It seems like braces are a right of passage for most teens these days, and for good reason—creating a healthy smile is an invaluable lifelong asset. The experience of having braces is also improving with more comfortable, discreet options for teens. A fantastic case for the difference teen braces can make before and after is Mason, one of Docbraces' patients. Mason shares his braces before and after story with us in this blog post:BackgroundMason was always a kid with lots of energy. To keep him occupied, his parents enrolled him in a variety of sports and activities. Boy Scouts, Taekwondo, soccer – Mason loved them all. Or at least he used to. Lately, Mason had become withdrawn and didn’t want to participate in the activities that used to make him happy. He was starting grade 10 and was feeling very self-conscious about his teeth.As he grew, it seemed that Mason’s mouth and jaw didn’t seem to keep up. This didn't come as much of a surprise; Mason’s parents had taken him to the orthodontist for the first time at the age of seven, and when he returned to the Docbraces team at 13, Mason and his parents were prepared for the treatment he would need in the near future.The Docbraces orthodontist identified a number of issues in Mason's development, including irregular spacing, an overbite and a narrow upper and lower jaw as well as impacted teeth that required surgical exposure.Mason was going to need surgery to expose the hidden teeth and then be fitted for braces in order to correct the development of his jaw and teeth and to prevent future health issues related to a misaligned bite.Smile SolutionInitially, Mason’s teeth were exposed and his upper jaw was expanded using a palatal expander. Then, a year later when he was 15, Docbraces fitted Mason with comfortable, state-of-the-art braces to begin aligning his jaws and adjusting his teeth.Mason’s parents could see an immediate change in Mason’s attitude. Previously, he would complain about going to school and to his various activities, but he stopped putting up such a fight as his treatment took effect and his confidence began to return.“Just knowing that there was a process in place to correct his smile made Mason happier,” explains Judy, Mason’s mom. “Before the braces, he would cover his mouth with his hand when he laughed or smiled, but that only seemed to draw more attention to his teeth.”After the braces went on, Mason started showing signs of his old self. He joined the school soccer team and even got a part time job at a local grocery store. As his teeth improved, so did his outlook on life.ResultsInitially, the Docbraces team had predicted that Mason’s treatment would take up to three years, but Mason’s mouth had a different idea – he achieved excellent results in just two and a half years.“The difference between Mason before braces and Mason after braces is incredible,” says Judy.“Docbraces was so accommodating when it came to the payment schedule and down payment, but really, the treatment Mason received there was priceless.”Become a Braces Before and After Success StoryLearn how you or your child can become a braces before and after success story and schedule a FREE, no-obligation consultation at the Docbraces location nearest you! Call toll free: 1-866-639-7695To learn more about the advantages of early orthodontic treatment, download the FREE Parent's Guide to the Benefits of Braces.