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Braces for teens

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  • Braces For Teens

Braces have essentially become a rite of passage for teenagers nowadays. It is actually more common for teens to wear braces than not—it is estimated that over 80% of all teenagers will get braces or Invisalign at some point during their high school years to address some orthodontic issue. Treatment with braces typically takes around two years, but this really depends on what the diagnosis is and how quickly the patient’s teeth move. If you are on track to get braces as a teen, read on to learn more about the process and how it will affect your life!

Types of Braces

Here at Z&G Orthodontics, we offer two types of braces; traditional metal braces and Iconix aesthetic braces. Traditional braces use metal brackets that are glued to the teeth and connected via wires to pull teeth into place. These are likely the kind of braces that your parents and grandparents will remember from their childhood. Traditional braces continually yield great results, which is why they are still being used today!

Iconix aesthetic braces work very similarly to traditional braces in that they use brackets on the front of teeth and wires to connect everything. With these braces, the brackets are made from a stainless steel material that is colored gold or champagne. These shades mimic the natural color of teeth in order to give a less noticeable look with the braces. Both traditional braces and Iconix braces need to be manually tightened by your orthodontist every 4-6 weeks to keep your treatment moving along at an appropriate pace.

Lifestyle Changes with Braces

Since braces are moving your teeth and jaw, they do tend to cause some discomfort. After getting your braces put on or after tightenings, your mouth may be a little sore. This soreness can be alleviated by eating soft foods and taking a pain reliever for a day or two. Sometimes the brackets rubbing against the inside of your gums can lead to tenderness, but this can be solved with dental wax! Dental wax is a non-toxic wax that you can get from your orthodontist to cover any brackets that are bothering you and leave a smooth surface.

Braces normally do not affect your day-to-day lifestyle. You can still lead an active lifestyle exercising and playing sports, but you may want to wear a braces-safe mouthguard to protect your teeth. We advise patients to avoid extra hard, sticky, or chewy foods while wearing braces, as these can break and damage the metal. We know it can be hard to turn down a tasty snack, but if your braces break and leave wires poking out in your mouth, you will likely need to come in to the orthodontist for an emergency appointment. Trust us, these foods are better left to be enjoyed after getting your braces removed.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you will need to spend a few extra minutes taking care of your dental hygiene with braces. The metal brackets and wires act as magnets for plaque and buildup, making it even easier to get cavities or gum disease during treatment. Be sure to take the time to really brush between your brackets and use the special flosser provided by your orthodontist to clean in between teeth. Braces are putting in work to straighten out your smile, but you need to put in work to keep your teeth healthy and white throughout the process!

Once you get your braces removed, your orthodontic upkeep does not stop. You will be given a retainer after getting your braces off that you will need to wear consistently for about a year. At first you should only take your retainer out during meals or to brush your teeth, but after about 4-6 months you can transition to only wearing your retainer at night. The retainer is meant to stabilize your teeth in their perfect positions to ensure that all the hard work from treatment is not lost.

Price of Braces

The total cost of your braces treatment will vary depending on what your diagnosis is and how quickly your teeth move. For cosmetic fixes, treatment is typically shorter and therefore less costly than longer, more intense orthodontic work. The best way to get an accurate price estimate for braces treatment is to visit your local orthodontist. If price is a concern for you or your family, our staff are happy to work with you in achieving your desired results. At Z&G Orthodontics, we believe that everyone should be able to attain their dream smile, no matter what their financial situation is.

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The first step toward achieving a beautiful, healthy smile is to schedule an appointment. Simply select a location below, then choose the time and day that works best with your schedule.

Concord
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Patient Testimonials

We Love Making People Smile

Hear what our patients have to say about their experience with us!

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Laura C.
This team truly takes care of people. Karen was so kind and one of the most knowledgeable people I’ve ever been helped by at an office. She was able to answer a lot of detailed questions not only about options, processes annd procedures, but also complex insurance changes and difficult timing I needed to navigate. She gave me a clear and transparent quote with ease. Both Karen and Dr. Gidaly are also very compassionate and went out of their way to help me problem-solve another dental issue I was having that had nothing to do with the work they had signed on to do. Dr. Gidaly went as far as calling me from his personal cell when he was off to check in, answer questions, help come up with a plan and let me know that I could reach out to him at any time. It can be really hard to find providers who are both highly skilled AND compassionate. This office is both. Highly recommend!!!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Laura! We're thrilled to hear about your positive experience with Karen and Dr. Gidaly. Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate and knowledgeable care. We appreciate your recommendation!
Tecina H.
Myself and 3 children as well as my sister and her family has all went to Zammitti and Gidaly for our Orthodontic needs. We all love them .
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you and your family love our services. We look forward to continuing to provide excellent orthodontic care for everyone.
hopee
Love love loveeee. I’m very picky about where I go & this ortho did not disappoint. Such a beautiful environment and I always feel at home. Amazing staff & very understanding as well. You can tell they love what they do!!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you feel at home and appreciate our team's dedication. Your satisfaction means a lot to us, and we look forward to continuing your orthodontic journey!
Kaiymma E.
great appointment, everyone was friendly & very efficient. happy to be a new patient!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words, Kaiymma! We’re thrilled you had a great experience with our team. Welcome to our practice, and we look forward to helping you achieve your dream smile!
Kim B.
Always a good experience. Dr. Zammitti and the dental hygienist were always professional and courteous.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words, Kim! We’re thrilled to hear about your positive experiences with Dr. Zammitti and our team. We look forward to seeing you again soon at Zammitti & Gidaly Orthodontics!
Salah K.
Incredible team, incredible atmosphere, can’t recommend this place enough!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed your experience with our team and atmosphere. Your recommendation means a lot to us. We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Ebony S.
The office was so Welcoming everybody was nice and sweet and made you feel like you were at home. Coco personality was over the top. She was very loving and caring from the time you walk in till the time you walk out!! 1000/10 will always recommend
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words, Ebony. We're thrilled to hear you felt at home during your visit. Coco and our entire team strive to create a welcoming environment for all our patients. We appreciate your recommendation!
Audrey B.
Very kind and very efficient. My daughter never complains about going to the orthodontist. She tends to be nervous about a lot of things, but the staff are very gentle and friendly with her.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Audrey! We’re thrilled to hear that your daughter feels comfortable with us. Our team's gentle and friendly approach ensures a positive experience for all our patients. We appreciate your kind words!
Kelly R.
Great consultation and then follow up visit. Dr Gidaly and s great with kids and the process could not have been any easier. Highly recommend.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Kelly! We're delighted to hear that Dr. Gidaly made the process easy and enjoyable for your family. Your recommendation means a lot to us!
Tahara E.
I had such a positive experience during my visit yesterday with Dr. Zammitti, thanks in large part to Coco’s incredible customer service. From the moment I arrived, Coco made me feel genuinely cared for and completely at ease. She took the time to walk me through my treatment plan options with so much clarity and compassion, which I truly appreciated.

I came into the office feeling frustrated and discouraged with my Invisalign progress—it felt like my teeth wasn’t shifting. But after meeting with Coco and Dr. Zammitti, that worry melted away. They listened to my concerns and reassured me with a thoughtful plan to move things in the right direction. Now, with the decision to add more trays, I feel hopeful and confident again.

I can’t recommend Zammitti and Gidaly Orthodontics enough. Their care goes beyond just treatment—they truly see and support you.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your thoughtful review! We're thrilled to know that Coco and Dr. Zammitti were able to provide clarity and support during your visit. Your confidence means so much to us!
A B
I had such an amazing experience yesterday that I just had to share! From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with a warm welcome. Coco assisted me during my visit, and she was absolutely fantastic. Her positive energy and friendly personality truly lit up the room. She was not only welcoming but also incredibly knowledgeable, which instantly put me at ease about my teeth. I genuinely felt comfortable and well cared for. A huge shoutout to Dr. Zammitti as well, talking with him gave me total confidence that I was in great hands. Thank you all so much!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled you had an amazing experience. Coco and Dr. Zammitti appreciate your kind words. We look forward to seeing you at your next visit!
Nichole W.
Coco the assistant was amazing during my consultation. She explained things through out the entire process. She definitely was a treasure to work with. The office is top notch!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words, Nichole! We're thrilled to hear that Coco provided exceptional support during your consultation. The team's dedication to your experience is our top priority. We appreciate your feedback!
Aaron M.
My 10 yr old son is a patient and we couldn’t be happier with our experience. Dr. Gidaly communicates with kids well and helped us with the apprehension of the process. He was able to put my son’s concerns to rest and explained what all to expect. His staff is all wonderful too! I highly recommend Dr. Gidaly and his office.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that Dr. Gidaly was able to ease your son’s apprehensions and provide a positive experience. Our team strives to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all our patients. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we look forward to continuing to serve you and your family.
Larina P.
Dr. Gidaly and his staff have been excellent with both of my daughters. He is also 100% responsive to after-hours questions/concerns (which is always when things go wrong) which is so deeply appreciated when you're trying to support your child. Sign on and all will be well!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback, Larina! We're thrilled to hear that you and your daughters have had such positive experiences with Dr. Gidaly and our team. Providing prompt support, especially during after-hours, is a priority for us. We appreciate your trust and recommendation!
Yeila R.
I had my first consultation it was amazing customer service is top tier COCO is the one she had incredible customer service and carisma makes you feel comfortable and at home she is very well educated and understanding of your needs!! And I just got my braces And all thanks to COCO and Riley with their amazing treatment! 10/10🫶🏻
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Yeila! We're thrilled to hear that you had an amazing experience with Coco and our team. Your comfort and satisfaction are our top priorities. We're excited to support you on your orthodontic journey!
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    Concord, NC 28027
  • 130 Harbour Place Drive, Suite 100
    Davidson, NC 28036
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    Harrisburg, NC 28075
Concord, NC
Davidson, NC
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