Early Orthodontic Treatment With A Pediatric Orthodontist

Why Choose a Pediatric Orthodontist?

At Aubrey Barrett Orthodontics, we specialize in early orthodontic care designed to address dental issues before they become more complex. As a trusted pediatric orthodontist Dr. Barrett provides gentle, proactive treatment to help guide your child’s smile as they grow.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child receive their first orthodontic screening by age 7. Early evaluations allow us to detect potential problems with jaw growth and tooth development, ensuring your child’s smile stays healthy and beautiful.

brother and sister smiling in need of early orthodontic treatment by a pediatric orthodontist

Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment

Starting orthodontic treatment at a young age can:

Guide Jaw Growth:

Helps correct issues with jaw development to create a balanced facial structure.

Create Space for Erupting Teeth:

Prevents crowding and allows teeth to come in properly.

Improve Bite Alignment:

Addresses overbites, underbites, and crossbites before they cause more serious issues.

Reduce the Need for Tooth Extractions:

By addressing alignment issues early, we can often avoid more invasive procedures later.

Shorten Future Treatment Time:

Early intervention can make future braces or aligner treatment faster and more efficient.

What to Expect During Your Child’s First Visit

When you bring your child to see Dr. Barrett for an early orthodontic consultation, we’ll:

  1. Evaluate Jaw and Tooth Development: We’ll assess how your child’s teeth are coming in and whether there are any early signs of crowding, spacing, or bite problems.
  2. Identify Potential Issues: We’ll check for common orthodontic concerns like overbites, underbites, open bites, and crossbites.
  3. Recommend Next Steps: If treatment isn’t needed right away, we’ll monitor your child’s growth and development with periodic checkups. If early intervention is necessary, we’ll create a customized treatment plan tailored to your child’s needs.
young girl in dental chair ready for her early orthodontic exam by a pediatric orthodontist

Types of Early Orthodontic Treatments

Every child is unique, and Dr. Barrett will create a personalized treatment plan that ensures the best possible results. Early orthodontic treatment may include:

coral palate expander icon

Widens the upper jaw and creates space for erupting teeth.

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Space Maintainers

Preserves space for permanent teeth if baby teeth are lost early.

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Corrects specific alignment issues in the front teeth.

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Removable Appliances

Guides jaw growth and corrects minor issues.

Is Early Treatment Right for Your Child?

All children are different and may not need early orthodontic treatment, but an evaluation by a pediatric orthodontist can give you peace of mind. Early assessments help us catch potential issues before they become more complex—saving time, money, and discomfort in the future.

Schedule Your Child’s Free Orthodontic Consultation Today!

Give your child the best start to a healthy, confident smile. Schedule a FREE consultation at our El Cerrito or Pittsburg, CA offices today!