Children & Teen Orthodontics
Children and teens are still growing, making this an important time to assess tooth alignment, bite development, and jaw growth. An early orthodontic assessment allows us to monitor development and determine whether treatment may be beneficial.
We provide personalized orthodontic treatment for children and teens, including Invisalign® clear aligners, traditional braces, and growth-guidance appliances.
Treatment is selected based on each child’s age, dental development, bite, growth, and individual needs.
Invisalign® First｜6 to 10 years old
Phase 1 orthodontic treatment is early orthodontic care provided during childhood, typically while a child has a combination of baby teeth and permanent teeth. The treatment focuses on developing tooth alignment and bite concerns and works with the child’s growth and development to address specific orthodontic needs.
Phase 1 treatment may include Invisalign® First, traditional braces, or other orthodontic appliances, depending on the child’s individual needs.
After Phase 1 treatment, some children may require Phase 2 orthodontic treatment once their permanent teeth have fully erupted.
Invisalign® for Teens｜Mandibular Advancement & Invisalign® Palatal Expander
Invisalign® is designed to help teenagers improve tooth alignment and bite while allowing them to maintain their usual daily routines.
For growing teens with specific bite or arch-development concerns, Invisalign® treatment may incorporate Mandibular Advancement or an Invisalign® Palatal Expander, depending on their individual orthodontic needs.
Mandibular Advancement may be used to address certain Class II bite concerns during growth. A Class II bite is a type of bite where the lower jaw sits further back than the upper jaw.
Invisalign® Palatal Expander is designed to help gradually expand the upper dental arch and create additional space for developing permanent teeth. It may be recommended for growing children and teens with a narrow upper arch or limited space for developing teeth, depending on their individual orthodontic needs.
Your dentist will assess your teen’s teeth, bite, and growth and development to determine whether these treatment options are appropriate.
Orthodontic Appliances
Depending on the child’s age, growth, and orthodontic needs, treatment may include:
Carriere Motion Appliance
A Carriere Motion Appliance is an orthodontic appliance that may be used to help improve certain bite and tooth alignment concerns, particularly during early orthodontic treatment. It works by helping guide the position of the back teeth and improve the relationship between the upper and lower teeth.
Facemask
A facemask may be recommended for selected growing patients to help address certain underbite (Class III) and jaw relationship concerns. A Class III bite, commonly known as an underbite, occurs when the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth when the mouth is closed. Treatment is planned according to the child’s growth, bite, and individual orthodontic needs.
Rapid Palatal Expander (RPE)
A Rapid Palatal Expander (RPE) is used in appropriate growing patients to widen the upper dental arch. It may be recommended when there is insufficient upper arch width or certain bite concerns.
Depending on the individual case, treatment may involve Invisalign® clear aligners, traditional braces, Carriere Motion, a facemask, RPE, or a combination of orthodontic treatments and appliances.