Children’s Orthodontics Colorado Springs
Children’s orthodontics in Colorado Springs focuses on early intervention to guide proper dental development. Pediatric orthodontists provide gentle, age-appropriate care to ensure healthy, confident smiles. We’ve spent years honing a particular approach to working with kids in orthodontics. At Inner Smiles Orthodontics, we know that working with kids is a whole different ball game compared to working with teens and adults. Kids have their own unique worries, demands, and attention spans and have to learn good oral health habits from the get go. That’s why we make a big effort to make the first visit a top priority – setting kids up for success and making that initial visit a good experience helps them stay on the right track for a lifetime of good oral health.
The American Association of Orthodontists says little kids should get their first checkup by the time they’re seven, even if they still have a ton of baby teeth. That early examination can help us catch problems early on when they’re a heck of a lot easier to fix. Some kids need help right away while others just need to be watched until their adult teeth come in. We always tell parents that an early checkup doesn’t necessarily mean immediate treatment – but it does help us start making some plans for what’s to come.
When it’s needed, early treatment can be a real game-changer for kids. It can help with things like severe crowding, crossbites, or issues with jaw growth. In some cases, we use simple tools to make room for those adult teeth to come in or help the jaw grow and develop properly. Of course, most kids will still need a second round of therapy once those adult teeth have come in, but the good news is that those early treatments can make the second go-round a heck of a lot shorter and easier.
Kids react to orthodontic treatment a whole lot differently than adults do. For one thing, when an older sibling or friend gets braces, a lot of kids get pretty excited about the idea of getting their own. We take advantage of that enthusiasm to help kids understand how orthodontic treatment is going to help their teeth and their overall health. If we can make that first experience fun and educational, we find kids feel way more comfortable and willing to work with us during treatment.
The kind of appliances we use for kids depends on their age and what they need – big time. Most kids still go for traditional metal braces because they last a long, long time and can keep up with even the most active kids out there. And hey, kids love picking out all those cool colored bands for their braces – and we let them switch up the colors every time they come in for adjustments. It’s a simple but cool way for kids to feel like they have some control over their treatment.
For younger kids who need help right away, we might use removable appliances or space maintainers. These devices are a lot less work than full-on braces, but still need both kids and parents to be on the same page. We work with families to set up simple routines to help kids remember to wear those appliances like they’re supposed to.
It’s super important for parents to be right there with their kids every step of the way with orthodontic treatment. Teenagers can take care of more of their own dental hygiene and appliance care, but kids definitely need help and supervision. We always give parents clear instructions and resources to help their kids keep their mouths clean while they’re getting treatment – and we make a point to check in regularly so we can catch any issues before they get out of control.
How we treat kids with braces is all about how they grow and develop – because kids are still growing, we often use that natural growth to get better results. We keep a close eye on each child’s growth so we can start active treatment at just the right moment. And believe it or not, the timing of treatment is everything. Children’s orthodontics can catch and correct early signs of bite or alignment issues. We provide gentle, age-appropriate orthodontics to support your child’s healthy smile. Orthodontics for children focuses on guiding growth and creating room for permanent teeth.
Making kids feel comfortable and at ease is a big part of our philosophy – in fact, a pretty huge part. We train our staff to talk to kids in a way that’s just right for their age, and make sure each and every child feels welcome and understood. And guess what – we find that if kids have a good experience at their first visit, they’re way more likely to cooperate during treatment and keep up good oral hygiene habits. Orthodontics for adults offers discreet and flexible ways to improve your smile at any age. We provide adult orthodontics options like clear aligners and ceramic braces. With adult orthodontics, you can address crowding, spacing, or bite concerns comfortably.
There are a lot of active kids out there in Colorado Springs who love to play sports and get out and do things. We totally support those activities and will give out mouthguards as needed – and we want kids to know that orthodontic treatment isn’t going to hold them back from doing all the things they love to do.
We also work closely with schools and pediatric dentists in Colorado Springs to make sure our young patients get all the treatment they need. By working together, we can meet all the unique oral health needs of each and every kid.