Early Orthodontic Treatment for Children in Richmond & Henrico, VA
When Should My Child First See an Orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends every child have a first orthodontic check-up by age 7, even if their teeth look perfectly straight. At this age, enough permanent teeth have come in for Dr. Cline to spot how the jaw and bite are developing, while there's still plenty of growth left to guide.
At All Star Orthodontics, an early evaluation lets us watch your child's smile take shape and pinpoint the right moment for treatment, if any is needed at all. Most children who come in at 7 simply get a clean bill of health and a follow-up plan.
Signs Your Child May Need an Early Orthodontic Evaluation
Parents know their child best. If you've noticed any of these, it's worth scheduling a visit:
Crooked, crowded, or overlapping teeth
Wide gaps between teeth
Baby teeth lost too early or too late
Trouble chewing, biting, or a jaw that shifts or clicks
Crossbites, overbites, or underbites
Mouth breathing, snoring, or thumb-sucking past age 5
A family history of braces, crowding, or jaw surgery
And if nothing looks wrong? An early check still gives you something valuable : peace of mind and a clear roadmap for the years ahead.
Why Early Orthodontic Screening Matters
Around age 7, permanent teeth start replacing baby teeth, which is the ideal window for an orthodontic specialist to catch crowding, spacing, bite misalignment, or eruption problems early.
Treatment usually isn't urgent at this stage. But spotting an issue now means we can often guide growth gently instead of correcting it the hard way later. Early action can reduce the need for tooth extractions, longer treatment, or jaw surgery down the road.
What Is Phase 1 (Early) Orthodontic Treatment?
Phase 1 treatment , sometimes called early or interceptive orthodontics, is recommended only in select cases, while your child is still growing. When it's needed, it's usually a short, focused course of 6 to 12 months to:
Guide jaw growth and create room for incoming permanent teeth
Correct a problem bite before it sets
Reduce the complexity of any future treatment
After Phase 1, we monitor your child as their remaining adult teeth come in. When a second phase is recommended, the early work often makes it shorter and the final result stronger.
Growth Monitoring Visits
If your child isn't ready for treatment yet, these visits play an important role. They let Dr. Matt Cline, our board-certified orthodontist and practice owner, track growth and tooth development over time and choose the right time to begin.
Because Dr. Cline owns the practice and personally follows each child's progress, you see the same trusted provider at every visit. These check-ins also help your child grow comfortable with our team and our office, so when treatment day comes, it already feels familiar.
Early Treatment Options for Children
Every child is different, so we match the approach to their development and goals:
WildSmiles braces — fun shapes and colors kids love
Palatal expanders to widen a narrow upper jaw
Invisalign clear aligners for select cases
Our approach is always the most conservative, age-appropriate treatment that supports healthy development, never more than necessary.
Early Orthodontic Care for Families Across Richmond & Henrico
Families come to us from across the West End, Short Pump, Libbie Mill, Glen Allen, and Henrico for unhurried, kid-friendly orthodontic care. With convenient locations and free evaluations, getting your child seen is simple and there's no referral required to book.
Schedule Your Child’s Complimentary Early Evaluation
If your child is around age 7, or showing any of the signs above, now is the ideal time for an evaluation. During the visit, we'll assess your child's development, answer every question, and tell you whether early treatment or simple monitoring is the right decision. Your consultation is always complimentary, with no obligation.
Common Questions About Early Orthodontic Treatment
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The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first visit by age 7. Even if your child's teeth look straight, this is the ideal age to check how the jaw and bite are developing while there's still room to guide growth.
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No. Most early visits lead to simple monitoring rather than treatment. We only recommend Phase 1 care when it offers a clear, lasting benefit.
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Phase 1 guides jaw and tooth development while your child is young. Phase 2, if it's needed later, aligns the full set of permanent teeth, and it's often shorter thanks to the early groundwork.
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Yes. Your child's first consultation and exam are complimentary, as well as any follow-up growth monitoring visits, with no obligation.