What is pediatric orthodontics?

Pediatric orthodontics focuses on guiding the growth and development of a child’s teeth and jaws. It helps identify bite or spacing problems early—often before all the permanent teeth come in—so treatment can be simpler and more effective later on.

At what age should my child see an orthodontist?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have their first orthodontic checkup by age 7. At this age, a pediatric orthodontist can see how the permanent teeth are coming in and catch issues like crossbites, crowding, or early tooth loss before they become harder to correct.

Does my child need braces right away?

Not always. Many children only need regular monitoring. If early signs of misalignment or bite concerns are present, we may recommend Phase 1 (early interceptive) treatment to guide jaw growth and create room for permanent teeth, often reducing future treatment needs.

What is Phase 1 orthodontic treatment?

Phase 1, or early interceptive treatment, is designed to correct developing jaw or bite problems while a child is still growing. Treatment may involve a palatal expander, partial braces, or other appliances that gently guide proper development.

What is a palatal expander and how does it work?

A palatal expander is an appliance that gradually widens the upper jaw before the bones fuse during puberty. This creates more space for permanent teeth, helps fix crossbites, and can even improve breathing. Expansion usually takes a few months and feels like gentle pressure rather than pain.

How long does early orthodontic treatment take?

Every child’s situation is different, but Phase 1 treatment usually lasts 9–18 months. Afterward, we monitor growth until the rest of the adult teeth come in, at which point Phase 2 (comprehensive braces) may be needed to perfect alignment.

What happens if we delay treatment?

Delaying recommended pediatric orthodontic treatment can allow spacing or bite issues to worsen, which may mean longer treatment times or even surgical options later. Early care is almost always simpler, more comfortable, and less expensive.

How can I help my child feel comfortable about orthodontic visits?

We make appointments fun and positive. Parents can help by framing orthodontic care as a step toward confidence and a healthy smile rather than something scary or serious. Let your child know we’re here to help them smile bigger, not to lecture them.

Kids’ Orthodontics

Kids' orthodontist in Duncanville & Grand Prairie, Texas

Early treatment is one of the best ways to help your child’s smile last a lifetime. At Henderson Orthodontics, we want to catch your child’s bite issues as early as possible to improve their smile for years to come.

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Pediatric Orthodontics in Grand Prairie & Duncanville, TX

At Henderson Orthodontics, we provide gentle, research-based pediatric orthodontic care for growing smiles in Grand Prairie and Duncanville. Whether your child needs early monitoring, a palate expander, or braces for kids, our team creates personalized plans that support healthy jaw development and confident smiles.

Benefits of Early Prevention & Pediatric Orthodontic Care

While every child develops differently, the first permanent molars usually emerge around ages six to seven. These molars help establish the backbite, which is why the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children see a pediatric orthodontist by age 7. An early orthodontic evaluation lets Dr. Henderson identify issues—like crowding, crossbite, or an emerging overbite—when treatment is simplest.

Early prevention, sometimes called Phase 1 (early) treatment, can reduce the need for more extensive procedures later by:

Creating room for incoming permanent teeth
Encouraging balanced facial growth and symmetry
Lowering injury risk from protruding front teeth

Many children won’t need immediate treatment. In those cases, we provide growth and development checkups—tracking changes so we can begin care at the ideal time for the best results.

Our Pediatric Orthodontic Services

Our approach focuses on prevention, timing, and comfort. At some visits we may simply monitor your child’s bite and jaw development. When early intervention is recommended, one of the most common appliances we use is a palatal expander. Because the upper jaw consists of two halves that fuse after puberty, expanders gently widen the palate during childhood to correct bite problems and make space for permanent teeth.

Palatal expansion can help with:

Crossbite (upper teeth bite inside lower teeth)
Crowding (not enough room for teeth to align)
Impacted teeth (teeth blocked from erupting)

Each expander is custom-made and has two metal halves connected by a small screw. A parent or caregiver turns the screw a tiny amount each day with a special key, creating gentle tension that guides the bones to widen gradually. During the first few days, children may notice:

Mild soreness or pressure after adjustments
Temporary changes in speech or chewing
Increased saliva production

Learn more about our approach to palatal expanders.

Kids Braces

Braces for kids can guide developing teeth and jaws into healthier positions. We offer children’s braces in Grand Prairie and Duncanville, making treatment convenient for busy families.

Why Do Kids Get Braces?

We recommend an orthodontic checkup around age seven. At this early age, we can spot small issues before they become bigger problems. Braces or other pediatric orthodontic appliances may be recommended if your child experiences:

Speech impediments
Chewing or biting difficulties
Teeth crowding or spacing concerns
Crossbite, overbite, or underbite
Impacted teeth
Thumb sucking or prolonged pacifier use
Tongue thrusting
Habitual mouth breathing

Why Your Child Might Need Braces

The most common reason is effective early intervention. If we identify spacing, bite, or jaw growth concerns, early care can simplify future treatment and may help avoid more invasive procedures. Some issues stem from habits (thumb sucking, mouth breathing), while others relate to genetics, tooth size/shape, or past injuries.

Kids’ braces can:

Save money long-term: Addressing problems early may prevent costlier treatment later.

Make puberty more comfortable: Balanced jaw development can reduce orthodontic “growing pains.”

Prevent long-term issues: Early treatment can reduce risks of severe bite problems, uneven wear, or gum concerns.

Our Braces for Kids

Because every child’s needs are unique, we create individualized plans. Some children benefit from partial braces to focus on specific areas with early crowding or bite concerns. Others may need full braces on the upper and lower teeth for a set period. After active treatment, we provide a retainer to help maintain the result while your child continues to grow.

Other Available Treatments

When jaw width or spacing is the priority, we may recommend a palatal expander. Expansion can improve airflow, reduce crowding, and support a broader, more harmonious smile—often limiting the need for tooth removal later.

Two-Phase Orthodontic Treatment

Two-phase treatment coordinates jaw growth and tooth alignment for a balanced, healthy bite. This approach is common in pediatric orthodontics when we want to take advantage of growth during childhood, then fine-tune alignment when the permanent teeth arrive.

The Benefits of Two-Phase Treatment

Create a strong foundation: Guide jaw growth early to support healthy eruption of permanent teeth.
Correct multiple issues: Address crowding, crossbite/overbite/underbite, and arch width at the right times.
Plan ahead: Monitoring between phases helps us time braces (or aligners) for efficient, predictable results.

The Typical Two-Phase Process

Phase One (Early/Interceptive Care)
Focuses on jaw growth and bite correction while your child is still developing. The AAO recommends the first visit by age seven; Phase One typically lasts about 9–18 months, depending on the goals.

Resting Period
We pause active treatment to allow remaining permanent teeth to erupt. Retainers may be used to maintain improvements and guide eruption. This period can last until most adult teeth are in place.

Phase Two (Comprehensive Alignment)
Once the permanent teeth have erupted (often around ages 11–12), braces fine-tune alignment and bite. Phase Two typically takes 12–20 months, depending on the case.

What If You Delay Treatment?

Delaying needed two-phase orthodontic treatment can allow problems to worsen, sometimes requiring longer or more complex care later. In severe cases, surgical options may become more likely. Timely pediatric orthodontic care can keep treatment simpler and more comfortable.

Why Choose Henderson Orthodontics?

We understand that an orthodontic visit isn’t always a child’s favorite after-school activity. That’s why we make every experience positive, personal, and kid-friendly. Our individualized approach—rooted in early detection, thoughtful timing, and gentle techniques—helps children feel confident at every step.

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FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Pediatric Orthodontics

Parents often have questions about when to start orthodontic care and what to expect from early treatment. These FAQs cover the most common topics we discuss with families—everything from the right age for a first visit to how pediatric orthodontics can help growing smiles develop in the healthiest way possible.

Pediatric orthodontics focuses on guiding the growth and development of a child’s teeth and jaws. It helps identify bite or spacing problems early—often before all the permanent teeth come in—so treatment can be simpler and more effective later on.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have their first orthodontic checkup by age 7. At this age, a pediatric orthodontist can see how the permanent teeth are coming in and catch issues like crossbites, crowding, or early tooth loss before they become harder to correct.
Not always. Many children only need regular monitoring. If we see early signs of misalignment or bite concerns, we may recommend Phase 1 (early interceptive) treatment to guide jaw growth and create room for permanent teeth. This can often reduce or simplify future treatment.
Phase 1, or early interceptive treatment, is designed to correct developing jaw or bite problems while a child is still growing. Treatment might involve a palatal expander, partial braces, or other appliances that gently guide proper development.
A palatal expander is an appliance that gradually widens the upper jaw before the bones fuse during puberty. This creates more space for permanent teeth, helps fix crossbites, and can even improve breathing. Expansion usually takes a few months and feels like gentle pressure rather than pain.
Every child’s situation is different, but Phase 1 treatment usually lasts 9–18 months. Afterward, we monitor growth until the rest of the adult teeth come in, at which point Phase 2 (comprehensive braces) may be needed to perfect alignment.
Delaying recommended pediatric orthodontic treatment can allow spacing or bite issues to worsen, which may mean longer treatment times or even surgical options later. Early care is almost always simpler, more comfortable, and less expensive.
We make appointments fun and positive. Parents can help by framing orthodontic care as a step toward confidence and a healthy smile rather than something scary or serious. Let your child know we’re here to help them smile bigger, not to lecture them.