Orthodontics for Kids
Braces for Kids
You want to give your kids the best start in life, and that has everything to do with their health, emotional well-being, and the confidence a beautiful smile can bring.
Choosing Molen Orthodontics ensures that your child receives expert care and the lasting benefit of a healthy, natural-looking smile.
The Molen Experience
We treat every child with kindness and dedication, as if they were our own. With our team, you can feel confident that your little one is in experienced hands.
Our expertise allows us to take a no-headgear approach and craft beautiful, natural-looking smiles that could only be Molen Smiles. Designed to complement each patient’s unique facial features, these curved smiles have become a hallmark of our practice and are recognized throughout the community.
At each of our orthodontic offices, we’ve created an experience that both kids and parents love!
You’ll have access to exclusive amenities, all complimentary: Wi-Fi, coffee bar, a separate treatment area for patients with noise sensitivities, a play area for little siblings, a quiet waiting area with massage chairs for parents, a photo booth to capture your visit, and an arcade room where kids can try to beat Dr. Chris’ high score in basketball!
When should my child see an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic check-up by age 7. Enroll your little one in our growth and guidance program for free monitoring visits every 9 to 12 months!
While most kids won’t need treatment that early, it’s the ideal time to evaluate jaw development, identify any orthodontic issues, and recommend preventative treatments. Early orthodontic treatment allows us to work with your child’s natural growth cycle to intercept any issues before they worsen, and guide healthy smile development.
In many cases, starting early leads to a shorter treatment time in phase 2, and a more pleasant treatment experience for your little one.
What are the benefits of early orthodontic treatment?
Children’s orthodontics is about more than ‘straightening teeth’ — it’s about ensuring that their jaw, palate, airway and teeth are developing properly. If there are any issues, they’re often much easier to treat while your child’s bones are still growing.
Early treatment can gently guide facial development, helping us avoid more complex procedures, like jaw surgery or tooth extractions, later on. Treating the jaw bones and widening the palate to prepare for a healthy set of adult teeth is far more comfortable and efficient while the jaws are still growing in childhood, compared to the teen years.
We may recommend two-phase orthodontic treatment to treat the jaws and teeth in stages to achieve a beautiful, natural-looking smile.
Signs that Your Child Needs Braces or Invisalign
Example of too much overbite
Our method of early treatment can correct a wide range of issues:
- Narrow dental arches, allowing for the development of a wider, more attractive smile while creating more room for the teeth
- Severe overbites or underbites
- Deep bites
- Small lower jaws or weak chins
- Excessive crowding
- Protruding or flared teeth (buck teeth)
- Improve nasal breathing (like mouth breathing or snoring)
- Crossbites (which should be corrected as early as possible to avoid tooth or jaw damage)
Two-Phase Orthodontic Treatment
Phase 1 Orthodontics
Phase 1 focuses on guiding jaw and facial development while your child’s bones are still growing (typically between the ages of 7 and 10.) This stage may involve an appliance, like a palatal expander or space maintainers, and we monitor your child’s facial and dental development to ensure that everything is progressing as it should.
Phase 2 Orthodontics
After a rest period, phase 2 begins once all adult teeth are in. This stage typically involves kids’ braces, with Damon® brackets hand-placed precisely to ensure that the teeth are aligned into their ideal positions. We don’t use headgear or uncomfortable metal bands, and in most cases, we don’t need tooth extractions.
Our goal is to create a dazzling, natural smile that lasts a lifetime — and to provide exceptional care through the most comfortable treatment path.
Quick Links
Locations
Enumclaw
Sumner –
Bonney Lake
Free consultation (valued at $275) includes smile assessment, x-rays, and scan, if needed. Invisalign and the Invisalign logo, among others, are trademarks of Align Technology, Inc., and are registered in the U.S. and other countries.
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