How Can Teens Benefit from Cosmetic Dentistry?

Right on the cusp of adulthood, your teenager can try to take larger steps than they should at their age. They may think they are ready for heavy, life-changing decisions, but they might not be mature enough to handle them yet; your teen has more growth ahead.

A teenager’s body and brain are often not fully developed until mid-20s, which means they aren’t eligible for certain optional procedures until they reach at least 18. However, if yours is concerned about how their teeth look before this age, they may still have some aesthetic treatment options available to them. In other words, teens can still benefit from cosmetic dentistry!

What Cosmetic Dental Treatments Can Teens Get?

If you bring your young teenager in for cosmetic changes, your dentist may recommend one of the following:

• Traditional braces or Invisalign to straighten teeth or close gaps.
• Cosmetic bonding to fill in chips, cover discoloration or superficial cracks, or correct misshapen teeth.
• Teeth whitening to brighten the color of enamel.

These safe treatments can be performed on teenagers based on their needs and goals. You’ll notice that veneers and metal-free restorations do not appear on this list. Dental implants and other treatments are also not options during this stage of life.

Why Do Teens Have to Wait for Certain Cosmetic Dental Work?

Veneers, as well as other more invasive treatments like dental implants, involve making irreversible changes to teeth and the oral cavity. Although you, as their parent or guardian, can approve certain procedures, permanent, life-altering decisions are best left to the patient on their own, and they may still be growing. As a result, your teenager needs to reach a point developmentally when they can make a confident decision about their care.

Once your teenager reaches 18, they can make choices in terms of more drastic cosmetic enhancements. Fortunately, more temporary treatments can help your teenager in the meantime, giving them confidence and hope during a tricky time in life.

Although most teenagers want to be treated exactly like adults, they aren’t quite there yet for all cosmetic dentistry. Unlike a tattoo or piercing, some cosmetic procedures can’t be undone or changed later, but your teenager can still enjoy their smile with teeth whitening, bonding, or orthodontic treatments as they finish growing and figure out who they are and what they want out of life.

About the Practice

Applegate Dental is a family-friendly practice, welcoming patients of all ages. Although we don’t lecture our patients, we take the time to get to know each patient and explain treatments in clear language. We can guide your teenager to the best option for correcting their imperfect teeth that is safe and beneficial. Our highly trained dentists and staff have years of experience, are patient, and love to see satisfied looks on patients’ faces. To schedule a cosmetic consultation for your teen, call our West Seneca office at 716-668-4646 or reach out online.