Orthodontics for Kids
Healthy growth, happy visits, confident smiles.
An early orthodontic check helps us understand how your child's teeth and jaws are developing. Many children do not need treatment right away, but the right evaluation can help us identify concerns early and recommend care at the best time.
Why Age Seven Matters
An early check does not always mean early treatment.
Around age seven, many children have a useful mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth. This gives the orthodontic team an opportunity to assess jaw growth, eruption patterns and bite development while there is still time to monitor or guide growth when appropriate.
- Check how the upper and lower jaws fit together
- Look for crowding, crossbites and eruption concerns
- Discuss thumb sucking, tongue habits or prolonged pacifier use
- Identify teeth that may be blocked or developing out of position
- Decide whether observation or early treatment is appropriate
Importance of an Orthodontic Checkup at Age 7 and Up
Early guidance can make a lasting difference.
A first orthodontic checkup around age seven gives families valuable information, even when no treatment is needed right away. As children grow, continued observation can help us time care more effectively and support healthier dental development.
Smile Watch
We follow growth and recommend treatment at the right time.
Many children enter our Smile Watch program after the first evaluation. This means we monitor development without starting treatment until there is a clear benefit.
Common Orthodontic Concerns in Children
Small signs can tell us a lot about growth.
Every child develops differently. An orthodontic evaluation helps determine whether a concern needs treatment, monitoring or simply more time.
Crossbite
Some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth, which may affect jaw movement, tooth wear or facial balance.
Crowding
There may not be enough space for permanent teeth to erupt into healthy positions.
Open bite
The front teeth may not meet when the back teeth are together, sometimes affecting speech or biting.
Underbite
The lower front teeth sit ahead of the upper teeth, often reflecting a jaw growth difference.
Deep bite
The upper teeth overlap the lower teeth too much, which may contribute to wear or gum irritation.
Eruption concerns
Permanent teeth may be delayed, blocked, impacted or developing away from the ideal path.
What Early Treatment May Accomplish
Guide growth while a child's smile is still developing.
When early treatment is appropriate, the goal is usually to address a specific growth, bite or eruption concern. It is not intended to replace every future stage of orthodontic care.
- Correct selected crossbites
- Create space for incoming permanent teeth
- Reduce crowding that blocks eruption
- Improve selected facial asymmetries
- Address oral habits such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting
- Lower the risk of tooth impaction or damage
- Make future orthodontic treatment more straightforward
A Kid Friendly Experience
Comfort, confidence and healthy habits.
We explain things in a way children can understand and encourage them to become active participants in caring for their smiles.
Build healthy routines
Brushing, flossing and keeping dental visits help protect growing smiles before, during and after orthodontic care.
Celebrate progress
Positive encouragement helps children feel proud of their appointments, appliances and daily care.
Make treatment approachable
Our team answers questions, introduces new steps gradually and helps children feel at ease in the office.
What Parents Can Expect
A simple first step with no referral needed.
Request a FREE consultation
Choose an in person or virtual consultation and tell us about your child's main concerns.
Meet the orthodontic team
We assess growth, bite development and tooth eruption, then explain what we see in clear language.
Receive a personalized plan
Your child may need treatment, Smile Watch monitoring or no orthodontic care at this time.
Kids Orthodontic FAQ
Questions parents often ask.
At this age, enough permanent teeth may be present to evaluate eruption, jaw growth and bite development. The visit often leads to observation rather than immediate treatment.
No. Many children are placed in Smile Watch and monitored as they grow. Treatment is recommended only when there is a meaningful reason to begin.
Phase One is early orthodontic treatment provided while a child still has a mix of baby and permanent teeth. It focuses on a specific growth, bite or eruption concern.
Prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use can influence tooth position and jaw development in some children. We can evaluate the bite and discuss supportive ways to stop the habit.
No. Parents may request a free consultation directly. Second opinions are also welcome.
We accept all insurance plans and assist with benefit verification, preauthorizations and claim paperwork.
Start With a Complimentary Check
Give your child a confident start.
FREE in person and virtual consultations are available. No dental referral is needed, all insurance plans are accepted, second opinions are welcome and evening appointments are available.