Orthodontic care at Children's Dental Center is a natural extension of the dental care your child already receives. Our pediatric dental and orthodontic teams work closely together, allowing for seamless communication as we monitor your child's teeth, bite, jaws, and overall dental development.

With your child's pediatric dentist and orthodontist working together under one roof, families benefit from a connected approach to care in a place their child already knows and trusts.

From the first time we notice something worth monitoring to the day orthodontic treatment is complete, we want you to understand what comes next. Here is what your child's orthodontic journey may look like.

Step 1: Growth and Development Screening

For many children, the orthodontic conversation begins during a routine cleaning and examination at Children’s Dental Center.

As part of your child’s comprehensive dental care, we look at much more than cavities and clean teeth. At each visit, our team monitors your child’s facial growth, tooth eruption, bite development, and jaw growth.

Once your child’s first permanent molars have erupted, our team begins completing growth and development screenings. These screenings are consistent with recommendations from the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and help us recognize developing orthodontic concerns at an early stage.

For your convenience, growth and development screenings are incorporated into your child’s routine dental visits and there is no need to schedule a separate appointment. Because our pediatric dental and orthodontic teams work together, we also have the unique advantage of collaborating with our orthodontists when your child’s growth or development deserves a closer look.

Most children will not need orthodontic treatment right away. In many cases, the best approach is simply to continue monitoring as your child grows and more permanent teeth erupt. If we notice something that would benefit from a more detailed evaluation, we’ll talk with you about what we’re seeing and recommend an orthodontic consultation.

Step 2: Completing Your Child’s Orthodontic Patient Forms

Even if your child has been with us since their first tooth came in, orthodontic care requires a fresh set of paperwork.

Orthodontics involves a different set of medical considerations than routine pediatric dental care. Before your child meets with the orthodontist for the first time, we ask that every family complete a new patient packet specific to the orthodontic department. Some of the questions will look familiar. Others relate to factors such as breathing habits, jaw function, growth history, and medications that play an important role in how we evaluate and plan for your child's care.

Completing the forms carefully and thoroughly before the appointment gives the doctor the background needed to make the most of your time together. It is a small step that makes a real difference in the quality of the consultation.

Step 3: Your Child’s Orthodontic Consultation

The orthodontic consultation is your child’s first dedicated visit with our orthodontic team. 

Orthodontic consultations are complimentary and come with no obligation to begin treatment. This appointment gives you and your child an opportunity to meet our orthodontic team, learn more about your child’s dental development, and ask questions.

For added convenience, we offer both in-office and virtual orthodontic evaluations.

During your child’s consultation, we will:

• Review of your child’s medical and dental history
• Provide a thorough orthodontic examination
• Photographs, dental X-rays, and/or a 3D digital scan when needed
• Discuss of our findings and recommendations
• Review treatment options and timing, if orthodontic treatment is recommended