{"id":6817,"date":"2025-12-03T14:56:33","date_gmt":"2025-12-03T14:56:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/orallagos.pt\/orthodontics-is-adolescence-the-best-and-only-time\/"},"modified":"2025-12-09T04:16:45","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T04:16:45","slug":"orthodontics-is-adolescence-the-best-and-only-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/orallagos.pt\/en\/orthodontics-is-adolescence-the-best-and-only-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Orthodontics: is adolescence the best and only time?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Article written by: Dr. Carmen Lorente <\/a><\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tIs adolescence the best and only time to undergo orthodontic treatment?\t\t\n\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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For decades, orthodontics has been associated mainly with adolescence. That stage of life when, in addition to physical and emotional changes, teeth are often the center of attention. <\/p>

But is adolescence really the best and only time to correct dental problems?<\/strong><\/p>

The answer is more complex than it seems and reflects the evolution of orthodontics over time.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\tAdolescence: an ideal but not exclusive time\t\t\n\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Adolescence, generally between the ages of 12 and 18<\/strong>, is considered the ideal time for orthodontic treatment<\/a>, both for biological and practical reasons.<\/p>

During this phase, the jawbones are still developing, which facilitates the correction of skeletal and dental problems<\/strong>. Malocclusions such as crowding, overbites (Class II), or open bites are easier to treat while the bone structures are actively growing.<\/p>

In addition, adolescence usually marks the completion of permanent tooth eruption<\/strong>, which allows orthodontists to treat problems comprehensively. On the other hand, treatment at this stage is also often more socially acceptable<\/strong>, as it is common to see young people wearing braces or clear aligners<\/a>. <\/p>

However, this does not mean that adolescence is the only time for orthodontic treatment.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\tOrthodontics for adults: an increasingly common reality\t\t\n\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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In recent decades, the number of adults seeking orthodontic treatment has increased considerably. According to the Spanish Society of Orthodontics (SEDO), around 25% of current patients are adults. This is partly due to technological advances in this field, such as aesthetic brackets<\/a> or transparent aligners, which offer discreet and effective solutions. <\/p>

Although bone growth has stopped in adults, it is still possible to move teeth using mechanical forces. Treatment results are equally effective, although there may be more limitations (implants, missing teeth, periodontal disease<\/a>, etc.). <\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t

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In addition, many adults decide to start orthodontic treatment to correct problems that were not treated in their youth or to resolve associated complications, such as tooth wear, chewing difficulties, or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\tWhat about children? The role of interceptive orthodontics \t\t\n\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Although less common, in some cases orthodontic treatment can begin in childhood. Interceptive orthodontics, applied between the ages of 6 and 10, is intended to prevent major problems. For example, in children with crossbites, severe crowding, or habits such as thumb sucking, braces can be used to guide growth and prevent future complications. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\tWhy is adolescence a good time for orthodontics?\t\t\n\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    Change from deciduous teeth to permanent teeth<\/div>\n
    By adolescence, many children have lost most of their baby teeth and have almost all of their permanent teeth. This allows us to work on a more stable set of teeth and facilitates orthodontic treatment. <\/div><\/li>\n \t
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    Facial and bone growth<\/div>\n
    During this phase, the jawbones are still developing, which makes tooth movement more efficient and allows for orthopedic corrections when necessary.<\/div><\/li>\n \t
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    Preventing future problems<\/div>\n
    Treating orthodontic problems in adolescence prevents complications in adulthood, such as misalignment, bite problems, TMJ issues, and uneven tooth wear.<\/div><\/li>\n \t
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    Faster results<\/div>\n
    Thanks to the period of active growth, treatments performed during adolescence are generally faster and have fewer limitations than in adults.<\/div><\/li>\n<\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    \n\t\t\tWhat are the most common malocclusions corrected in adolescents?\t\t\n\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    The most common malocclusions corrected in adolescents with orthodontics are:<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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