Pediatric Orthodontics in Parker, CO

Q: Does my seven-year-old need braces?

Usually not. An orthodontic evaluation at age seven does not mean a child should automatically begin braces. The purpose of an early evaluation is to identify developing problems, determine whether early treatment could help, and monitor growth until treatment is appropriate.

Q: What is the difference between clear braces and clear aligners?

Clear braces are fixed to the teeth and generally work like traditional metal braces, but use tooth-colored or ceramic brackets to make them less noticeable. Clear aligners such as Invisalign are removable trays designed to gradually move the teeth. The appropriate treatment depends on the patient's orthodontic needs.

Q: Can teenagers use Invisalign instead of braces?

Many teenagers may be candidates for Invisalign clear aligners, but not every orthodontic condition is best treated with aligners. An evaluation is necessary to determine whether Invisalign, traditional braces, clear braces, or another treatment option is appropriate.

Q: Will my child need a retainer after braces?

Most orthodontic patients use a retainer after braces or clear aligner treatment to help maintain their corrected tooth positions. The type of retainer and recommended wearing schedule will depend on the patient's individual orthodontic treatment plan.

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At Little Rockies Kids Dental, we provide pediatric orthodontics in Parker, CO for children and teens as their smiles grow and develop. Orthodontic care focuses on the position of the teeth, bite, and jaw alignment, helping identify and correct concerns such as crowded or crooked teeth, spacing, overbites, underbites, crossbites, and other alignment problems.

Our pediatric dental and orthodontic services are available in one convenient Parker office, allowing our team to follow your child's dental development from the early years through adolescence. Depending on your child's needs and stage of development, orthodontic treatment may include traditional braces, clear braces, Invisalign® clear aligners, early orthodontic treatment, growth monitoring, or retainers.

Whether you are beginning to notice changes in your child's bite or are looking for an orthodontist in Parker to evaluate braces or clear aligners, an orthodontic evaluation can help determine whether treatment is needed and, just as importantly, the appropriate time to begin.

Braces for Kids and Teens in Parker

Dental braces remain one of the most established and versatile ways to straighten teeth and improve bite alignment. Braces can gradually move teeth into healthier positions and may be recommended for children or teens with crowding, spacing, crooked teeth, or bite problems.

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Traditional Metal Braces
Modern metal braces use brackets and an archwire to gradually move teeth into healthier positions. Today's braces are smaller, more streamlined, and remain a dependable orthodontic treatment for kids and teens.
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Clear Ceramic Braces
Clear braces use tooth-colored or ceramic brackets that blend more naturally with the teeth while working similarly to traditional metal braces, making them a less noticeable treatment option.
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Self-Ligating Braces
Self-ligating braces use brackets with a built-in mechanism to hold the archwire instead of traditional elastic ties while gradually guiding teeth into their planned positions.
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Invisalign® Clear Aligners
Invisalign® uses a customized series of clear, removable aligners to gradually straighten teeth. For qualified patients, clear aligners can provide a discreet alternative to traditional braces.
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Early Orthodontic Treatment & Growth Monitoring
Early orthodontic evaluations allow us to monitor tooth eruption, bite development, and jaw growth so we can identify developing concerns and determine the right time for treatment.
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Teen boy and girl smiling with traditional braces in Parker, Colorado

Orthodontic Care for Children and Teens

Every child's smile develops differently. As baby teeth are lost and permanent teeth begin to erupt, the position of the teeth and growth of the jaws can affect how the upper and lower teeth fit together.

Orthodontic evaluations can identify concerns involving:

Crowded, crooked, or overlapping teeth
Gaps or excessive spacing between teeth
Overbites and underbites
Crossbites
Teeth that are erupting out of position
Difficulty biting or chewing
Jaw alignment concerns
Mouth breathing
Prolonged thumb-sucking or other oral habits
Early or delayed loss of baby teeth

For many children, an orthodontic evaluation does not mean treatment needs to begin immediately. Instead, our orthodontic provider may recommend monitoring your child's dental and jaw development until the time is right for treatment.

Because Little Rockies Kids Dental provides pediatric dentistry and orthodontics in Parker, our dental and orthodontic teams can work together as your child grows.

Early Orthodontic Treatment & Growth Monitoring

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children receive their first orthodontic check-up no later than age 7. At this stage, children typically have a combination of baby teeth and permanent teeth, giving an orthodontic provider an opportunity to evaluate how the teeth and jaws are developing.

Most children do not need braces at age seven. An early evaluation is often about identifying developing concerns and determining whether your child should simply be monitored or whether early orthodontic treatment may be beneficial.

At Little Rockies Kids Dental, orthodontic growth monitoring allows us to follow changes as permanent teeth emerge and the jaws continue to develop. Observation visits can help determine the appropriate timing for treatment and reduce the guesswork for parents wondering when their child may need orthodontic care.

Common issues we may monitor include crowding, spacing, overbites, underbites, crossbites, tooth eruption, jaw growth, and oral habits that may affect dental development.

Learn more about Orthodontic Growth Monitoring for children in Parker.

Orthodontic Growth Monitoring

Young boy smiling in a dental chair during an orthodontic growth monitoring visit in Parker, Colorado

Older teenage girl smiling while wearing Invisalign clear aligners

Clear Aligners & Invisalign® in Parker

Not every orthodontic patient wants traditional braces. For children and teens who qualify, clear aligners may provide a more discreet and removable approach to straightening teeth.

Little Rockies Kids Dental offers Invisalign® clear aligners in Parker as an orthodontic treatment option for appropriate patients. Invisalign uses a customized series of clear aligners that gradually guide the teeth toward their planned positions.

Because clear aligners are removable, patients can take them out for eating, brushing, and flossing. However, successful treatment requires patients to wear their aligners consistently and follow their recommended treatment schedule.

Clear aligners are not the ideal choice for every orthodontic condition. Our orthodontic provider can evaluate your child's teeth and bite and discuss whether Invisalign®, clear braces, or traditional braces may be the better treatment option.

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Orthodontics for Teens

The teenage years are one of the most common times for orthodontic treatment. By adolescence, many permanent teeth have erupted and orthodontic concerns involving crowding, spacing, crooked teeth, or bite alignment can often be evaluated more completely.

Today's teens also have more treatment choices than ever before. Depending on their orthodontic needs, options may include traditional braces, clear ceramic braces, self-ligating braces, or Invisalign® clear aligners.

Appearance can be an important consideration for teenagers, but the goal of orthodontic treatment extends beyond creating a straighter smile. Properly positioned teeth and a balanced bite can also make biting, chewing, and maintaining good oral hygiene easier.

If you are looking for orthodontic care for teens in Parker, our team can evaluate your teenager's smile and explain the treatment options that may best fit their dental needs and lifestyle.

Teen female athlete of Indian heritage smiling with braces at school

13-year-old boy smiling and showing a fixed orthodontic retainer

Retainers After Braces

Finishing braces or clear aligner treatment is an exciting milestone, but keeping the teeth in their new positions is an important part of orthodontic care.

After active orthodontic treatment, a dental retainer is commonly used to help maintain tooth alignment while the tissues surrounding the teeth adjust. Retainers may also be recommended after Invisalign® or other clear aligner treatment.

How long a patient needs to wear a retainer and how often it should be worn depends on the individual treatment plan. Following the recommended retainer schedule can help protect the results achieved through braces or clear aligners.

If your child or teen has completed orthodontic treatment, our team can explain the role of retainers and provide instructions for caring for the appliance and maintaining their new smile.

Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics in One Parker Office

One advantage of Little Rockies Kids Dental is the ability to coordinate pediatric dentistry and orthodontic care in the same practice. Our pediatric dental team can follow your child's oral health while our orthodontic provider monitors tooth eruption, bite development, jaw growth, and orthodontic treatment needs.

Dr. Eduardo Garcia serves as Little Rockies Kids Dental's orthodontic provider and completed an orthodontic residency at Universidad de Carabobo after dental school.

If you have questions about your child's developing smile, braces, clear aligners, or the right age to begin orthodontic care, contact Little Rockies Kids Dental to schedule an orthodontic evaluation in Parker, CO.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pediatric Orthodontics

When should my child first see an orthodontist?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic check-up no later than age seven. At this age, an orthodontic provider can evaluate the development of the permanent teeth, bite, and jaws even if treatment is not yet necessary.

Does my seven-year-old need braces?

What is the difference between clear braces and clear aligners?

Can teenagers use Invisalign® instead of braces?

Will my child need a retainer after braces?

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