Teen OrthodonticsIn San Juan Capistrano, CA
What is children’s orthodontics?
Children’s orthodontics is the focus of diagnosing, preventing, and treating misaligned teeth and jaw growth in growing kids and teens. Whether it’s correcting crowding, closing gaps, or improving the bite, orthodontic treatment helps create a healthier, more functional smile that lasts a lifetime.
Using tools like braces or clear aligners, we can gradually move the teeth into better positions—improving not just appearance, but also how your child eats, speaks, and cares for their smile. Every child is different, and orthodontics offers customized solutions to support confident, lifelong oral health.
What is children’s orthodontics?
Children’s orthodontics is the focus of diagnosing, preventing, and treating misaligned teeth and jaw growth in growing kids and teens. Whether it’s correcting crowding, closing gaps, or improving the bite, orthodontic treatment helps create a healthier, more functional smile that lasts a lifetime.
Using tools like braces or clear aligners, we can gradually move the teeth into better positions—improving not just appearance, but also how your child eats, speaks, and cares for their smile. Every child is different, and orthodontics offers customized solutions to support confident, lifelong oral health.
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The types of children's orthodontics
Space Maintainer
A space maintainer is a custom-made dental appliance, which allows preserves space for your child’s permanent tooth to erupt and properly come into place. Made of either acrylic or metal material, this appliance can be removable or cemented in your child's mouth.
Palatal Expander
Palatal expanders are metal or Invisalign expander options placed on the roof of your child’s mouth to gently widen the palate over time. These appliances expand narrow palates while aligning the upper teeth and jaw before it fully develops.
Braces
Made of medical-grade stainless steel brackets and archwires, braces apply light, targeted pressure to your child’s misaligned teeth, creating a strong straight smile over time.
Invisalign First
Phase 1 orthodontics, which begin between the ages of 7 and 10, can help set your child up for a lifetime of healthy smiles, and Invisalign First offers a comfortable, removable solution for your child’s orthodontic needs. Because the aligners are removable, they allow for easier brushing and flossing for better hygiene. Also, the absence of metal brackets and wires results in a more comfortable experience. As an added bonus, Invisalign First’s clear aligners can even help stop oral habits like tongue thrusting or thumb sucking. Schedule a consultation today to see if Invisalign First is right for your child!
Ceramic Braces
We offer ceramic braces as a more discreet, aesthetic option. These clear or tooth-colored brackets blend in naturally with your smile, making them a great choice for patients who want the effectiveness of traditional braces without the metallic look. Ceramic braces work just like metal ones but offer a more subtle appearance—perfect for teens and adults looking for a lower-profile treatment option.
Our Difference
How it works: The children’s orthodontics process
Consultation
At your consultation, your orthodontist will determine if treatment is necessary and beneficial for your child. First, your orthodontist will examine your child’s bite, dental arches, and teeth to check for early signs of tooth impaction, crowding, misalignment. We also look at soft tissue and check for any residual lip or tongue ties. Oral habits like nail biting, tongue thrusting, and thumb sucking are also checked. Your orthodontist will be sure to share helpful flossing and brushing techniques to ensure good oral hygiene and a successful treatment outcome for your child.
Digital Imaging
Your orthodontist will then take a series of digital x-rays, digital impressions, and photos will be taken to document your child’s facial profile. Each case is unique, so while some children benefit from a device used to maintain or move teeth and jaw positions, others see better results when some baby teeth are removed.
Placing Orthodontic Treatment
After gathering data and deciding on the best orthodontic treatment for your child, your orthodontist will securely place either a custom dental appliance or aligners into your child’s mouth. Once your child’s dental appliance, braces, or clear aligners are fixed, your orthodontist will check for proper fit to ensure maximum comfort.
Next Steps
Schedule a follow-up appointment with your child’s orthodontist every 6-8 weeks to monitor progress. Children’s orthodontic treatment depends on their unique needs, we'll keep you updated on progress during your check ins. We recommend maintaining regular oral hygiene and dental check-ups so your child can enjoy a strong, healthy smile for life.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out these frequently asked questions, or call us to speak with our team.
If your child shows one or more of the following signs and symptoms, they may be a good candidate for orthodontic treatment:
- Underbites
- Crossbites
- Crowded teeth
- Excessively gapped teeth
- Extra or missing teeth
- Thumb, finger, or pacifier sucking
Our team is happy to work directly with you and your child to assess these symptoms before they become severe issues over time
Early treatment can be in a patient’s best interest if their problem is one that could worsen over time and cause severe dental issues in adulthood if left untreated. The goal of children’s orthodontics is to recognize and eliminate these problems as early as possible, so a child’s teeth and jaw can properly grow and maintain space for incoming adult teeth.
While many orthodontic problems are inherited, some are caused by common habits over time, such as thumb sucking, finger sucking, or excessive pacifier use. Other factors such as mouth breathing, dental disease, abnormal swallowing, poor dental hygiene, or early or late loss of baby teeth, accidents, and poor nutrition can alter your child’s teeth and jaw alignment. No matter the cause, our team will cater to your child’s unique needs and teach them healthy habits for a lifetime of optimal oral health.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your child’s first check-up should take place before the age of 7 or any time an orthodontic issue is noticed before then. By the age of 7, your child’s mouth holds enough permanent teeth for an orthodontist to gain a strong understanding of your child’s mouth and jaws as they develop. This provides your orthodontist with plenty of information to give your child a tailored treatment.
The cost of children’s orthodontics is different for each patient. Factors that may affect the cost include the severity of your child’s teeth misalignment, appointment and visits, insurance type, and more. The best way to find out how much you’ll pay for your child’s care is to schedule a consultation with your orthodontist.
