Elara Orthodontics

Children’s Orthodontist in Richmond or Houston, TX

A smiling child with braces stands against a beige background, holding a pink toothbrush and giving a thumbs up after visiting Elara Orthodontics, a trusted Children’s Orthodontist in Richmond or Houston, TX.
At Elara Orthodontics in Richmond or Houston, TX, a children’s orthodontist gently examines a child's teeth while she sits in the dental chair.

Give Your Child a Lifetime of Smiles

Your child deserves healthy, straight teeth for a confident, lasting smile. While the perfect age for orthodontic treatment may differ, Dr. Sara Abedini and Dr. Sam Elkenawy, along with the American Association of Orthodontists, suggest scheduling a first visit when your child is about seven years old.

What is Early Treatment?

Early treatment at Elara Orthodontics helps prevent or address bigger dental problems later on, potentially making future treatment shorter, easier, and less costly. In certain cases, Dr. Sara Abedini and Dr. Sam Elkenawy can achieve results that might become harder to accomplish once the jaws and face finish growing.

When is the Best Time for Treatment?

The ideal time for an initial consultation is around age 7. While the age for braces varies, orthodontic treatment in Richmond and Houston usually begins when children are between 9 and 14 years old. Certain issues like underbites are easier to correct as early as 7 years old.

Role of a Children’s Orthodontist

A children’s orthodontist specializes in diagnosing and treating dental concerns from infancy through teenage years. Unlike general pediatric dentists who handle broader oral care, orthodontists specialize in correcting misaligned teeth and uneven jaws, monitoring growth, and using devices like braces and retainers to guide proper alignment.

Importance of Early Orthodontic Intervention

Early orthodontic care, also known as interceptive treatment, works to address dental problems early on to prevent more serious ones.

At Elara Orthodontics in Richmond or Houston, TX, a children’s orthodontist uses dental instruments to examine a young boy’s teeth in a clinic.

Preventing severe
dental issues

A healthy, radiant smile not only boosts confidence but also leaves a positive and lasting impression on those around you.

Improving appearance
and confidence

Starting orthodontic treatment early helps create a well-aligned smile, enhances appearance, and reduces future treatment time, cost, and discomfort.

Enhancing oral health

Properly aligned teeth make daily cleaning simpler, helping to lower the chances of developing cavities and gum disease.

Benefits of Children’s
Orthodontic Treatment

Oral health plays a vital role in your overall health and well-being. It’s more than just achieving a beautiful smile—it’s about keeping your mouth healthy and free from diseases. Proper oral hygiene practices are essential for preventing dental issues and ensuring long-term health. Here’s a guide to help you improve and maintain excellent oral hygiene.

Improved Oral Health and Hygiene

Orthodontic care can improve oral health by promoting a clean, healthy mouth. Following good habits, such as brushing and flossing daily, along with routine dental check-ups, ensures lasting oral hygiene.

Enhanced Speech Development

Straight teeth help improve how children talk and pronounce words. Staying on top of dental visits, good oral care, and eating a nutritious diet can help with better speech.

Prevention of Future Dental Issues

Good oral care can stop problems like tooth decay and gum disease. These habits include brushing twice a day, flossing, eating less sugar, and visiting the dentist regularly.

Boosted Confidence and Self-Esteem

A bright, healthy smile improves confidence and leaves a great impression. Regular dental care and a good diet help maintain that beautiful smile.

Understanding Children’s 

Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic appliances are specialized tools used by orthodontists to correct alignment and bite issues in teeth and jaws. Each type is designed to address specific dental concerns, ensuring optimal oral health and functionality. Below are some of the most commonly used orthodontic appliances:

Braces

Braces use small brackets attached to each tooth with a connecting archwire.

Aligners

These are clear, removable trays fit snugly over teeth and gradually move them over time.

Retainers

Retainers are orthodontic devices used to maintain the newly aligned position of teeth.

Space maintainers

These devices temporarily hold space for teeth that have not yet grown in after a baby tooth is lost.

Importance of Early Evaluation

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic visit by age seven. Spotting problems like crooked teeth or jaw issues early allows for simpler, less expensive treatment down the road.

At Elara Orthodontics in Richmond or Houston, TX, a children’s orthodontist wearing gloves and a mask shows a dental mold to a young girl in the dental chair while an adult sits close by.

Treatment Process

Consultation

Includes examination, X-rays and impressions.

Appliance Placement

Orthodontic devices are fitted based on the treatment plan.

Follow-ups

Regular adjustments to monitor and ensure progress.

Retention

A retainer is often used after treatment to maintain results.

At Elara Orthodontics in Richmond or Houston, TX, a children’s orthodontist examines or cleans a child's teeth while the child sits in a dental chair.

Appointment Duration and Frequency

The duration and frequency of orthodontic appointments can vary depending on the type of appliance used and the severity of the dental issue. Typically, braces need adjustments every four to six weeks, while aligners are generally switched every two weeks. Appointments usually last from 30 to 60 minutes. The overall treatment time can range from six months to three years or more, depending on the individual case.

Common Orthodontic
Issues in Children

Here are some of the common concerns frequently treated at Elara Orthodontics:
A young boy in a white and black striped shirt clenches his fists in excitement and smiles brightly, showing off his teeth—likely after a great visit to the Children’s Orthodontist at Elara Orthodontics in Richmond or Houston, TX.

Overbite, Underbite, Crossbite and Spacing Problems

Overbite: Upper teeth cover lower teeth too much, affecting speech and chewing.
Underbite: Lower teeth protrude beyond upper teeth, leading to chewing problems and jaw pain.
Crossbite: Some upper teeth sit inside lower teeth, which may lead to gum harm and bone loss.
Spacing Problems: Gaps or overcrowding can hinder chewing, speech and oral hygiene.

Crooked or Misaligned Teeth

Caused by genetics, thumb sucking, or accidents. Misaligned teeth can cause complications with cleaning, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease.

Crowding or Spacing Issues

Crowding occurs when there’s insufficient space for teeth, making cleaning difficult and increasing the risk of tooth decay. Similarly, spacing issues can trap food between teeth, leading to decay as well.

Thumb Sucking and Other Oral Habits

While common in young children, persistent thumb sucking can cause teeth misalignment and alter the roof of the mouth.

Orthodontic Treatment Options for Children

Orthodontic appliances are tools used by dental professionals to address alignment and spacing issues in the teeth and jaw. They come in many varieties, each designed for specific dental concerns. In this overview, we will explore four common types of orthodontic appliances: traditional braces, clear aligners, functional appliances, and retainers.
Smiling with traditional braces against a plain white background, a boy with short dark hair and a brown polo shirt showcases the results children can expect from Elara Orthodontics in Richmond or Houston, TX.

Traditional Braces

Traditional braces have long been a cornerstone of orthodontic treatment and continue to be the most widely used orthodontic device.

Components

Brackets, archwires and ligature elastics.

Benefits

Effective for severe misalignments, durable and suitable for a wide range of dental issues.

A smiling girl with long blonde hair holds Clear Aligners and points at them outdoors in front of trees, demonstrating benefits recommended by a children’s orthodontist at Elara Orthodontics in Richmond or Houston, TX.

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are a modern and discreet alternative to traditional braces, offering an effective solution for correcting various dental alignment issues.

How They Work

Use consistent pressure to gradually move teeth, with new aligners replaced every two weeks.

Advantages

Discreet, removable for eating and cleaning and convenient for oral hygiene.

At Elara Orthodontics in Richmond or Houston, TX, children’s orthodontic essentials such as two pink retainers, a metal adjustment key, and an open pink case—part of their Functional Appliances offerings—are displayed on a white background.

Functional Appliances

Designed to address jaw growth issues, these appliances are usually recommended for children and teens.

Types

Twin Block, Bionator and Herbst appliances.

Benefits

Can improve jaw function and facial aesthetics, preventing future dental problems.

A young girl with long blonde hair smiles while holding a blue and yellow dental retainer in front of her mouth, highlighting the expertise of Elara Orthodontics in Richmond or Houston, TX.

Retainers

Retainers are orthodontic devices designed to maintain the new teeth position following treatment with braces or clear aligners.

Types

Removable (can be taken out for cleaning) and fixed (permanently bonded).

Benefits

Essential for maintaining the results of orthodontic treatment and a lasting smile.

In Richmond or Houston, TX, at Elara Orthodontics, a young girl sits in a dental chair wearing a bib as a masked dentist—possibly a children’s orthodontist—and an adult stand nearby in the clinic.

Importance of Early Orthodontic Intervention

Interceptive orthodontics is a proactive strategy that focuses on addressing dental issues while a child’s jaw is still growing, thus preventing more serious concerns in the future. The benefits of early intervention include stopping serious orthodontic problems from developing, enhancing appearance, and boosting oral health. For kids aged 6-10, it’s a great time to tackle issues like crossbites and crowding, as their jaw is still in development. Between ages 11-15, most children have their permanent teeth, making this a great opportunity for braces to fix alignment concerns.

Finding the Right Pediatric Orthodontist

When selecting an orthodontist for your child, it’s important to consider their qualifications and experience to ensure they fit your family’s needs. Look for an orthodontist who has advanced training in orthodontics and experience working with kids. Furthermore, practical factors like office location, hours of operation, and treatment costs, including payment options or insurance coverage, should also be considered. Taking the time to choose the right orthodontist ensures your child receives excellent care and a positive experience overall.

At Elara Orthodontics in Richmond or Houston, TX, a Children’s Orthodontist wearing blue gloves carefully examines a child's teeth as they sit in the dental chair.

Conclusion

Elara Orthodontics emphasizes the significance of early orthodontic evaluations for children, recommending the first visit by age seven. Early intervention can effectively address potential dental concerns, such as overbite, underbite, or crowding, helping to prevent more severe issues down the line. With personalized treatments like braces, clear aligners, or retainers, children can achieve improved oral health, enhanced self-esteem, and a smoother treatment journey.

FAQ

What age should a child go to orthodontist?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends scheduling a child’s first orthodontic visit around the age of seven. While this may seem early, it allows the orthodontist to identify and address potential issues before they develop into more serious concerns. This initial visit doesn’t always mean treatment will begin right away—it’s often just to monitor your child’s growth and dental development.

Can a 6 year old see an orthodontist?

Absolutely! A 6-year-old can definitely visit an orthodontist. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists suggests that children should have their first orthodontic evaluation by age seven or earlier if concerns arise. Early visits help identify and address jaw or tooth growth issues early on, setting the foundation for healthy and aligned teeth in the future.

How painful are braces for kids?

It’s normal for kids to feel mild discomfort when they first get braces or after adjustments. This is because the braces are working to shift their teeth into proper alignment. The good news is that this soreness typically fades within a few days and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. After the initial adjustment period, most children adapt to wearing braces and barely notice them. While there may be some temporary discomfort, the results are well worth it!