a parent it's important to know that not all orthodontic treatment occurs only during those preteen years. In fact, there are certain malocclusions ("bad bites") that are more appropriate to treat at an earlier age. Waiting until all the permanent teeth come in and facial and skeletal growth is complete, may make resolution of some problems difficult.