About Child Orthodontics
Your Guide to Child Orthodontics
To bite and chew properly, your child needs teeth that work together — making orthodontic treatment a critical part of their oral health care. Orthodontic issues left untreated in childhood often become significantly more complex and costly to address in adulthood.
The AAO recommends children complete their first orthodontic check-up by age 7. At this age, children have a mix of baby and permanent teeth, giving the orthodontist a comprehensive view of how the jaw and teeth are developing — and whether any intervention is needed.
Orthodontic treatment not only gives your child a beautiful smile — it sets the stage for a lifetime of healthy teeth and optimal jaw function.
Warning Signs
Signs Your Child May Need Orthodontic Care
To determine if your child needs to see an orthodontist, watch for these warning signs. Many can appear as early as age 5 or 6 — and early recognition leads to the most efficient, effective treatment.
Early or Late Loss of Baby Teeth
While some variation is normal, losing baby teeth too early or too late can create problems with the permanent teeth replacing them. An orthodontist is an expert in recognizing and treating adverse variations that could affect long-term alignment and spacing.
Difficulty Chewing or Biting
Eating should never hurt. Although some discomfort is typical when teething, painful or difficult chewing may indicate an underlying orthodontic problem. Bite irregularities that impair chewing function should be evaluated and addressed promptly.
Mouth Breathing
Chronic mouth breathing in children can cause or worsen a range of orthodontic problems — including narrowing of the upper arch, open bite, and altered jaw development. Your child's orthodontist can address and correct these issues before they become structural.
Jaws Shifting or Clicking
Shifting of the lower jaw due to a bite problem can lead to jaw pain and other dental consequences over time. Orthodontists are experts in evaluating how teeth come together and can ensure your child's jaws are aligned correctly to prevent chronic TMJ issues.
Cheek Biting
With a normal bite, the outer cusps of the upper teeth hold the cheeks away from the lower chewing surfaces. If your child constantly bites their cheeks, it may indicate a malocclusion where the upper and lower teeth are not fitting together properly during chewing.
Facial Imbalance
The underlying teeth and jaws directly affect the appearance of the lips, chin, and other facial features. If your child's jaw is misaligned, the imbalance can impact their face shape and appearance long-term. An orthodontist can expertly align the jaw to prevent this and avoid future health complications.
First Visit
Your Child's First Orthodontic Exam
The AAO recommends children first visit an orthodontist no later than age 7. The mix of baby and permanent teeth present at this age allows the orthodontist to recognize orthodontic problems — "malocclusions" — even in their earliest stages, when intervention is most effective and least invasive.
Five essential questions are generally addressed during the first exam:
Is there an orthodontic problem, and if so, what is it?
What are the available treatment options?
How long is the recommended treatment expected to take?
How much will the recommended treatment cost?
What are the risks of delaying or not pursuing treatment at this stage?
Treatment Options
Orthodontic Treatment Options for Children
Modern orthodontics offers a range of clinically proven solutions tailored to growing patients. Your orthodontist will recommend the most appropriate option based on your child's age, condition, and developmental stage.
BRACES
Composed of brackets bonded to teeth and archwires that guide tooth movement. The gold standard for comprehensive correction across the full range of malocclusion severity — suitable for children at any stage of development.
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ALIGNERS
Clear, thin, plastic-like trays custom-formed to fit an individual's teeth. Patients are responsible for insertion and removal. Best suited for older children and teenagers with mild to moderate alignment needs.
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RETAINERS
Removable, clear, slightly flexible appliances that fit the exact shape and placement of the teeth. Used after active treatment to maintain the corrected tooth positions and prevent relapse during continued growth.
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MOUTHGUARDS
Custom-fitted mouthguards protect teeth and orthodontic appliances during competitive and individual sporting activities. Essential for active children in braces — protecting both their dentition and their treatment investment.
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ORTHODONTIC SURGERY
Surgical orthodontics — also called orthognathic surgery — is corrective jaw surgery performed to remedy skeletal problems affecting the ability to bite, chew, and speak. Typically performed after jaw growth is complete.
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MARPE
A non-surgical alternative for adults with a narrow upper arch. MARPE uses miniscrews to achieve skeletal palatal expansion — previously only possible in growing patients — with predictable, stable results.
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TAD
Titanium alloy mini-screws temporarily inserted into the jawbone to serve as a fixed anchorage point. TADs allow orthodontists to move teeth in directions and magnitudes previously requiring surgical intervention.
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MARA
A fixed functional appliance used primarily to correct Class II malocclusions (overbites) by repositioning the lower jaw forward. MARA works continuously — it does not rely on patient compliance for activation.
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The Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment
Starting orthodontic treatment at the right time — while your child is still growing — delivers advantages that simply cannot be replicated in adulthood.
Guides Jaw Growth Proactively
During childhood, the jaw is still developing and malleable. Orthodontic appliances can guide jaw growth in the right direction — creating space for permanent teeth and correcting skeletal discrepancies non-surgically.
Reduces Risk of Trauma to Protruding Teeth
Children with severely protruding upper front teeth are at significantly higher risk of dental trauma from falls and accidents. Early treatment reduces protrusion and protects the dentition.
Corrects Harmful Oral Habits
Thumb sucking, prolonged pacifier use, and tongue thrusting can all deform the developing jaw and teeth. Orthodontic appliances can help break these habits and reverse early damage while the jaw is still responsive.
Improves Self-Esteem During Formative Years
Children who feel confident in their smile participate more actively in social settings and school. Correcting visible dental problems during childhood supports healthy self-image during critical developmental years.
Simplifies or Shortens Future Treatment
Phase 1 (interceptive) treatment often makes Phase 2 treatment significantly shorter and less complex — or in some cases, unnecessary. Addressing problems early is almost always more efficient than waiting.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about your child's orthodontic care are natural. Here are the most common concerns parents bring to their first consultation.
Schedule Your Child's Consultation
Give Your Child the Best Start with Brentwood Smiles
A comprehensive orthodontic evaluation is the first step toward your child's healthiest smile. Our board-certified orthodontist will assess your child's bite, jaw development, and tooth alignment — and provide a clear, honest treatment recommendation tailored to their age and needs. First check-ups are complimentary.
