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Boosting Confidence with Clear Aligners or Braces – Which Is Right for Your Teen?

Posted on by Central Park Ortho
Let’s face it—being a teen is tough, and we all want our kids to feel confident as they navigate these years. A beautiful, straight smile can do wonders for their self-esteem! At Central Park Orthodontics in Denver, Colorado will make that happen with personalized orthodontic care. If you’re wondering whether braces or clear aligners are the way to go, we’ve got you covered! Let’s dive into how each option can help your teen feel awesome about their smile.

Braces: The Classic Smile Fixer

Braces have been around for ages (for good reason!). They’re great for handling even the trickiest smile problems, and once they’re on, your teen is all set—no need to worry about remembering anything. Braces are tough, making them perfect for active teens, and they can be personalized with colorful bands for some added flair. It’s like turning their smile into a fun, stylish statement!

Clear Aligners: Confidence in Stealth Mode

If your teen wants a more low-key option, clear aligners are the ultimate secret weapon. These nearly invisible trays are super discreet and removable, so your teen can still enjoy all their favorite foods (hello, popcorn!) and brush their teeth with ease. The best part? No one will even know they’re straightening their teeth! They’ll just need to be responsible enough to wear them for 22 hours a day—but if they’ve got that down, clear aligners are a fantastic choice.

So, How Do You Choose?

Here’s a quick rundown to help you decide:
  • Responsibility: Clear aligners need more discipline, while braces do the work once they’re on.
  • Complexity: Braces are perfect for more challenging cases, while clear aligners shine with mild to moderate issues.
  • Lifestyle: If your teen’s super active, braces are durable, but if they want a subtle approach, aligners are practically invisible.
Dr. Schneider will help you and your teen figure out the perfect option based on their personality and needs. We’re all about making orthodontic care fun and stress-free!

Ready to Get That Confidence Soaring?

At Central Park Orthodontics, we’re excited to help your teen rock a confident, stunning smile—whether it’s with braces or clear aligners. Schedule a consultation today and let’s start this fun smile journey together!

Who Me? Orthodontics Isn’t Just for Kids

Posted on by Central Park Ortho
More and more at Central Park Orthodontics we’re hearing from adults who want a straighter smile. Either they didn’t keep up with their retainer and are hoping for their old smile back, or they never had orthodontics and would like to see the smile of their dreams in the mirror.

Whichever boat you fall into, we’re here to help. While many people think of an orthodontic practice as a place for kids and teens, at Central Park Orthodontics we also love treating adults. And when it comes to treating adults, clear aligners like Invisalign are the name of the game.

Clear: As an adult, the last thing you want is a metal mouth while undergoing orthodontic treatment. Many adults forgo even asking about straightening that front tooth because they don’t want to picture themselves at a meeting or on the carpool line with a mouth full of braces. Not to worry! Invisalign offers clear aligners that are virtually undetectable.

Cost-Effective: Most orthodontists are self-admitted perfectionists and we’re no different. BUT if all you really want is to fix one crooked tooth, we’ve got options for that. Particularly for those who had treatment in the past and are just seeking a small fix – we offer limited treatment options and would be happy to discuss them with you.

Comfortable: Invisalign clear aligners are 3D printed to your exact specifications as outlined by Dr. Schneider. This means that they will have a snug fit designed for your unique mouth and treatment plan. No broken wires or brackets, no metal digging into your cheeks. Plus, since they’re removable your brushing/flossing routine won’t take any setbacks.

We have several affordable treatment options to consider. Visit our Smile Choice page to learn more!

If you’ve been thinking about orthodontics for yourself, we’d love to offer you a complimentary consultation with Dr. Schneider and the team at Central Park Orthodontics.

We are proud to be certified Invisalign providers and look forward to helping you achieve the smile of your dreams. Just click below or call us at (303) 316-7846 to get started.

Give Your Teen A Winning Smile / A Smile To Knock ‘Em Out of the Park

Posted on by Central Park Ortho
Does your teen avoid smiling because they don’t like their teeth? An adolescent’s smile can actually have a profound effect on their self esteem and even impact their social skills. Further, according to a research study out of Webster University, a confident smile can be seen as even more attractive than traditional good looks. 

We know that our teens are super conscious of their image. Just look at the number of selfies they take, and how much time they spend liking, commenting and sharing their friends’ photos on Snapchat, Facebook and Instagram. That’s why when teens come to Central Park Orthodontics for orthodontic treatment, we want to be sure we have options for them, to ensure their confidence stays high while their smile improves.

Through orthodontic treatment (either with traditional braces or Invisalign Dr. Spencer Schneider can correct genetic issues from crowding and spaced teeth to protruding upper teeth. Or, we  can address improper bites due to thumb-sucking as a child, periodontal disease, poor dental hygiene, early or late loss of primary teeth or trauma to the teeth from a sporting injury, for example. 

The other good news is that adolescence is the optimal time to rectify orthodontic problems since teens haven’t yet finished growing. Early correction of orthodontic problems frequently takes less time in treatment and is less costly when compared to correction of dental problems that have been allowed to progress into adulthood.

Improving and encouraging your teens’ self esteem is one of our core values at Central Park Orthodontics. It’s one of the big reasons why we offer Invisalign (besides the fact that it’s excellent technology that allows us to create beautiful, healthy smiles). In fact, a study* Invisalign, confirms that “people with straight teeth are perceived more likely to be happy” … we hope all our patients are leaving our practice happy after each and every appointment. 

Want to give your teen a winning smile that will help boost their self confidence? Bring them to Park Orthodontics where we’ll give ’em a smile that will knock’ em out of the park! 

For a complimentary consultation click or call below: 



If you suspect your child may benefit from orthodontic care, don’t hesitate to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Schneider and the team at Central Park Orthodontics. Call us at (303) 316-7846 or click below to contact us.

How To Know If Your Child Needs Orthodontics

Posted on by Central Park Ortho
Determining whether your child needs orthodontic treatment is an important consideration, and there are certain signs to look out for. While there isn’t a specific age to commence orthodontic care, around seven years old is when many permanent teeth have developed sufficiently, and the jaw is established enough to identify any existing or potential issues.

Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment

Getting orthodontic treatment during childhood offers several advantages, such as shorter treatment duration, fewer impacted permanent teeth, and a reduced likelihood of tooth removal. This is achieved by:

  • Guiding teeth into desired positions early on
  • Minimizing crowding and creating room for erupting teeth
  • Guiding jaw growth
  • Correcting the effects of oral habits like thumb and finger sucking


Signs to Watch For

To determine if your child may benefit from orthodontics, pay attention to the following signs:

  • Early or late loss of baby teeth
  • Difficulty chewing or biting into food
  • Grinding and/or clenching of teeth
  • Mouth breathing
  • Speech difficulties
  • Thumb or other finger sucking habit
  • Crowding, misplacement, or blocking of teeth
  • Jaw shifts or jaw noises like popping
  • Protruding teeth
  • Biting the inside of the cheek
  • Teeth meeting abnormally or not meeting at all
  • Jaw and teeth proportions appearing disproportionate to the face


It’s essential to note that these signs don’t guarantee the necessity of treatment but suggest that an orthodontic evaluation may be beneficial.

Schedule an Evaluation

If you suspect your child may benefit from orthodontic care, don’t hesitate to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Schneider and the team at Central Park Orthodontics. Call us at (303) 316-7846 or click below to contact us.



A Parent’s Guide to Braces and Invisalign

Posted on by Central Park Ortho

One of the questions we get asked the most from parents and patients is: “which is better: Braces or Invisalign?”

It’s a hard question to answer because so much depends on each patient and their specific needs. That’s why at Central Park Orthodontics we prioritize spending time with you and listening to your needs and goals. That’s what helps us land on the best possible treatment plan for each unique patient who comes to see us for orthodontics.

Let’s talk about some of the different treatment options that we offer at Central Park Orthodontics and the differences between them. Traditional metal or clear braces are the most commonly recognized and can be a great choice. There’s minimal involvement from the patient’s perspective except for avoiding foods that can damage brackets and wires, and brushing really well is a top priority. Braces are also great for patients who simply aren’t going to wear aligners for 22 hours a day. And that’s okay! You’ll come to us every 6-8 weeks for adjustments and we’ll be on our way to a straighter smile in no time.

On the other hand, clear aligners are an excellent alternative for patients that are good at keeping to a schedule and the list of foods to avoid while in treatment is much smaller. They’re also a great choice if you know brushing is already an issue – which makes braces more challenging. It’s harder to reach those nooks and crannies when the brackets and wires are in place.

If we feel that one would be a better option for any reason, we’ll let you know why and we’ll talk through everything in detail together. In most cases both treatment options are efficient and effective at giving your child their ideal smile, and making parents smile along the way.

Our goal at Central Park Orthodontics is to create beautiful, healthy smiles for our patients that will be valued for a lifetime. With leading orthodontic care, flexible scheduling, and affordable treatment options, you’ll achieve your smile dream in no time! Click below to schedule your complimentary consultation today!

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