Kids’ orthodontics
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 your Arlington or Herndon pediatric orthodontist to diagnose and correct any potentially severe orthodontic issues sooner and without surgery.
Early orthodontic treatment
Early orthodontic 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 orthodontic treatment allows your pediatric 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
Signs your child needs to see a pediatric orthodontist
Even if your kid’s teeth look straight, they could have signs of a potential future orthodontic problem.
We recommend scheduling a complimentary orthodontic evaluation with our pediatric orthodontists in Arlington and Herndon to see if kids’ braces may be needed If your child approaching the age of seven or older has any of these issues:
- 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
Metal braces
These are what you typically picture when you think of braces. Made of durable stainless steel, traditional metal braces are an excellent choice for your kids’ braces in Arlington or Herndon. Kids love choosing their braces colors with rubber bands they can switch out at each appointment 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, our clear braces for kids can still correct many of the same issues as metal braces can more discreetly. Clear braces are most popular with older kids and teens.
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 your child’s teeth into proper growth positions. Invisalign for kids is a removable, comfortable and convenient orthodontic treatment option.
How much do braces cost for kids?
The average cost of braces for kids in Arlington or Herndon, Virginia, depends on their specific needs and the kids’ braces option chosen. TBraces strives to make orthodontic treatment accessible to everyone, so we offer payment plans and accept most credit cards and dental insurance plans. At your free consultation, we can provide an accurate kids’ braces cost estimate once we’ve evaluated your child’s teeth.
