Braces & Invisalign for Teens in St. Louis Hills, MO
We offer LightForce 3D-printed ceramic braces, traditional metal braces, Invisalign, and Angel Aligners - all available in St. Louis Hills, MO, so your teen can find the perfect fit for their lifestyle and smile goals. With the Grin app, fewer office visits means less disruption to their schedule, without compromising on results.
Saracino Orthodontics offers orthodontic treatment for teens in St. Louis Hills, including Lightforce 3D-printed ceramic braces, metal braces, Invisalign, and Angel Aligners. Dr. Saracino uses the Grin app for remote monitoring, reducing in-office visits for busy teens.
Lightforce 3D-printed ceramic braces: custom fit per tooth
Invisalign and Angel Aligners for teens who prefer removable treatment
Grin remote monitoring reduces office visits by up to 50%
Colored bands available for metal braces
Free consultation - serving St. Louis Hills teens
What Are the Best Braces Options for Teenagers?
How Does the Grin® App Help Teens with Fewer Orthodontic Visits?
Grin Self-Scanning App for Orthodontics on the Go
Grin® lets your teen check in from anywhere with quick, self-guided scans using their smartphone. In just minutes, they can submit their scans directly to Dr. Saracino through the Grin® app, where she will review and provide next steps, reducing the number of in-office visits required throughout treatment and sometimes shortening duration of your treatment.
Kind Words from Smiling Patients
I had the most incredible experience at Saracino Orthodontics! ...The care that I received was individualized, thorough, and timely. It is evident that Dr. Saracino cares greatly for her patients and wants the best for them! I couldn’t recommend Saracino Orthodontics more!!
Nina Simon
Dr. Saracino is the best! She truly cares about each and every patient. Dr. Saracino is so knowledgeable...She really takes pride in her work and the results show just that! I highly recommend Saracino Orthodontics anyone looking for an orthodontist. You will not be disappointed!
Jennifer Ramshaw
Everyone was so welcoming and friendly. Rita at the front desk is so kind and welcoming and gets you all set up with everything you’ll need! Everything was quick and easy, and they made sure you were comfortable and were very friendly. It was very reasonably priced!
Katie McNally
FAQs
What braces options are best for teenagers?
For teenagers, Saracino Orthodontics offers LightForce 3D-printed ceramic braces (tooth-coloured, custom-fit), traditional metal braces with colourful elastics, Invisalign for Teens, and Angel Aligners. The best option depends on the complexity of your teen's case, their lifestyle, and personal preference. Teens who play sports or instruments often prefer clear aligners for their removability. LightForce ceramic braces are the most discreet fixed option. Dr. Saracino discusses all options at your free consultation.
What are LightForce braces and why are they different from regular braces?
LightForce braces are custom 3D-printed ceramic brackets manufactured using a digital scan of your teeth. Unlike standard ceramic or metal brackets, which are designed for average tooth shapes, each LightForce bracket is produced to fit the exact contour of each individual tooth. This custom fit reduces friction, improves comfort, and may reduce overall treatment time. At Saracino Orthodontics, LightForce is available in an ivory ceramic finish that blends naturally with teeth.
How long does orthodontic treatment take for teenagers?
Most teenagers complete orthodontic treatment in 18 to 24 months, though simpler cases may finish in 12 months and more complex cases may take up to 30 months. Treatment duration depends on the type of treatment selected and how consistently appliances are worn. LightForce custom brackets may reduce treatment time compared to standard brackets. Invisalign Teen requires aligners to be worn 20 to 22 hours per day for optimal progress.
Can my teenager play sports or a musical instrument with braces?
Yes. Teens with braces can play most sports and musical instruments. For contact sports, we provide a custom mouthguard designed to fit over braces - standard store-bought mouthguards do not fit properly with brackets. For wind instrument players, ceramic or clear aligner options may reduce initial adjustment time. Teens who play instruments frequently sometimes prefer Invisalign or Angel Aligners for their removability during practice or performance.
What happens if my teenager loses or breaks an Invisalign aligner?
If your teenager loses or breaks a current Invisalign aligner, move on to the next aligner in the series and wear it for two weeks, then call Saracino Orthodontics at 314-649-8999 to inform us and check whether a replacement is needed. If the previous aligner is still intact, wearing it temporarily until the replacement arrives is also an option. Replacement aligners can be ordered; there may be a replacement fee.
Is Invisalign suitable for teenagers?
Yes. Invisalign Teen is specifically designed for adolescents. It includes compliance indicators, small blue dots on the aligners that fade with wear, to help parents and Dr. Saracino track whether aligners are being worn consistently. Invisalign Teen can treat most mild-to-moderate cases of crowding, spacing, and bite issues. For more complex cases, Dr. Saracino may recommend LightForce braces or a combination approach.
How does the Grin app reduce office visits for teenagers?
The Grin app allows teenagers to scan their teeth at home using their smartphone and send the scan directly to Dr. Saracino through the app. Dr. Saracino reviews the scan and provides feedback, meaning routine check-ins can happen virtually rather than in person. This can reduce the number of in-office visits required during active treatment, which is particularly helpful for teenagers with busy school, sport, and activity schedules.
How much do braces cost for teenagers in St. Louis?
The cost of teenage orthodontic treatment at Saracino Orthodontics varies depending on the type of treatment (LightForce, metal, Invisalign) and the complexity of your case. The most accurate way to get a cost is a free one-hour consultation. Saracino Orthodontics offers zero-interest financing with a low down payment, pay-in-full discounts, multi-family member savings, and accepts most major orthodontic insurance plans. Call 314-649-8999 to verify your insurance before your appointment.