Children's Orthodontist
Ashburn & South Riding

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NOVA Children’s Dentistry provides comprehensive pediatric dental care for our patients, including general orthodontic care and children’s braces in South Riding and Ashburn.

As a parent, if you have concerns for your child’s smile regarding crowding of the teeth, thumb-sucking habits, underbite/crossbite or protrusion of front teeth, you can discuss treatment options with our children’s orthodontist in Ashburn and South Riding. Sometimes the appointment with our orthodontist would be for informational purposes or to establish a treatment plan for the future, or if the situation warrants after an examination, an immediate treatment plan may be recommended.

At what age does my child need to see an orthodontist?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and The American Association of Orthodontists recommend to have an orthodontic evaluation at age 7, during your child’s routine dental exam, Dr. Pamela Bui will be able to determine if an earlier visit to the orthodontist will benefit your child.

If your children have evident problems or bad oral habits, such as thumb or finger-sucking, they may benefit from an orthodontic evaluation as early as age 5 or 6. While treatment at this early age is unusual, preventative treatment or monitoring a child’s growth and development may be recommended.

By the age of 7, most children have adult or permanent teeth that have erupted in addition to the remaining baby or primary teeth. By this age, children may experience dental crowding, too much space between teeth, protruding teeth, and extra or missing teeth and sometimes jaw growth problems.

When parents are considering having an orthodontic evaluation for their children, it is important to note that there are benefits to early treatment. The advantage for children of early detection of orthodontic problems is that some problems may be easier to correct if they are found and treated early. Waiting until all the permanent teeth have come in, or until facial growth is nearly complete, may make effective orthodontic treatment of some problems more difficult. Nova Children’s Dentistry are the experts and have helped many children with braces in Ashburn and South Riding.

See the Benefits of your Child’s Smile: Time Lapse Orthodontic Treatment

  • Guidance of jaw growth
  • Minimizing the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
  • Correction of harmful oral habits
  • Improvement to appearance and self-esteem
  • Guidance of permanent teeth into a more favorable position
  • Improvement in the way lips meet

Orthodontics FAQ

What is orthodontics?

Some children have irregularly positioned teeth. This may be either congenital or due to an injury they may have incurred growing up. Misaligned teeth and jaws may lead to other dental challenges, and not to mention, this can affect your child’s self-confidence as well.

Orthodontics is a branch of dental care specialization that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of misaligned and malpositioned teeth and jaws. At Nova Children’s Dentistry, we specialize in pediatric orthodontics. Contact us to schedule a consultation.

How to tell if your child needs orthodontic treatment?

Your child may need to see an orthodontist if they show one or more of the following signs:

  • Misshapen teeth
  • Teeth that either jut outwards or lean inwards into the mouth
  • Crowding of teeth
  • Shifting or clicking of the jaw when they eat or speak
  • Difficulty speaking clearly
  • Difficult or painful biting, chewing, and eating movement
  • Teeth grinding (especially when sleeping)
  • Loss of baby teeth prematurely
  • Extended thumb sucking period (usually beyond 2-4 years)
  • A jaw that is disproportionate in size to the rest of the face

At Nova Children’s Dentistry, we have various specialized orthodontics treatments available to help relieve your child of any pain or discomfort they may have by restoring their teeth to regular alignment.

At what age can children get braces?

Ideally, we recommend that your child get braces when they are 10-14 years of age. At this age, their baby teeth will have fallen, and permanent teeth will have set in. But they will still be pliable enough to be adjusted and aligned to help them breathe, talk, bite and eat with ease.

How much do children's braces cost?

The cost of a child’s braces depends on different criteria. The cost of your child’s braces will depend on:

  • Type of braces you choose.
  • Other orthopedic devices used along with the braces – Such as spacers, palatal expanders, retainers, head gear, etc.
  • Duration your child wears the braces for – This could last from a few months to a few years.
  • Amount of doctor support and aftercare needed – If your child has severe dental alignment issues or irregularities, you will need to come in for multiple post-brace appointments so care can be customized as your little one grows.
  • Insurance coverage – If your child’s insurance has dental, then the cost of braces would be lower.

What types of braces are available for kids?

Children can benefit from different types of braces, depending on the severity of their dental healthcare needs. Some of the braces we recommend are:

  • Metal braces – Ideal for very severe alignment issues.
  • Invisalign – Bracket-free braces that are transparent and gentle on the teeth – perfect for mild corrections.
  • Ceramic braces – Have a very authentic teeth-like appearance and don’t make your child’s teeth stand out.

Our team at Nova Children’s Dentistry will be able to advise which brace is best for your child. Visit us to get a consultation.

How long will my child need to wear braces?

Depending on their bespoke dental care needs, your child may need to wear their braces for anywhere between 18 months and 36 months.

Is it difficult for kids to take care of braces?

No, it isn’t.

Each type of brace has its own unique care requirements. When you come in for a consultation and brace fitting for your child, we will give you a detailed list of care instructions. We will also share a list of food restrictions that you will need to follow to ensure your teeth don’t experience undue stress, your braces don’t get jammed/dented, and alignment happens quickly. Our team will also provide care instructions to adhere to during play, sports, and the daily brushing & flossing routine.

Contact us at Nova Children’s Dentistry for more information.

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