Early Orthodontic Treatment in Kent, WA

Early (Phase I) orthodontic treatment guides a child’s jaw growth and tooth development while the bones are still forming - often making later treatment simpler. Not every child needs it. At Advanced Orthodontics Kent, board-certified orthodontist Dr. Gabriela Aragon evaluates children around age 7 and recommends treatment only when it will truly help.

When Does Early Treatment Benefit Children?

Not every child needs early orthodontic treatment - and that’s an important part of our philosophy. Every smile develops differently, and our role is to recognize when early care will genuinely make a difference. Some concerns, especially those tied to jaw growth, respond best in childhood while the bones are still developing; others are better treated once all permanent teeth arrive in the teen years. Dr. Aragon creates an individualized plan for each child - and if your child isn’t ready for treatment, they’re enrolled in our free monitoring program (more below).

Benefits Beyond a Beautiful Smile

A healthy smile does more than boost confidence. Early treatment can redirect growth to improve the balance between the upper and lower jaw, reduce severe crowding, decrease the chance that permanent teeth become impacted, lower the likelihood of extractions or surgery later, and help guide growth in underbite cases. Straightening teeth is only part of the goal - supporting lifelong oral health matters just as much.

When Should Children Have Their First Orthodontic Screening?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic evaluation around age 7, when permanent molars and incisors begin to come in and Dr. Aragon can see how the teeth and jaws are developing. Many Kent-area dentists spot concerns and refer children even younger. An early screening helps determine whether early treatment is needed, whether your child should simply be monitored, and the ideal timing for any future care.

Why Evaluate Children So Young?

Because their bones are still growing, younger children can benefit from guidance that simply isn’t possible later. Early diagnosis can guide erupting teeth into healthier positions, preserve space for permanent teeth, reduce the risk of injury to protruding front teeth, improve jaw growth, and head off more serious problems. Early care can also address harmful oral habits like thumb-sucking, incorrect swallowing, or mouth breathing. Concerns we can address early include jaw width and shape, crowding, crossbites and underbites, impacted teeth, narrow arches, thumb habits, and bite-related speech concerns. Acting early often makes treatment in the teen years simpler and shorter - and for children whose airway and jaw development are linked, we also offer airway orthodontics.

The Kids Club - Free Growth Monitoring

Our orthodontic supervisory program - Kids Club - is designed for children who aren’t yet ready for treatment. We track growth, tooth eruption, and jaw development with check-ins every 6-12 months: monitoring permanent teeth, identifying changes that may need early intervention, coordinating with your family dentist when baby teeth need to come out, and making timely recommendations. There’s no fee for this program - it simply ensures that when your child is ready, treatment begins at the ideal moment.

Will My Child Still Need Braces as a Teen?

In most cases, early treatment is Phase I - a first step addressing jaw growth, spacing, or crossbites. Because not all permanent teeth are present yet, many teens later need a shorter Phase II of braces for final alignment and bite refinement. Some children who receive early treatment won’t need additional braces - it depends on how their teeth develop.

Schedule Your Child’s Free Evaluation

Wondering whether your child could benefit from an early evaluation? Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Gabriela Aragon at Advanced Orthodontics Kent - call (253) 852-7210. We’re at 331 3rd Ave S in downtown Kent, serving Kent, Covington, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, and Maple Valley.