The teenage years are when most orthodontic treatment happens, and for good reason: the permanent teeth are in, the jaws are still growing, and the timeline fits neatly between middle school and graduation. Dorfman Orthodontic Group treats Huntingdon Valley teens at our Southampton and Bensalem offices with metal braces and clear braces, planned by board certified orthodontist Dr. Jake Dorfman.
Teen Braces Explained
By roughly age twelve, most teens have lost their last baby teeth and have the full adult set in place, apart from wisdom teeth. That is the point at which a complete correction becomes possible: every tooth that needs to move is present and can be moved.
Teens at our practice choose between:
- Stainless steel brackets – the strongest and most affordable option, and the most popular by a wide margin
- Ceramic brackets – tooth-colored and noticeably less visible, chosen most often by teens who are self-conscious about photos
Elastics, and occasionally auxiliaries like a palatal expander or temporary anchorage, may be added to correct the bite rather than only the alignment of the teeth. If your teen is a strong candidate for aligners instead, we also offer Invisalign Treatment for Teens.
Why Braces Suit the Teen Years
Growth is still on your side
Remaining jaw growth lets us correct overbites and underbites that would be far harder to address once growth is complete. Waiting until the twenties narrows the options.
Nothing to remember
Aligners only work when they are worn twenty-two hours a day. Braces work regardless of what a busy fifteen-year-old remembers on a Tuesday morning. For many families that alone makes the decision.
Nothing to lose
Removable appliances disappear in cafeteria trash cans and gym bags. Fixed braces do not.
Compatible with sports and instruments
Teens on Lower Moreland teams play in braces every season with a properly fitted mouthguard. Brass and woodwind players adapt within a few weeks; we will show your teen wax techniques that speed that up.
Finishing before college
A treatment that starts in ninth or tenth grade is typically finished, retainers and all, before senior pictures and college move-in.
The Teen Braces Process at Dorfman Orthodontic Group
Consultation. Free, with digital records and a clear explanation of the problem, the plan, the timeline, and the fee. We talk to the teen directly, not just the parent, because compliance improves when they understand what is happening.
Placement. About an hour, no needles, no drilling. Soreness peaks the following day and fades within the week.
Adjustments. Every six to ten weeks. We check elastic wear honestly at each visit, since elastics are where teen treatment either stays on schedule or slips.
Removal and retention. Once the bite and alignment are correct, brackets come off and retainers go in immediately. We are direct with teens about the fact that retainers are what protects the two years of work they just finished.
What the First Six Months Look Like
The early part of treatment is where most teens form their opinion of it, so it helps to know the shape of it in advance.
Week one is the hardest: general soreness, awareness of the brackets, and a few cheek irritations while the tissue toughens up. Wax and soft food carry a teen through it, and by day five most have stopped mentioning it.
Months two through six are usually when visible change happens fastest. Crowded front teeth line up early because they are the lightest teeth to move, which is excellent for morale even though the bite work that follows takes longer.
This is also when the food rules get tested. Broken brackets cluster around the same handful of items: ice, bagels, hard pretzels, caramel, and popcorn kernels. A teen who learns that list in the first month usually gets through treatment with one or two repairs total.
Is Your Teen a Good Candidate?
Nearly every teen with crowding, spacing, or a bite problem is a candidate for braces. Where we pay closest attention is oral hygiene: braces make plaque harder to remove, and a teen who is not brushing well needs a plan and closer monitoring before and during treatment, not a lecture afterward.
Timing is the other factor. If several permanent teeth are still erupting, we may recommend waiting a few months rather than starting and stalling. Complimentary growth checks keep an eye on it at no cost.
Why Huntingdon Valley Teens Are Treated Here
- Board certified specialist. Dr. Dorfman completed his orthodontic residency and Master’s in Oral Biology at Temple and earned board certification in his first year of practice.
- He knows the area. A Council Rock South graduate who grew up in Richboro, treating families in the communities he came from.
- Short trip. Southampton and Bensalem are both close to Huntingdon Valley, so appointments do not consume an afternoon.
- Early and Saturday appointments. Weekdays from 7:30 a.m. and Saturday mornings, protecting class time.
- Clear pricing. Payment plans with 0% interest and no credit checks; see financial information.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teen Braces
How long do teens wear braces?
Twelve to twenty-four months is the usual range. Cases limited to mild crowding can finish faster; bite corrections requiring elastics generally run longer.
Braces or Invisalign for a teen?
It depends on the case and on the teen. Complex bites favor braces. Disciplined teens with straightforward crowding do very well with Invisalign Treatment for Teens. Dr. Dorfman gives you a recommendation, not a sales pitch.
Can my teen play football or basketball with braces?
Yes, with an orthodontic mouthguard. We will fit one over the braces before the season starts.
Will braces affect playing an instrument?
There is an adjustment period of a few weeks for brass and woodwind players. Wax over the brackets during practice makes it much easier.
What if a wire pokes the cheek?
Cover it with wax and call us. Most poking wires are fixed in a quick visit; our emergency care page explains temporary fixes.
How much do teen braces cost?
The fee depends on the complexity and length of treatment, which is why we quote it only after the exam. The consultation is free and you leave with the exact number and payment options in writing.
Schedule Your Teen’s Free Consultation
Find out what your teen needs and what it will take, at no cost. Call or text our Southampton team at (215) 910-4376, or reach our Bensalem office at (215) 935-4639. You can also contact us to book at the office that works better for your family.