Other Treatments

Early Orthodontic Treatment

At Just Kids Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we believe that early intervention can make a big difference in your child’s long-term oral health. That’s why the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age seven. At this stage, a child’s jaw is still developing, and early signs of bite or alignment issues can be detected and treated before they become more complex.

Why Is Early Orthodontic Treatment Important?

Early, or Phase One, orthodontic treatment focuses on guiding proper jaw growth and tooth alignment while a child still has a mix of baby and permanent teeth. This proactive approach can:

• Prevent serious alignment issues before they develop.
• Create space for incoming permanent teeth, reducing the need for extractions later.
• Correct harmful habits like thumb-sucking or tongue thrusting.
• Address bite problems, such as overbites, underbites, or crossbites.
• Improve airway function, which can impact breathing, sleep, and overall health.

What Does Early Treatment Involve?

Not all children will need early treatment, but for those who do, we may recommend:

• Palatal expanders to widen the upper jaw and create space.
• Space maintainers to hold room for permanent teeth.
• Limited braces or clear aligners to correct minor alignment issues.
• Habit appliances to help stop thumb-sucking or tongue-thrusting.

By starting treatment at the right time, we can minimize the need for more extensive orthodontic work in the future and set the stage for a healthy, confident smile. If your child is approaching age seven, request an orthodontic evaluation to see if early treatment could benefit them!

Airway Orthodontics

Did you know that the way your child breathes can affect their dental and overall health? At Just Kids Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we specialize in airway orthodontics, a unique approach that focuses on improving breathing, jaw development, and facial growth while creating a properly aligned smile.

Why Is Airway Health Important?

Proper breathing — especially nasal breathing — is essential for a child’s development. When a child breathes through their mouth instead of their nose, it can lead to:

• Narrow jaw development, causing crowded or misaligned teeth.
• Sleep-disordered breathing (including snoring or sleep apnea).
• Chronic fatigue, attention issues, or difficulty focusing in school.
• Frequent ear infections, allergies, or sinus problems.
• Facial development concerns, such as a long, narrow face or recessed chin.

How Airway Orthodontics Helps

Our orthodontic team takes a comprehensive approach to evaluating jaw structure, tongue posture, and breathing patterns. If we detect airway issues, we may recommend:

• Palatal expansion to create more room in the upper jaw, helping open the airway.
• Guided growth appliances to support proper jaw development.
• Orthodontic treatment to improve alignment and encourage nasal breathing.
• Referrals to specialists (such as ENTs or myofunctional therapists) if additional support is needed.

By addressing airway concerns early, we can help children breathe better, sleep better, and grow healthier — all while setting the foundation for a beautiful smile. If your child has chronic mouth breathing, snoring, or struggles with sleep, request a consultation today to learn how airway-focused orthodontics can help!