Orthodontics for Kids

Nurturing Healthy Dental Development

How orthodontics can help your child

At Deerwood Orthodontics Waukesha, we see firsthand the benefits of orthodontic treatment for children every day. A well-aligned bite is important at every stage of life, but while the mouth and jaws are growing is an ideal time to have interceptive orthodontic treatments. Early intervention can have a profound and lasting impact. By addressing misalignment and other dental issues early on, we can help young patients avoid complex orthodontic issues in adulthood.

Creating Confident Young Smiles

The advantages of early orthodontic care

Age 7 is a pivotal stage in a child’s dental development. That’s why we encourage parents to bring their children in for an early orthodontic evaluation around this age. Their mouth has matured enough for our orthodontic team to spot any early signs of potential issues, such as overcrowding, bite problems, crooked teeth, or unwanted gaps. But, thankfully, it’s also a time when we can address those problems easily by guiding their jaw growth and dental development.

Our Orthodontic Services Help Children

young daughter hugging mother

Interceptive Orthodontics

Laying the groundwork for a healthier smile

Interceptive orthodontics is an early intervention approach that works in harmony with a child's natural dental development. By addressing potential orthodontic issues before they become big problems, we can help guide jaw growth and ensure that the permanent teeth erupt in the right places. This establishes healthy oral function for your child and helps them to avoid extensive orthodontic work later in life.

Orthodontists recommend that interceptive orthodontic treatment begin around age 7. This is the ideal time because their mouth and jaws are still developing. Investing in interceptive orthodontics will pay dividends in the long run, setting your child up with a confident, healthy smile for life.

Space Maintainers

Preserving space for permanent teeth to erupt

When a child loses a baby tooth prematurely, it’s important to maintain the space so the permanent tooth can erupt in the right place. That’s where space maintainers can help. They are custom appliances that fit exactly where they need to go and prevent the adjacent teeth from shifting into the empty space. Holding that space open ensures proper alignment once a child’s permanent teeth come through. This can help your child avoid extensive orthodontic treatment in the future.

Palatal Expanders

Widen the upper jaw

For some kids, the width of their upper jaw may be too narrow. This can lead to crowding issues and misalignment of the teeth. Palatal expanders are orthodontic appliances that gradually increase the width of the upper jaw. This creates additional space for the teeth, reduces crowding and bite issues, and improves their overall alignment. Palatal expansion is most effective in children under age 13.

Bite-Correction Appliances

Improve bite & oral function

When the upper and lower jaws don’t align properly, kids can experience bite problems, such as an underbite or overbite, that greatly affect their oral function. It can also affect how their smiles look aesthetically. Bite-correction appliances are specifically designed to treat these issues by guiding the jaw’s growth to improve alignment.

At Deerwood Orthodontics Waukesha, we will carefully evaluate your child’s bite and recommend the most appropriate treatment to suit your child’s unique needs. This may include fixed or removable appliances. Everything we do is aimed at helping your child to achieve a healthier smile.

Habit-Correction Appliances

Address harmful habits & behaviors

Certain habits, such as tongue thrusting and thumb-sucking, can have detrimental effects on a child’s dental development and long-term oral health. Habit-correction appliances gently discourage these behaviors and encourage healthier habits. Our team will work with you and your child to identify any specific habits and will recommend the most effective appliance to address it. By breaking these harmful patterns early on, we can prevent your child from suffering from more serious orthodontic issues down the line.

african american toddler boy

Traditional Braces

A tried-and-true orthodontic solution

Traditional braces are a tried-and-true orthodontic solution for crooked, gapped, or overcrowded teeth. Using metal brackets and wires, traditional braces gently shift the teeth into place to correct the bite and align the upper and lower arches. Braces offer a durable and predictable treatment that can dramatically transform your child’s smile, improving their confidence and their oral health at the same time.

Clear Ceramic Braces

An aesthetic alternative to metal braces

For children who prefer a more subtle approach, Deerwood Orthodontics Waukesha offers ceramic braces. These work in the same way as traditional braces, but they are far less noticeable, blending in with your child’s natural smile. They are ideal for self-conscious kids who want to continue to smile confidently during their orthodontic treatment.

Retainers & Replacement Retainers

Keep the teeth in place after treatment

Once your child’s orthodontic treatment is complete, the final step is to use retainers to maintain their smile. These custom-made appliances will keep their teeth aligned. The team at Deerwood Orthodontics Waukesha provides parents and kids with detailed instructions about how often to wear the retainers and the best way to keep them clean. This will ensure the results of your child’s orthodontic treatment will last for many years to come.

Afford Your Care at Deerwood Orthodontics Waukesha

Choose from convenient options to finance your treatment.

At Deerwood Orthodontics Waukesha, we offer a range of flexible payment options. These include cash or credit, as well as flexible payment options through CareCredit and Healthcare Finance Direct.

Find a payment solution that suits your needs.

Our team can help you find the right payment option to suit you so you and your family can access the orthodontic treatment you need.

Making an Appointment With Deerwood Orthodontics Waukesha

At our office, you can expect exceptional, compassionate care for your child. We have created a relaxed and fun environment where they can receive the best of care while being comfortable throughout their treatment. To book your child an orthodontic evaluation, contact our friendly team today.