We are proud to offer orthodontics and a board certified pediatric orthodontist at our San Antonio, TX pediatric dentist office to children of all ages. We are committed to providing specialized dental care and preventative dentistry for infants to teens. As your child grows, we know it is important to monitor the growth and development of your child’s smile and evaluate the need for braces.
At each appointment, we will evaluate your child’s face, teeth, and bite to ensure proper growth. Early detection of bite problems can help prevent speech impediments, and aid chewing and digestion. Some oral problems are easy to correct at young age, which can reduce more severe problems down the road.
In addition to regular orthodontic evaluation, we can also provide comprehensive orthodontic treatment such as metal braces or Invisalign clear braces. Regular checkups will help us to identify the perfect time to begin treatment for your child.
Orthodontic Evaluation
An orthodontic evaluation allows Dr. Bianca Frederick, our board certified pediatric orthodontist, to assess your child’s oral development. During the evaluation, Dr. Frederick will inspect your child’s teeth and gums, as well as the bones and muscles in your child’s mouth. An orthodontic evaluation will give you the ability to plan ahead for your child’s future dental needs.
Phase I & Phase II Orthodontic Treatments
If Dr. Frederick performs your child’s orthodontic evaluation and concludes that treatment is necessary, we will complete it in a two-phase approach. Phase I is usually between the ages of 6 and 10, while they still have most of their primary teeth.
Dr. Frederick may recommend expansion, an active retainer or partial braces as part of the Phase I treatment. The goal of Phase I is to better prepare your child’s jaws to make room for their permanent teeth and improve the relationship between their upper and lower jaws.
Phase II occurs dependent on your child’s growth. The goal of this phase is to make sure each tooth is located in the best location possible to function properly. Phase II usually involves full upper and lower braces for your child and will not begin until all of your child’s permanent teeth have erupted. Phase II treatment usually lasts for a minimum of 24 months depending on the individual needs of your child.
Invisalign Clear Braces
Aligning your child's teeth makes them easier to clean, but it also has a huge impact on their appearance. As an Invisalign provider, Dr. Frederick can help your child straighten their teeth without having to use traditional metal brackets and wires.
Clear, removable Invisalign braces make it easier for your child to keep their smile clean and avoid problems like tooth decay and gum disease. The advanced system uses removable plastic trays that are easy to care for and comfortable to wear. No one will ever have to know they’re there!
Metal Braces
Metal braces are still the most common type of braces for orthodontic patients. Modern metal braces are much more comfortable than ones worn in the past, as they’re flatter and smaller. Dr. Frederick may recommend braces if your child suffers from crooked teeth, crowded teeth, jaw problems or a misaligned bite.
Space Maintainer
Your child might need a space maintainer if they lose a tooth early or have a baby tooth extracted. If your child needs a space maintainer, Dr. Frederick will custom make it to fit your child’s mouth. Its purpose is to keep the space where the baby tooth was lost open in order to allow the permanent tooth to come into place.
Baby teeth are vital to the healthy development of adult teeth, jawbones, muscles. Often, if a space maintainer is not used, your child’s other teeth can shift into the open space and future, more invasive orthodontic treatment might be needed.
Post-Orthodontic Treatment
Caring for your child's smile after orthodontic treatment is a vital part of making sure their teeth don’t move after their orthodontic treatment has been completed. This is a critical follow-up stage that usually involves wearing a retainer. At Helotes Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we offer several different types, all of which are custom-made to fit your child's smile.
Ready to take the next step toward helping your child enjoy their best and healthiest smile? Call Helotes Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in San Antonio today to schedule your child's orthodontic appointment today!
we are committed to making sure your child receives the high quality dental care they need in a comfortable, calm and gentle environment by providing sedation dentistry options to relieve anxiety.
