What Parents Need to Know
Are you the parent of a teen who needs orthodontic treatment in Zionsville or Lebanon? Our team at Ashcraft & Wong Orthodontics helps families like yours turn troublesome teeth into bright, selfie-worthy smiles. In this guide, you’ll learn the key facts Dr. Wong wants parents to know, such as:
- When your teen(s) should start treatment
- How to spot the orthodontic warning signs
- Why today’s options make the process easier than ever
When Do Teens Usually Start Treatment?
Dr. Wong says that your teen should start orthodontic treatment between 11 and 14. By this point, their baby teeth have made way for almost all permanent teeth, yet their jawbones are still flexible and growing. That mix (mature teeth plus an adaptable jaw) lets braces or aligners move their teeth faster and more comfortably.
Early check-ups still matter: the American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first visit by age 7. That early look helps us spot problems in advance, even if treatment waits for the teen years. In Zionsville and Lebanon, many students start around sixth or seventh grade (right when those growth spurts kick in!). During these spurts, bones remodel quickly. Faster bone remodeling makes it easier for Dr. Wong to widen a narrow palate or correct an overbite.
Signs Your Teen Might Need Orthodontics
A few everyday clues can tell you it’s time to book that free consultation. Keep an eye on how your teen’s teeth look and listen for any complaints about chewing or jaw aches. Catching problems early means shorter, smoother treatment with our Ashcraft & Wong Orthodontics team.
Crowded or Spaced-Out Teeth
If teeth overlap or twist, food and plaque hide in places a toothbrush can’t reach, which leads to cavities and swollen gums. Crowding can also push some teeth forward while others drift back, creating an uneven smile that your teen may want to hide. On the flip side, wide gaps leave gums unprotected and make certain sounds (like “S” or “T”) hard to pronounce clearly. Both crowding and spacing get worse as growth spurts hit, so the earlier we guide teeth into line, the easier it is.
Bite Problems You Can See
Look at your teen’s profile or ask them to bite down naturally. Do the top teeth stick out far (overbite), or does their lower jaw jut forward (underbite)? Maybe the back teeth touch while the front ones don’t (open bite), or the top teeth sit inside the lower on one side (crossbite). These bite issues strain jaw joints, wear down enamel, and can even change the shape of their face over time. Left alone, they might lead to TMJ pain or speech challenges. Correcting bites during the teen years often prevents costly jaw surgery later and lets your teen chew comfortably on both sides.
Symptoms Your Teen Feels
Jaw soreness, frequent headaches, or clicking sounds when opening wide all hint at misalignment beneath the surface. Teens who bite their cheeks or tongue a lot may have crowded arches that push soft tissue into harm’s way. Mouth breathing at night or trouble pronouncing certain words can also signal narrow arches or a crossbite. If your teen avoids chewy foods or says their teeth “don’t fit right,” trust their instincts—they’re noticing a problem you can’t always see. At Ashcraft & Wong Orthodontics, we use painless digital scans to pinpoint the cause and map out a fix.
Treatment Options at Ashcraft & Wong Orthodontics
Every teen smiles, speaks, and snacks a little differently, so we offer three proven ways to straighten teeth at our Zionsville and Lebanon offices.
Metal Braces
Today’s stainless-steel braces are smaller, smoother, and faster than the ones you may remember. Each tooth gets a low-profile bracket linked by a flexible wire that gets tightened at routine visits. Teens love swapping out colored bands to match school spirit or holiday vibes, and metal braces tackle everything from severe crowding to complex bite problems.
Because they’re fixed in place, there’s no forgetting to put them back in after lunch, which keeps treatment moving right on schedule. Pair them with a custom mouthguard for sports, and your athlete is game-ready without worry.
Ceramic (Clear) Braces
Ceramic braces work the same way as metal but use tooth-colored or clear brackets that blend in with enamel. From a short distance, most of your teen’s friends won’t notice them. They’re also strong enough for moderate to advanced bite corrections, and Dr. Wong charges no extra fee for going clear. We simply remind patients to skip stain-prone foods to keep brackets crystal clear. With careful brushing and routine check-ups, ceramic braces offer a discreet road to a confident grin.
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners might be the answer if your teen prefers a bracket-free look. These smooth, plastic trays slip over teeth and are nearly invisible in photos and face-to-face chats. Aligners come in sets—each one worn 20–22 hours a day—that move your teen’s teeth week by week. Because the aligners can come out for meals and brushing, your child can still floss with ease and enjoy popcorn at the movies (just remember to brush before trays go back in!). Built-in compliance indicators show parents and doctors how often the trays are worn, helping everyone stay accountable.
How Parents Can Support Their Teen
Parents in Zionsville and Lebanon play a big role in keeping treatment on track. Encourage your teen by celebrating small wins (like finishing a set of aligners or getting their wire changed). Stock the pantry with braces-friendly snacks, and remind them to brush after meals so spots don’t form around brackets. A quick check before bedtime helps to make sure elastics or aligners are in place for the right amount of time. If soreness shows up after adjustments, offer soft foods and over-the-counter pain relief. Most of all, keep regular appointments with Dr. Wong. To get started at Ashcraft & Wong Orthodontics, go here to schedule your free consultation.