Orthodontics for children
What age do kids get braces?
While there is no exact age requirement for children to begin orthodontic treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends visiting an orthodontist for kids around age seven. By this age, most children have a mix of baby and adult teeth, making it easier for the orthodontist to diagnose and correct tooth and jaw problems sooner and without surgery.
Early treatment
Early treatment (also called Two-Phase treatment) allows our family orthodontists to monitor the growth of the jaw and recommend further orthodontic treatment if necessary. Only some patients need early (Phase One) orthodontic treatment. Some patients may need to wait for (Phase Two) treatment, like braces until more adult teeth come in. Visiting an orthodontist for an initial evaluation is vital for ensuring a plan is in place for the proper growth of your child’s teeth.
Visit our kids’ orthodontist near you in Arlington or Herndon, Virginia!
Early treatment allows your orthodontist to:
- Correct and guide the growth of your child’s jaw to help the permanent teeth come in straight
- Regulate the width of the upper and lower arches
- Create more space for crowded teeth
- Avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions later in life
- Correct thumb sucking and help improve minor speech problems
For parents, it’s not always easy to know if a child may need orthodontic treatment.
Here are a few things to look for that may mean your child needs to see an orthodontist:
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- A hard time chewing or biting food
- Mouth breathing
- Finger or thumb sucking
- Crowded, misplaced, or blocked teeth
- Jaws that pop or make sounds when opening and closing
- Teeth that come together abnormally or do not come together at all
- Jaws and teeth that are not proportionate to the rest of the face
- Crowded front teeth around age seven or eight
Traditional metal braces
These are what you typically picture when you think of braces. Made of durable stainless steel, these are an excellent choice of braces for kids. Kids love choosing colorful rubber bands to add personal style and flair to their braces!
Clear braces
Clear braces are less durable than metal braces as they are made of ceramic material. However, they can still correct many of the same issues more discreetly.
Invisalign® First
We offer Invisalign for kids in Arlington and Herndon with Invisalign® First clear aligners. These are great for Phase One treatment patients and help guide teeth into proper growth positions.
How much do braces cost for kids?
The cost of braces for kids depends on their specific orthodontic treatment and needs. Our office strives to make orthodontic treatment accessible to everyone, so we offer payment plans and accept most credit cards and insurance plans. Once we’ve evaluated your child’s teeth, we can provide an accurate treatment cost.