Orthodontics for Kids
in Sachse, TX
That Little Man or Little Lady
in your life is growing up
quicker than ever
As kids get older and start to lose their baby teeth, many parents wonder if the teeth are erupting correctly and about the right age for braces. While your child’s teeth might appear to be straight, there are some early problems which raise red flags.
Growth Guidance
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. At this stage, your child’s smile is still developing, which gives us the chance to monitor jaw growth, tooth eruption, and bite alignment early on.
Most children will not need braces right away. In many cases, orthodontic treatment begins once more permanent teeth have come in, usually around ages 11 to 13. However, some children may have growth, jaw, or bite concerns that are best addressed while they are still growing.
The Two-Phase
Approach
When a child has a jaw growth or bite development concern, the goal is not to place braces and keep them in treatment for years. Instead, we may recommend a two-phase orthodontic approach designed to address the right concerns at the right time.
Typical treatment time: 12-18 months
Phase 1 treatment focuses on guiding jaw growth and creating a healthier foundation for the permanent teeth. Depending on your child’s needs, this may include an expander, limited braces, or other orthodontic appliances.
The goal is to help widen the jaw, correct crossbites, improve bite function, and create the space needed for developing teeth. Think of this stage as preparing the foundation before the rest of the smile continues to grow.
After Phase 1 is complete, we pause active treatment. Appliances are removed, and your child’s remaining permanent teeth are given time to come in naturally.
During this stage, we continue to monitor growth and tooth eruption, usually with check-ins every 6 months. In many cases, the space created during Phase 1 allows the permanent teeth to move into a better position on their own, which can make future treatment simpler.
Typically during the teen years
Once most or all of the permanent teeth have come in, usually around age 12 or older, Phase 2 treatment may begin. This stage focuses on fine-tuning tooth alignment, bite balance, and the overall smile.
Because Phase 1 helped address the bigger growth concerns early, Phase 2 may be more efficient and less complex. In some cases, early treatment can also reduce the likelihood of needing permanent tooth extractions or more involved corrective treatment later on.
Pediatric Dentist vs. Orthodontist
While pediatric dentists and orthodontists both play an important role in your child’s oral health, their focus is different.
A pediatric dentist helps keep your child’s teeth and gums healthy by monitoring cavities, hygiene, gum health, and overall dental care.
An orthodontist focuses on how the teeth, jaws, and bite fit together. This includes guiding jaw growth, correcting bite concerns, and creating proper alignment as your child develops.
We work closely with pediatric dentists to support your child’s overall smile health. If you notice signs of crowding, crossbites, jaw shifting, or other bite concerns, you do not need a referral to schedule an orthodontic evaluation.
When to Schedule
an Orthodontic Exam
Some orthodontic concerns are easier to correct while your child is still growing. If you notice any of the signs below, it may be time to schedule an evaluation, regardless of your child’s age. A free orthodontic exam can help determine whether early treatment is recommended or if your child’s growth should simply be monitored.
- Crossbite
A crossbite can occur when the upper jaw is too narrow, causing the lower jaw to shift to one side when your child bites down. Over time, this can affect jaw growth and facial symmetry. - Protruding Front Teeth
When the upper front teeth stick out too far, they may be more vulnerable to injury during sports, play, or everyday accidents.
- Mouth Breathing
Mouth breathing may be connected to a narrow upper jaw or limited nasal airflow. In some cases, orthodontic expansion can help support better breathing, sleep, and overall function. - Thumb Sucking
If thumb sucking continues beyond age 5, it can affect the shape of the palate and the position of the front teeth.
- Early or Late Loss of Baby Teeth
Baby teeth that fall out too early or stay in place too long can interfere with how adult teeth come in. This may lead to crowding, blocked teeth, or eruption problems. - Crowding
If adult teeth are coming in sideways, overlapping, or unable to erupt properly, early treatment may help create the space needed for healthier development.
- Speech Challenges
Lisping or difficulty making certain sounds can sometimes be related to tongue posture, tongue thrusting, or bite alignment. - Difficulty Chewing
If your child shifts their jaw when chewing, bites their cheeks often, or has trouble biting into food, their bite may not be lining up properly.
Support their smile from the start.
An early orthodontic screening can help identify concerns before they become more complicated.
Give your child the benefit of a healthy foundation for future growth.
Kids Orthodontic
Treatment Options
Dr. Kapadia will perform an examination with easy x-rays and consult you and your child for the best treatment options. We want to make sure every child feels comfortable getting check-ups before treatment is needed. During consultation we will discuss the different options available to you.
No treatment needed. This is a very common option. An early check-up is great to make sure all things are in order. Most kids only need observation or recall appointments. This is the time to let Mother Nature take care of things. Check-ups every 6 months will be essential during this time.
In some cases, removal of a stubborn baby tooth can prevent future crowding issues. In other cases, a baby tooth must be removed to allow the permanent tooth to erupt at the correct position. On the contrary, if a baby tooth is lost prematurely, we can provide a space maintainer till a permanent tooth erupts there.
This involves use of short term braces, expanders, or habit breaking appliances if a child needs early treatment. Once the early orthodontic problem at hand is resolved, braces are removed. The child’s teeth are monitored until all adult teeth erupt. Phase 1 braces are typically followed by normal teen/ adult braces. At that stage, typically 10-13 years, we can discuss comprehensive treatment. Phase 1 treatment may even shorten comprehensive treatment in some cases.
7 is the right age
for an Orthodontic Check-Up!
The reasons for this examination are:
- Their permanent molars and front teeth start erupting around age 7.
- Early problems in teeth eruption such as crowding, crossbite, jaw shifts, and habits can be detected and, if needed, corrected
Have kids age 7 & up?
Join our kids club!
- Free orthodontic growth checkups every 6 months
- Access to fun office contests
- Prizes and giveaways
- No insurance billed!
We recommend check-ups twice a year.
These semi-annual check-ups are always FREE so we can monitor closely the child's progress and plan ahead.
Smile Brite Orthodontics and the AAO do not advocate comprehensive or complete treatment at this age. If no evaluation is made at that age, then we would miss a window of troubleshooting opportunity.