Orthodontics for Kids
Between ages 7 and 12, children are in a critical development window for tooth and jaw growth.
Dr. Hagan sees kids of all ages to monitor development and determine the course of action for treatment.
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Setting the Foundation
When Should My Child See an Orthodontist?
An orthodontic evaluation is recommended at the age of 7.
At this age, we can see enough to spot problems early – such as crossbites, crowding patterns, and jaw growth issues.
This evaluation is rarely about putting braces on immediately. It’s about establishing a baseline, and most children at age 7 do not need active treatment.
However, seeing where the teeth and jaws are positioned early allows us to determine the best timing for treatment, either immediately or later on.
Tracking Healthy Growth
What We Look For as Teeth and Jaws Develop
Jaw Growth
Dr. Hagan will check if the upper jaw is too narrow or if the lower jaw is growing faster or slower than the upper.
Eruption Paths
We’ll also look at X-rays to see if adult teeth are blocked out or heading in the wrong direction.
Oral Habits
Some oral habits, such as prolonged thumb sucking or tongue posture, can affect bone structure. We assess if these habits are causing damage.
Tooth Spacing
Too much space or not enough. Both indicate how the permanent teeth will land and if the dental arch can hold them all without intervention.
Common Orthodontic Issues in Children
Crossbite
One or more upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when biting down. This can cause the jaw to shift to one side, leading to uneven jaw growth and enamel wear.
Severe Crowding
The jaw is too small to accommodate the permanent teeth coming in. Without management, this can lead to impacted teeth (teeth stuck in the bone/gums) that require surgery to expose later.
Protrusion
This is when the upper front teeth stick out significantly, making them especially prone to trauma or fracture during play or sports.
Open Bite
Upper front teeth don’t overlap the lower front teeth when biting. This can affect chewing and speech, and it often ties back to habits or growth patterns that need a plan.
Overbite
The top front teeth cover too much of the bottom front teeth. An overbite, also known as a deep bite, can cause wear, gum irritation behind the upper front teeth, and can trap the lower jaw in a less ideal position.
Underbite
The bottom front teeth in front of the top front teeth. This can worsen with growth and can lead to uneven wear, shifting, and long-term bite instability if ignored.
Treatment Options for Kids
Observation and Monitoring
Sometimes the right “treatment” is no active treatment.
Monitoring visits let us:
- Track eruption (what’s coming in and what’s not)
- Watch crowding develop (or not develop)
- Catch bite shifts early
- Choose the cleanest time to start if treatment becomes necessary
This is a very frequent outcome for younger kids. With monitoring, the goal is to intervene at the moment when treatment will be most efficient, if required.
Early Orthodontics (Phase 1)
Some problems are best handled while a child is still growing.
Phase 1 treatment is for kids who will benefit by intercepting issues while growth is still happening. It addresses specific developmental issues that would be harder to fix later – things like narrow jaws, crossbites, severe crowding, or protruding teeth at risk of injury.
Phase 1 often uses expanders, limited braces, space maintainers, or other growth-guidance appliances to remedy issues.
Phase 2 is the second stage, usually when more adult teeth are in, where full braces or aligners are used to finalize placement.
Orthodontics For Kids FAQ
Contact Us
Join our mailing list to receive important updates and information.
Opening Summer 2026.
Communities we Serve
We treat patients from across Washington, D.C., Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Charles, and Calvert counties, and more. Some communities we serve include: