Orthodontics

Pediatric Orthodontics in Ajax and Vaughan

A proactive approach to your child's oral health can help give them a happy and healthy smile for life. At Dentistry 4 Kids, we offer reliable pediatric orthodontics in Vaughan and Ajax to support your child's early dental needs. With our kid-friendly approach to early orthodontics and focus on education, our pediatric dentists are excited to help your kid's smile shine.

With decades of experience, we are passionate about serving our community and catering to children's dental health as they grow. Our office is also friendly and accommodating to patients with special needs, so you can trust our team with your child's orthodontic care regardless of their circumstances. If you are looking for pediatric dentistry in Ajax or Vaughan, call us to schedule an appointment today!

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What Is Pediatric Orthodontics?

Pediatric orthodontics, or early orthodontics, is designed to address dental alignment issues before a child has all their adult teeth. The goal in pediatric orthodontics is to help correct bite, jaw, and alignment issues while encouraging optimal growth and oral health. Typically, treatment comes in two phases, with a rest period in between to allow for natural growth.

We normally recommend bringing your child in for an evaluation by age six or seven, particularly if their teeth are visibly misaligned. They may also be having issues with chewing or breathing through their mouth, which can indicate poor dental alignment. Regardless of the issues your child may be having, we prioritize comprehensive, honest care that is transparent about what types of interventions, if any, your child may need.

Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment

With early intervention, pediatric orthodontics can make room for your child's permanent adult teeth and potentially reduce the need for extensive treatment in the future. Our dentist can examine your child's smile to see how the teeth are developing, current health problems, and if there may be future concerns. Even if your child does not need any early intervention, being proactive about their oral health by bringing them in for an evaluation can provide peace of mind. Some of the other benefits of early orthodontic treatment include:

Correcting harmful oral habits so your child can chew more effectively
Reducing or eliminating speech impediments
Lowering the risk of injury to protruding front teeth
Making it easier to maintain good oral hygiene
Reducing the risk of oral diseases and uneven wear
Boosting your child's confidence with a healthy, aesthetically pleasing smile

Phase 1: Building a Strong Foundation

The goal during phase one of early orthodontics is to create a strong foundation for your child's oral development. At this early stage, usually beginning around age six or seven, the jaw is still developing, meaning our team can more easily guide it towards a healthy smile. This phase focuses on preparing the jaw for adult teeth and making later treatment quicker and easier by catching problems early on.

First, we thoroughly examine your child's teeth, gums, and jaw to determine if treatment is necessary to improve dental alignment or provide extra support for jaw development. Some of the tools used during this stage can include appliances such as space maintainers, palate expanders, or children's braces. Once phase one is complete, a rest period is important to allow your child's permanent adult teeth to emerge and move naturally. Your child may still need to wear a retainer or other appliance and have regular visits to monitor their development.

Phase 2: Creating Your Child's Ideal Smile

Once all the adult teeth emerge, usually by age 10 or 11, we can begin phase two of treatment. This phase aims to create the ideal alignment and aesthetics for your child's smile, with a focus on creating and sustaining healthy teeth and jaw alignment. Some of the treatments we use include:

Children's Braces: We offer ceramic, clear, and traditional braces with options for fun colors.
Invisalign® Aligners: For mild to moderate cases of misalignment, Invisalign treatment can be a comfortable and discreet option.

Regardless of what kind of treatment is best for your child, we aim to support them throughout the process. The type and length of treatment during this phase depend on your child's unique needs and how well they maintain their oral health. Once phase two treatment is complete, we may recommend a retainer to help keep their teeth in place.

Trusted Pediatric Orthodontics in Vaughan and Ajax

Your child deserves quality orthodontic care that helps them grow into a straighter, healthier smile. At Dentistry 4 Kids, we are passionate about your child's developing smile with pediatric orthodontics in Ajax and Vaughan. By working with us and choosing proactive care, you can help set your child up for a lifetime of stunning smiles. We hope to meet you and your child soon and see how we can support their lifelong oral health. Visit or call us to schedule an appointment today!