Types of Braces for Children, Teens & Adults

At Golden Kids Dental & Orthodontics, we offer several types of braces and orthodontic treatment options for children, teens, and adults throughout Golden, Lakewood, Arvada, Evergreen, Wheat Ridge, Morrison, West Pleasant View, and surrounding Colorado communities. Every smile is unique, which is why our orthodontic team creates personalized treatment plans designed around each patient’s needs, goals, and lifestyle. 

Whether your child needs early orthodontic treatment or you are exploring braces or clear aligners as an adult, our team is committed to helping patients achieve healthy, confident smiles with comfortable and effective orthodontic care.

Finding the Right Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic treatment is about more than straightening teeth. Properly aligned teeth and jaws can improve:

• Bite function
• Oral hygiene
• Speech development
• Jaw comfort
• Smile confidence
• Long term oral health

During your orthodontic consultation, our team carefully evaluates tooth alignment, jaw development, bite relationships, and facial balance to determine the best treatment approach.

Metal Braces

Traditional metal braces remain one of the most reliable and effective orthodontic treatment options available. Modern metal braces are smaller, smoother, and more comfortable than braces used in the past.

Metal braces use high grade stainless steel brackets and wires to gradually guide teeth into proper alignment.

Benefits of metal braces include:

• Highly effective for complex orthodontic cases
• Durable and reliable
• Efficient tooth movement
• Suitable for children, teens, and adults
• Often shorter treatment times for certain cases

Metal braces continue to be one of the most popular orthodontic treatment options for correcting crowding, bite concerns, spacing, and alignment issues.

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces function similarly to traditional braces but use clear or tooth colored brackets for a more discreet appearance. Many teens and adults choose ceramic braces because they blend more naturally with the teeth during treatment.

Benefits of ceramic braces include:

• Less noticeable appearance
• Effective tooth alignment
• Comfortable fit
• Improved smile aesthetics during treatment

Ceramic braces may not be recommended in every case because they can be slightly more delicate than metal braces. Our orthodontic team will help determine whether ceramic braces are the best option for your smile.

Self Ligating Braces

Self ligating braces use specialized brackets that hold orthodontic wires in place without the need for elastic ties. This advanced orthodontic system is designed to reduce friction and improve treatment efficiency.

Benefits of self ligating braces may include:

• Smoother tooth movement
• Reduced friction
• Greater comfort
• Fewer adjustments
• Improved oral hygiene access
• Potentially shorter treatment times

Self ligating braces are designed to create efficient tooth movement while maintaining excellent control throughout treatment.

Invisalign Teen® & Clear Aligners

For teens and adults seeking a more discreet orthodontic option, Invisalign Teen® and clear aligners provide an alternative to traditional braces.

Clear aligners use custom made transparent trays to gradually move teeth into alignment without brackets or wires.

Benefits of clear aligners include:

• Virtually invisible appearance
• Removable convenience
• Easier brushing and flossing
• No food restrictions
• Comfortable fit

Clear aligners may be ideal for patients with mild to moderate orthodontic concerns who are committed to wearing aligners consistently.

Early Orthodontic Treatment

Some orthodontic concerns are easier to address while children are still growing. Early orthodontic treatment, also called interceptive orthodontics, focuses on guiding jaw development and improving bite relationships before more serious problems develop.

Early treatment may help:

• Reduce crowding
• Correct crossbites
• Improve jaw alignment
• Protect protruding teeth
• Guide permanent tooth eruption
• Reduce future orthodontic complexity

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children receive an orthodontic evaluation by age 7.

Comprehensive Orthodontic Treatment

Comprehensive orthodontic treatment addresses both tooth alignment and bite function. Treatment typically begins once most or all permanent teeth are present.

Comprehensive orthodontic treatment may help correct:

• Crooked teeth
• Crowding
• Gaps between teeth
• Overbites
• Underbites
• Crossbites
• Jaw alignment concerns

Our orthodontic team develops personalized treatment plans designed to improve both smile aesthetics and long term oral function.

Adult Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic treatment is not limited to children and teens. Many adults choose braces or clear aligners to improve smile appearance, correct bite concerns, or address shifting teeth later in life.

Adult orthodontics may help:

• Improve smile confidence
• Improve bite function
• Reduce uneven tooth wear
• Support better oral hygiene
• Correct long standing orthodontic concerns

It is never too late to achieve a healthier, straighter smile.