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The teen years are loaded. School, sports, social life, college prep, and (let's be real) endless photos. At Stellar Orthodontics, teen treatment is designed around the teenager - not the textbook. We offer Invisalign Teen, clear ceramic braces, and traditional metal braces, planned around school sports schedules and senior portrait timing.
By age 11 to 14, most permanent teeth are in place and smile development is easier to evaluate. That makes it a practical window for braces or Invisalign Teen. Many teens start in middle school and finish in time for senior portraits, prom photos, and graduation.
Clear aligner trays specifically designed for teens. Includes compliance indicators (small blue dots that fade with proper wear) so parents and the orthodontist can confirm the aligners are being worn enough. Replacement aligners are included if one is lost on a field trip or buried in a school cafeteria napkin.
Best for the teen who is mature enough to wear trays 20 to 22 hours a day and wants the most discreet option.
Full Invisalign Delaware guideTooth-colored brackets that blend in with the smile. Fixed in place, so no compliance worry - the appliances work 24 hours a day with no parent-monitoring required. Most teens choose this when Invisalign isn't a fit and they want a softer look than metal.
Best for the teen who wants discretion but has a case that benefits from fixed appliances.
Compare clear bracesThe most economical and most durable option. Modern brackets are smaller and lighter than the braces of a decade ago. Fun color elastics every adjustment visit - school colors, sports team colors, holiday combos. Most kids look forward to picking colors.
Best for the active teen who plays contact sports, prefers the lowest cost, and isn't worried about photos.
Compare metal bracesA common parent worry: will treatment force my kid to give up sports, theater, band, dance? Short answer: no. We plan treatment around your teen's actual life and equip them with the gear they need to keep doing what they love.
Many Delaware families plan teen treatment specifically around senior year. If your teen is currently in 9th or 10th grade, a free consultation now lets us build a timeline that finishes before senior portraits and graduation. Even teens currently in 11th grade can sometimes start a short cosmetic Invisalign case in time for photos.
If your teen is closer to graduation, Invisalign Teen often offers the most flexibility - trays come out for prom and senior portrait day, so the photos look the same as if treatment were already complete.
Teens under 21 enrolled in Highmark Health Options, AmeriHealth Caritas Delaware, Delaware First Health, or CHIP may qualify for fully covered orthodontic treatment under the EPSDT benefit. Stellar handles the pre-authorization paperwork.
Most teens are ready between ages 11 and 14, once most permanent teeth have erupted. Earlier evaluations starting around age 7 help spot growth or bite concerns that benefit from Phase 1 treatment. The free consultation determines whether your teen is ready or whether monitoring is the right call.
Most teen cases finish in 12 to 24 months. Many teens start in middle school and complete treatment in time for senior portraits. Complex cases may run longer.
Yes for most cases. Invisalign Teen includes compliance indicators so parents and the orthodontist can confirm aligner wear. Complex bite cases sometimes still respond better to fixed braces. Your free consultation answers this for your teen's specific case.
Yes. We fit a custom orthodontic mouthguard for any Stellar braces patient in contact sports. The mouthguard protects the teeth and the appliances. Wind instruments, dance, cheer, and theater all work fine with braces.
Invisalign Teen includes replacement aligners as part of the package. Call us right away and we'll either move to the next tray early or ship a replacement, depending on the case stage.
Teen Invisalign $3,500–$7,500. Clear ceramic braces $4,000–$7,500. Metal braces $3,000–$6,500. Stellar accepts most major dental insurance and Delaware Medicaid for teens under 21.
Yes for medically necessary cases. Teens under 21 enrolled in DSHP or CHIP may qualify when the HLD Index criteria or an auto-qualifying condition is met. See our Medicaid orthodontics guide for the full breakdown.
Braces patients avoid hard foods (ice, hard candy, popcorn kernels, nuts) and sticky foods (gum, caramel, taffy). Invisalign Teen has no food restrictions. Sports, dance, theater, and music all continue normally.