Guide Your Child Toward a Healthier, Better-Aligned Smile
Crowded teeth, gaps and bite problems can affect more than the appearance of your child’s smile. Orthodontic treatment can support comfortable chewing, clearer speech, easier oral hygiene and healthy dental development as children and teenagers grow.
At Longhorn Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Dr. Reza Arzegar provides personalized orthodontic care for children and teens in Austin, Texas. With 15 years of experience providing orthodontic and clear aligner treatment, hundreds of completed cases and extensive continuing education, Dr. Arzegar can identify developing concerns and recommend care based on your child’s age, growth and individual needs.
Wondering whether your child could benefit from orthodontic treatment? Call 512-892-2443 or schedule an orthodontic evaluation with our pediatric dental team.
What Is Children’s Orthodontics?
Children’s orthodontics focuses on the alignment of the teeth and the way the upper and lower jaws fit together. Treatment may guide dental development, create room for emerging permanent teeth or move existing teeth into healthier positions.
Some children benefit from early treatment while their jaws are still growing. Others may be monitored until more permanent teeth have emerged. Teenagers with established permanent teeth may be candidates for comprehensive braces or clear aligner treatment.
Dr. Arzegar evaluates the entire developing smile rather than focusing only on whether the teeth appear straight. The timing and type of care depend on your child’s bite, dental development, jaw growth and treatment goals.
What Orthodontic Problems Can Treatment Address?
An orthodontic evaluation may be recommended when a child or teenager has:
- Crowded teeth: There may not be enough room for the teeth to emerge or align properly.
- Gaps between teeth: Extra spacing may affect appearance, function or future alignment.
- Overbite: The upper front teeth extend too far over the lower front teeth.
- Underbite: The lower teeth or jaw sit in front of the upper teeth.
- Crossbite: One or more upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when the mouth closes.
- Open bite: The upper and lower front teeth do not meet when the back teeth are together.
- Protruding teeth: Front teeth extend outward and may be more vulnerable to injury.
- Teeth erupting in unusual positions: Permanent teeth may emerge at an angle or become blocked.
- Jaw or bite imbalance: The jaws may not fit together evenly or function comfortably.
- Early or delayed loss of baby teeth: Changes in eruption timing can affect available space.
Not every irregularity requires immediate treatment. In some cases, monitoring growth and dental development is the most appropriate next step.
Signs Your Child May Need an Orthodontic Evaluation
Some alignment and bite concerns are easy to see, while others may be identified during a routine pediatric dental examination. Consider scheduling an evaluation if you notice:
- Crowded, overlapping or visibly crooked teeth
- Large spaces between teeth
- Difficulty biting or chewing certain foods
- Upper and lower teeth that do not meet normally
- Early, late or irregular loss of baby teeth
- Permanent teeth emerging outside the usual position
- Frequent biting of the cheeks or roof of the mouth
- Jaw shifting when your child closes their mouth
- Protruding front teeth
- Persistent thumb or finger habits that may affect development
- Concerns about the appearance of your child’s smile
Early evaluation does not always mean early treatment. It allows Dr. Arzegar to identify developing problems, determine whether intervention may be helpful and monitor changes over time.
Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment for Children and Teens
Straighter teeth can improve the appearance of a child’s smile, but orthodontic care may also provide important functional and oral health benefits.
- Improve the alignment of crowded or crooked teeth
- Correct or reduce certain bite problems
- Make brushing and flossing easier
- Support more balanced chewing and biting
- Reduce abnormal wear on certain teeth
- Create space for permanent teeth to emerge
- Lower the risk of injury to protruding front teeth
- Support healthy dental and jaw development
- Improve confidence in the appearance of the smile
The benefits and goals of treatment vary from one child to another. Dr. Reza Arzegar will explain what orthodontic care may realistically accomplish for your child.
Orthodontic Services for Children and Teenagers
Longhorn Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics offers orthodontic options for different stages of dental development. After evaluating your child’s teeth, bite and growth, Dr. Arzegar will explain which approach may be most appropriate.
Available care may include early interceptive treatment for developing problems, braces for comprehensive tooth movement and clear aligner options for appropriate children and teenagers.
Early and Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment
Some bite or spacing problems are easier to address while a child is still growing. Early orthodontic care, sometimes called Phase 1 or interceptive treatment, may be recommended before all permanent teeth have emerged.
The goals of early treatment may include:
- Guiding jaw or dental development
- Creating additional room for permanent teeth
- Addressing certain crossbites or bite imbalances
- Reducing the risk of damage to protruding teeth
- Managing habits that affect oral development
- Improving conditions that could become more difficult to treat later
Early care does not always eliminate the need for treatment during the teenage years. Dr. Arzegar will explain the immediate goals, expected benefits and possibility of future orthodontic care before treatment begins.
Learn more about Phase 1 and interceptive orthodontics.
Braces for Children and Teens
Braces use brackets and wires to apply carefully controlled pressure to the teeth. They can address a wide range of alignment and bite concerns and may be recommended for children or teenagers who need comprehensive orthodontic treatment.
During treatment, periodic visits allow Dr. Arzegar to monitor progress and make adjustments. Treatment time varies according to the complexity of the case, your child’s growth and how closely care instructions are followed.
Visit our braces page to learn more about this treatment option.
Clear Aligners for Appropriate Patients
Clear aligners use a planned series of removable trays to move the teeth gradually. They may provide a less noticeable orthodontic option for responsible children and teenagers with qualifying alignment or bite concerns.
Because aligners are removable, patients must wear them consistently and keep track of them throughout treatment. They may not be appropriate for every orthodontic problem or every child.
Dr. Reza Arzegar has provided clear aligner and orthodontic treatment for 15 years and has completed hundreds of cases. After examining your child, Dr. Arzegar can explain whether clear aligners or braces would provide the more appropriate approach.
Learn more about clear aligners for children and teens.
What to Expect at an Orthodontic Evaluation
Your child’s first orthodontic visit is an opportunity to identify concerns, discuss goals and determine whether treatment is currently needed.
The evaluation may include:
- A review of your child’s dental and medical history
- An examination of the teeth, bite and jaw relationships
- An assessment of dental development and remaining baby teeth
- Digital X-rays or other records when appropriate
- A discussion of treatment options and timing
- An explanation of anticipated goals and next steps
If treatment is not yet necessary, Dr. Arzegar may recommend periodic observation. Monitoring allows our team to follow changes in your child’s growth and begin care when the timing is more favorable.
What Happens During Orthodontic Treatment?
The exact process depends on whether your child receives braces, clear aligners or early orthodontic treatment. After the treatment plan is approved, our team will place or provide the selected appliance and explain how to care for it.
Your child will return for progress visits so Dr. Arzegar can evaluate tooth movement, make adjustments and confirm that treatment is proceeding as planned.
Successful orthodontic care also requires participation at home. Your child may need to:
- Brush and floss carefully around orthodontic appliances
- Wear aligners or other removable appliances as directed
- Avoid foods that can damage braces
- Use elastics according to instructions
- Attend scheduled adjustment and progress visits
- Continue routine dental cleanings and examinations
Maintaining Healthy Teeth During Orthodontic Care
Brackets, wires and other appliances can create additional areas where food and plaque collect. Consistent home care is essential for reducing the risk of cavities, gum irritation and visible marks on the teeth.
Encourage your child to brush thoroughly after meals when possible and floss every day using the techniques recommended by our team. Routine visits for dental cleanings and examinations should continue throughout orthodontic treatment.
Additional preventive care, such as fluoride treatment, may be recommended based on your child’s cavity risk and oral hygiene.
Why Choose Longhorn Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics for Children’s Orthodontics?
Children’s orthodontic care should account for more than the position of the teeth. It should also consider growth, developing permanent teeth, oral habits, preventive care and the child’s comfort throughout treatment.
Dr. Reza Arzegar is a board-certified pediatric dentist who completed pediatric dental residency training in 2006. Dr. Arzegar has provided orthodontic and clear aligner treatment for 15 years, completed hundreds of orthodontic cases and pursued hundreds of hours of continuing education in orthodontics and clear aligner care.
Dr. Arzegar has also completed advanced orthodontic training through extended programs involving hands-on and ongoing education. This experience allows families to receive pediatric dental and orthodontic care within a practice that understands their child’s broader oral health needs.
Our child- and family-friendly office includes video games, televisions above the treatment chairs and child-friendly music to help children and teenagers feel more comfortable during their visits.
Learn more about Dr. Arzegar on our meet our doctors page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Children’s Orthodontics
When should my child have an orthodontic evaluation?
An evaluation may be helpful when crowding, unusual tooth eruption, bite problems or other developmental concerns become noticeable. Dr. Arzegar can also identify potential orthodontic needs during routine pediatric dental examinations.
Does an early evaluation mean my child will need braces immediately?
No. Many children are monitored until more permanent teeth emerge or growth reaches a more appropriate stage. Early evaluation helps identify concerns and determine the most favorable timing for treatment.
What is Phase 1 orthodontic treatment?
Phase 1 treatment is early orthodontic care provided while a child still has a combination of baby and permanent teeth. It may address certain developmental, spacing or bite concerns before comprehensive treatment.
Will my child need braces after Phase 1 treatment?
Some children need a second phase of treatment after the permanent teeth emerge. The need for future treatment depends on dental development, growth and the goals accomplished during the first phase.
Are clear aligners available for children and teens?
Clear aligners may be appropriate for responsible children and teenagers with qualifying orthodontic needs. The patient must be able to wear and care for the aligners consistently. Dr. Arzegar will determine whether aligners or braces are the better option.
How long does orthodontic treatment take?
Treatment time depends on the type and severity of the orthodontic problem, your child’s growth and how closely care instructions are followed. Dr. Arzegar will provide an individualized estimate after completing an evaluation.
Do braces hurt?
Your child may experience temporary pressure or tenderness after braces are placed or adjusted. This usually improves as the mouth adapts. Our team will explain ways to keep your child comfortable during treatment.
Can my child continue playing sports with braces?
Yes. Children and teenagers can generally continue participating in sports, but a properly fitted mouthguard may be recommended to protect the teeth, lips and orthodontic appliances.
How should my child clean their teeth with braces?
Your child should brush carefully around the brackets and gumline and floss between the teeth every day. Our team will demonstrate helpful techniques and recommend appropriate cleaning tools.
Where can I find orthodontic care for children in Austin, Texas?
Longhorn Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics provides orthodontic evaluations and treatment for children and teenagers in Austin, Texas. Dr. Reza Arzegar is a board-certified pediatric dentist with 15 years of orthodontic and clear aligner experience.
Schedule Your Child’s Orthodontic Evaluation in Austin, Texas
Early evaluation and properly timed treatment can help guide dental development, improve bite function and create a healthier, more confident smile. Dr. Reza Arzegar will assess your child’s teeth and growth and explain whether treatment, monitoring or a future follow-up is appropriate.
Call Longhorn Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics at 512-892-2443 or schedule an orthodontic evaluation online to learn more about children’s orthodontics in Austin, Texas.
512-892-2443