The First Step to a Confident Smile Starts Here
You want your child to feel confident in their smile and have a healthy start for the future. But if you’ve noticed crowded teeth, a bite that doesn’t look quite right, or concerns about how their smile is developing, you may be wondering if it’s time to see an orthodontist.
We make it easier to know what your child needs. Our team provides personalized, child-friendly orthodontic care to guide their growing smiles and help you feel confident about their care.
Let’s take the first step toward a healthier, more confident smile for your child.
Understanding Orthodontics for Children
Orthodontics is a specialized field of dentistry that focuses on correcting misaligned teeth and jaws. It can address concerns such as overbites, underbites, crossbites, and crowded teeth, helping support healthy dental development. Early orthodontic intervention can also have a significant impact on your child’s self-esteem.
Depending on your child’s needs, treatment may help to:
- Guide healthy dental development by addressing bite and jaw alignment concerns.
- Reduce the risk of future complications by identifying orthodontic issues early.
- Plan ahead for treatment that may help simplify care as your child grows.
- Build confidence with a smile your child can feel good about.
Common Orthodontic Issues in Children
- Overbite: When your child’s upper front teeth protrude too far over the lower front teeth.
- Underbite: When your child’s lower front teeth protrude too far over the upper front teeth.
- Crossbite: When your child’s upper and lower teeth don’t align properly.
- Open Bite: When your child’s front teeth don’t meet when the teeth are closed.
- Crowding: When your child doesn’t have enough room for all their teeth to fit properly.
- Spacing: When there are noticeable gaps between your child’s teeth.
Explore Your Child’s Options for a Healthier Smile
Clear Aligners
For suitable candidates, Invisalign uses a series of clear aligners to gradually move teeth into position. The discreet design is ideal for children who prefer an alternative to braces.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces use tooth-colored brackets that blend in with your child’s teeth, offering a more subtle alternative to traditional metal braces.
Traditional Metal Braces
A reliable and versatile option, metal braces can correct a wide range of orthodontic concerns and help guide your child toward a healthier, more aligned smile.
Help Your Child Keep Their Smile Healthy During Treatment
- Encourage thorough brushing with fluoride toothpaste, paying special attention to the areas around brackets and along the gumline.
- Daily flossing helps remove plaque and food particles between teeth.
- Ask our team which mouthwash is appropriate for your child and how often to use it.
- Avoid hard, sticky, and chewy foods that could damage brackets or wires.
- Regular appointments help your orthodontist monitor your child’s progress and make adjustments when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. This allows our team to monitor jaw growth and tooth development and identify potential concerns early. Not every child needs braces at this age and treatment depends on their individual needs.
Common signs that your child may benefit from braces include crowded or crooked teeth, gaps, protruding teeth, an uneven bite, or difficulty biting and chewing. If you notice any of these concerns, an orthodontic evaluation can help determine whether treatment is needed and the best time to begin.
The duration of your child’s treatment will vary depending on their smile’s unique needs. Simple cases, such as minor misalignments, can be resolved in as little as a few months. More complex cases, such as severe crowding, may need treatment for several years. We’ll develop a personalized treatment plan for your child and give you an estimated timeline during your initial consultation.
Slight soreness or mild sensitivity is completely normal for a couple of days following adjustments to your aligners or braces. This temporary feeling simply shows that your jaw and teeth are adapting to their new alignment. Standard over-the-counter pain medication can easily help ease any minor tenderness.
Give Your Child a Smile to Grow With
As a parent, you want to know you’re making the right choices for your child’s health and happiness. If you’ve noticed concerns with their teeth or bite, you don’t have to figure out the next steps alone. Our team is here to answer your questions, guide you through your options, and help you understand what’s best for your child as they grow