Orthodontic Evaluation

At Bright Healthy Smiles, we’re excited to help your child achieve a healthy, beautiful smile! Our orthodontic evaluation is an essential first step in understanding your child’s unique dental needs and developing a personalized treatment plan. Here’s what you can expect from the process.

First Visit: What to Expect

During your child’s first orthodontic consultation, the orthodontist will take time to get to know both you and your child. This appointment is a chance to discuss your goals and expectations for treatment. The orthodontist will conduct a thorough clinical examination and may recommend orthodontic records if your child is ready to begin treatment. These records may include:

X-rays
Photographs
A 3D scan of your child’s teeth

These diagnostic tools allow us to analyze your child’s current dental situation and develop a comprehensive, customized treatment plan.

Early “Phase I” Treatment

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. This early visit helps us assess growth and development, ensuring we catch potential issues early on.

Phase I treatment typically occurs between ages 7 and 9, when many children still have baby teeth. Early intervention may be necessary to:

Guide the eruption of permanent teeth
Guide jaw growth
Prevent future dental problems

By addressing orthodontic needs early, we can help streamline treatment once all of your child’s permanent teeth have emerged, setting the stage for a smoother and more effective orthodontic experience.

Comprehensive “Phase II” Treatment

Once your child’s permanent teeth have fully emerged, they’re ready for comprehensive orthodontic treatment. Phase II focuses not just on aligning teeth, but also on shaping the development of the jaws and facial structures to ensure a functional and harmonious bite.

At Bright Healthy Smiles, we offer a variety of treatment options to suit your child’s needs and preferences, including:

Metal Braces
Ceramic Braces
Invisalign® (clear aligners)
Functional Appliances

Our orthodontic team works closely with you to create a treatment plan that will help your child achieve a confident, healthy smile.

Space Maintainers

If your child loses a baby tooth prematurely due to decay, injury, or other reasons, we may recommend a space maintainer. These small, custom-made appliances help hold the space for the adult tooth that will eventually replace the lost baby tooth.

Space maintainers ensure that the adult teeth have enough room to erupt properly, preventing misalignment in the future.

Adult Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontics isn’t just for children! We are proud to offer comprehensive orthodontic care for adults as well. In fact, many parents of our younger patients choose to undergo their own orthodontic treatment at Bright Healthy Smiles.

We understand how busy life can be, which is why we’re happy to coordinate both your child’s and your own orthodontic appointments on the same day, making it easier for the entire family to get the care they need under one roof.

Comprehensive Care Under One Roof

At Bright Healthy Smiles, we offer a seamless experience where pediatric dentistry and orthodontics are integrated. This makes it easy for us to continuously monitor your child’s development, from early evaluations to final treatment, ensuring the most efficient and timely care.

We’re dedicated to providing your family with the highest level of orthodontic care in a warm, welcoming environment.