When it comes to keeping your child’s smile healthy and happy, there’s a lot to think about—especially as those baby teeth start to make way for permanent ones. At Saddle Creek Orthodontics, we’re proud to offer a range of treatments for younger patients, all in a fun and welcoming environment. In this ultimate guide to orthodontic treatment options for kids, we’ll go over the what, the why, the when, and the how of early orthodontic options.
Early Orthodontic Treatment: The What, The Why, & The When
Did you know orthodontic treatment isn’t just for teens with braces or adults hopping on the Invisalign trend? Kids can—and should—get in on the action, too! Early orthodontic treatment is like giving your child’s smile a little VIP treatment to give it the best possible foundation to grow.
By age 7, most kids have a mix of baby and permanent teeth, making it the perfect time for an orthodontist to check how everything is coming together. If need be, we can interrupt the development of already present issues or plan for potential problems that might not be obvious yet. (If you want to know more about the benefits of early orthodontic treatment, leave us a comment on Instagram or Facebook; it might be the next blog topic!)
Because children’s bones are still developing, they’re pliable, making preventable and interceptive treatment possible and the ideal choice for young patients. However, not every child needs to begin care in childhood. Most can wait until they’re in their teens, but the most accurate way to know if your child would benefit from early treatment is to have them evaluated by an orthodontist by age seven. Orthodontists like Dr. Kyle and Dr. John at Saddle Creek Orthodontics have more training and experience in identifying malocclusions than parents and pediatric dentists.
So, even if you haven’t received a referral from your child’s dentist or you don’t see anything outwardly “off” with their bite, we still recommend a consultation. They’re a free, quick, and easy way to get peace of mind and set your child’s smile up for lifelong success.
Early Orthodontic Treatment: The How
Now, let’s get into the real reason why you started reading a blog called “The Ultimate Guide to Orthodontic Treatment Options for Kids!” Let’s check out the different ways we can transform the precious grins of your greatest treasures.
The process starts with a consultation, during which the orthodontist uses tools like X-rays, digital scans, and a good old-fashioned look into our crystal ball (kidding—but knowing what your child’s alignment could look like without treatment is a special skill orthodontists have) to get a full picture of what’s going on beneath the surface.
If your child does not need to begin treatment right away, we’ll continue to monitor their alignment as they grow so we can intervene at the most opportune time. Like when you’re watching an action-packed movie and the group leader keeps saying, “Wait, wait, not yet…CHARGE!” If they went too early or too late, things might not have ended so great.
For children who do need some care now, we will likely utilize one or more of the following:
Braces
Braces are the tried-and-true tool for fixing alignment and bite issues because they’re durable and effective for various orthodontic concerns. A bonus benefit of the ol’ bracket-and-wire approach is that kids love customizing things, so it’s safe to say they think it’s pretty fun to mix and match colorful bands that show off their personality.
Palatal Expanders
Expanders do exactly what their name suggests—they gently widen the upper jaw to make room for teeth and improve alignment.
We know that might sound scary or painful, but we promise it’s not! Let’s go back to our movie cliche example. You know those scenes where a character is clinging to their support system, terrified to fall, only to find out they were inches from the ground already? That’s how most parents and kids feel about expanders—intimidated at first, but once they’re in place, you’ll wonder what all the fuss was about.
Most kids adapt to their expander quickly, and because it works gradually, there’s no pain involved—just steady, delicate progress that brings them one step closer to a straighter, healthier smile!
Space Maintainers
Losing baby teeth too early can cause trouble for permanent teeth later, and that’s where space maintainers come in. These little devices act like traffic directors, keeping the gap open so the adult tooth has room to come in properly. Without them, surrounding teeth might drift into the open space, creating alignment problems. Space maintainers are simple, but they play an important role in keeping things on track for a healthy, aligned smile down the road.
Spacers
When teeth are packed in like sardines, spacers are here to save the day! These tiny devices are placed between molars to gently create extra room in a crowded mouth. Think of them as the orthodontic version of pulling out an extra chair at a packed dinner table—it makes things way more comfortable and functional.
Spacers are often used to prepare kids for appliances like braces or expanders. Crowding is super common, and spacers help make sure everything has enough room to fit without forcing or over-complicating things. They work quickly—usually within a week or so—and do their job with minimal fuss.
Schedule Your Child’s Free Smile Assessment Today!
Saddle Creek Orthodontics, located in Germantown and Collierville, is here to make orthodontic care easy and stress-free for patients of all ages. To discover if your child could benefit from a personalized orthodontic treatment plan or smile monitoring, please schedule a free consultation with Dr. Kyle or Dr. John at Saddle Creek Orthodontics today. We’d be happy to answer all your questions at a 0-pressure, no-commitment appointment.
We hope to see you soon! In the meantime, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube to learn more about us and orthodontic care.