A confident smile matters at any age. But during adolescence, our bone and facial structures experience rapid growth and change dramatically. Orthodontic treatment at this stage aims to guide this growth toward optimal results, including teeth alignment and bite correction.
To ensure your teenager reaches adulthood with healthy, straight teeth, our tailored treatments may involve a combination of braces, Invisalign, orthodontic plates, expanders, and other functional appliances.
The teenage years are filled with growth and development, making this an ideal time to begin correcting teeth and jaw alignment. By 13, most teenagers have all their adult teeth allowing us to make a comprehensive treatment plan.
Braces are commonly used to straighten crooked or overcrowded teeth, but the prospect can be stressful for both teenager and parent. Fortunately, your orthodontic options have greatly increased and appliances can be customised to best suit your teen’s personality—and your budget.
Early intervention is the key to treatment success. Consulting an orthodontist before the puberty growth spurt allows you to preemptively correct issues before they affect your teen’s mouth.
Specialist orthodontists complete several additional years of advanced training beyond dental school, focused exclusively on tooth movement, bite correction, and facial growth.
During the teenage years, jaw growth and dental development occur rapidly, making precise timing critical for long-term bite stability and facial balance. A specialist orthodontist is trained to guide this growth safely and predictably.
Importantly, not all teenage orthodontic cases are suitable for aligners alone—complex bite issues often require braces or a combination approach to achieve the best outcome.
Every teenager’s smile is unique, which is why orthodontic treatment during adolescence is never one-size-fits-all. At Shakespeare Orthodontics, we tailor treatment based on dental development, jaw growth, bite alignment, and long-term stability.
Common orthodontic treatment options for teenagers include:
Fixed Braces
The most precise and versatile option for correcting crowding, spacing, bite problems, and jaw alignment during the teenage growth phase.
Clear or Low-Profile Braces
A more discreet alternative to traditional braces, offering effective correction while reducing visual impact.
Removable Orthodontic Appliances
Used in selected cases to guide jaw development, manage bite relationships, or prepare the mouth for later fixed treatment.
Clear Aligners (Case-Dependent)
Suitable for some teenagers with mild to moderate alignment concerns and excellent compliance, following specialist assessment.
Your specialist orthodontist will recommend the most appropriate option—or combination of treatments—after a comprehensive assessment, ensuring results that are stable, functional, and designed to last into adulthood.
Properly aligned teeth are easier to clean and maintain, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease. Early treatment will correct issues before they become more complex and costly. If your teen begins to experience jaw pain or discomfort, don’t delay starting their orthodontic care.
Modern technology offers us detailed scans of every tooth and lets us plan the treatment accordingly. Costs and timelines will be discussed in-depth before beginning treatment and will vary depending on the scope of the correction.
A common misconception surrounding orthodontics is the notion of “waiting until later.” At Shakespeare Orthodontics, we urge you not to delay if you recognise any orthodontic concerns in your teenager.
Research emphasises that a captivating smile is one of the first things we notice about others. Ensuring your teenager has healthy, straight teeth in the correct position is a gift that lasts a lifetime.
At Shakespeare Orthodontics, we are dedicated to delivering personalised care that embraces the uniqueness of every teenager. Call us to take advantage of our FREE specialist orthodontic consultation.
Contact us today, and let’s embark on a journey to unlock a confident and radiant smile for your teenager at Shakespeare Orthodontics.
In 2008, Adriana graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Santa Maria University in Caracas, Venezuela. After graduation, she worked in Venezuela in private practice, at the Orthopaedic Children’s Hospital (Dentistry/Orthodontics unit), and as a lecturer in the National Experimental University of the Armed Forces.
In the year 2011, Adriana moved to Argentina to specialise, gaining the Specialist Orthodontist degree from the University of Buenos Aires in 2013. While in Argentina, she worked as a part-time lecturer at the Orthodontics Department in the University of Buenos Aires, private practice, and at the Craniofacial Unit in the Paediatric Hospital Garrahan, looking after cleft lip new-born, children, and adolescent patients.
Adriana is a Spanish speaker. On her spare time she likes going to the beach, travelling, socialising with friends, playing video games, cooking, and going to the gym.
BDS | DClinDent | MRACDS-Orth | MOrthRCSEd
Dr Azza Al-Ani, grew up in Christchurch, is a registered specialist orthodontist working at Shakespeare Orthodontics in Auckland. You can find her at one of the clinics in the city, or at their Takapuna clinic on the North Shore.
In 2009, Azza graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery with Credit from the University of Otago.
She worked as a dental house surgeon at Auckland, Greenlane and Middlemore Hospitals; and as a dental officer at Sydney’s Westmead Hospital.
In 2012, she completed the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS) primary examinations.
Before commencing her specialist training, she held a part-time Professional Practice Fellow position at the Faculty of Dentistry, while working as a dentist in private practice.
In 2016, Azza graduated from the University of Otago with a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry in Orthodontics. She passed examinations to gain memberships into the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
She is also certified with the Australasian Orthodontic Board, and is a member of the New Zealand Association of Orthodontists, and the New Zealand Dental Association.
Azza’s area of research interest is hypodontia.
She has presented about this topic at the European Orthodontic Society Congress, and at the International Association Dental Research ANZ Scientific Meeting, and has been involved in the publication of numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals.
Outside of work, Azza loves spending time with her son and Mo (her husband), socialising with family and friends, overseas travel, and tries to keep up with Mo mountain biking.
Mo is a Specialist Orthodontist. He grew up in both New Zealand and Australia.
After completing a year in Health Sciences, and later physiotherapy, he qualified as a dentist in New Zealand. He spent the next four years working alongside his father in Sydney where he practised general dentistry. Mo then returned to Dunedin to specialise, gaining his specialist degree – Clinical Doctorate in Orthodontics from the University of Otago.
During the three years of specialist training, Mo had the privilege of learning from the best. The combined clinical and academic acumen of professors, doctors and staff provided an invaluable experience.
Meanwhile, Mo published and presented significant research and clinical cases at both national and international forums, including the International Association of Dental Research, the Australasian Begg Society of Orthodontics, the European Orthodontic Society and the New Zealand Dental Association conference.
A firm believer in maintaining high clinical standards, Mo successfully completed further examinations to become affiliated with the Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh) and the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (Sydney).
Mo is currently a part time senior lecturer at Auckland University of Technology, a Fellow of the World Federation of Orthodontists and also holds professional memberships with the New Zealand Association of Orthodontists, the New Zealand Dental Association and American Association of Orthodontists.
He has also been involved in the supervising and lecturing of students at the Auckland University of Technology.
Outside of work, Mo enjoys the precious time with his young family and the outdoors. He especially loves mountain biking, running, fishing, diving and, in winter, snowboarding.
Traveling along with his best friend and wife (Azza) around the world has also been a big part of Mo’s life. Mo is primarily based in Shakespeare Orthodontic’s city clinics and on the North Shore.
