Children’s braces correct crowding, spacing, and developing bite problems while the jaws are still growing, which is often the easiest window to work in. Dorfman Orthodontic Group sees Huntingdon Valley children at our Southampton and Bensalem offices, and the first visit is complimentary. Dr. Jake Dorfman is board certified by the American Board of Orthodontics and plans every child’s treatment personally.
What Braces for Kids Involve
Children’s treatment is not simply a smaller version of adult treatment. A growing child gives us something adults cannot offer: active jaw growth we can guide. That means some problems can be corrected now that would require surgery or extractions if they waited.
Depending on what the exam shows, a child at our practice may receive:
- Partial braces on the front teeth to correct a specific problem early
- A full set of braces once enough permanent teeth have erupted
- early interceptive treatment with an expander or space maintainer before braces
- Simple observation, with free growth checks every six to twelve months until the timing is right
Nothing is started because it can be. If your child does not need treatment yet, we will tell you that and put them on our no-cost recall list.
Benefits of Treating a Child Early
Guiding growth instead of fighting it
A narrow upper jaw is far easier to widen at nine than at nineteen. Working with growth rather than against it is the single biggest advantage of childhood treatment.
Creating room for teeth that are still coming
When crowding is addressed early, permanent teeth have somewhere to erupt. That frequently reduces or eliminates the need for extractions later on.
Protecting teeth that stick out
Upper front teeth that protrude are much more likely to be chipped or knocked during a fall or a game on the fields around Lower Moreland. Bringing them back into the arch lowers that risk.
Correcting habits before they shape the bite
Thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and mouth breathing all leave marks on a developing bite. These are easier to address in elementary school than in high school.
Confidence at an age when it matters
Children notice their teeth long before adults think they do. Fixing a visible problem early can change how a child feels about smiling in class photos.
The Kids Braces Process at DOG Ortho
First visit, no charge. We take digital photos and low-radiation images, Dr. Dorfman examines the bite and the erupting teeth, and you get a plain-language answer: treat now, treat later, or nothing needed. Bring your questions; we schedule enough time to answer them.
Getting braces on. The appointment takes about an hour, and children handle it well because nothing sharp or loud is involved. We explain each step as we go so nothing is a surprise.
Regular check visits. Every six to ten weeks we adjust the wire and check progress. We coach brushing at each visit, because hygiene is where children need the most support during treatment.
Finishing. Braces come off, we take final records, and a retainer is fitted right away. Children’s retainers get checked as they continue to grow.
Is Your Child Ready for Braces?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic evaluation by age seven. That is early enough to catch crossbites, severe crowding, and jaw discrepancies while they are still simple, and it does not mean treatment starts at seven for most children.
Signs worth an evaluation include losing baby teeth very early or very late, difficulty chewing, mouth breathing, thumb sucking past age five, teeth that meet edge to edge or not at all, and front teeth that protrude noticeably. Parents in Bethayres, Rydal, and Meadowbrook often bring a child in because a general dentist flagged crowding at a cleaning, which is exactly the right reason to come.
Why Huntingdon Valley Parents Choose DOG Ortho for Their Kids
- A specialist, not a general practice. Dr. Dorfman completed a full orthodontic residency after dental school and is board certified.
- Kid-friendly by design. The DOG Kids Club, contests, and prizes turn appointments into something children look forward to instead of dread.
- No referral, no consultation fee. Come straight to us; the first visit costs nothing.
- Payment plans built for families. Zero down options, 0% interest, no credit checks, and extended terms. See financial information.
- Convenient hours. Weekday mornings from 7:30 a.m., plus Friday and Saturday morning appointments that avoid missed school.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kids Braces
What age should my child get braces?
Most children start full braces between ages ten and fourteen, once enough permanent teeth are in. The evaluation should happen by age seven so we can catch anything that needs earlier attention.
Will my child need braces twice?
Some children benefit from early interceptive treatment followed by a shorter second phase of braces. Many do not. Dr. Dorfman will tell you which category your child is in at the consultation.
Can my child play sports with braces?
Yes. A mouthguard is strongly recommended for contact sports, and we can provide one that fits over braces.
How do we keep teeth clean with braces?
Brush after every meal, use a proxy brush around brackets, and add a fluoride rinse at night. We demonstrate the technique at every adjustment and flag spots that are being missed.
What happens if a bracket breaks?
Call us and we will fit your child in. Loose brackets are common and quick to repair; see our emergency care page for what to do in the meantime.
Do you see siblings back to back?
Yes. Tell our scheduling team and we will book siblings together so one trip from Huntingdon Valley covers the family.
Book Your Child’s Free Orthodontic Evaluation
An evaluation costs nothing and answers the question you have been wondering about. Call or text our Southampton team at (215) 910-4376, or reach our Bensalem office at (215) 935-4639. Or contact us to request a complimentary visit at our Southampton or Bensalem office.