The Growing Grins Club at Smiles by Smith Orthodontics is a complimentary orthodontic growth-monitoring program for children who are not yet ready for treatment. At our offices in Pittsburgh and Allison Park, PA, Dr. Bradley D. Smith can monitor a child’s dental development, jaw growth and tooth eruption over time so treatment can begin when the timing is appropriate.
An early orthodontic evaluation does not always mean a child needs braces or another appliance right away. In many cases, the best approach is to watch growth and development carefully. The Growing Grins Club gives families a structured way to stay connected with our team while their child continues to grow.
What Is the Growing Grins Club?
The Growing Grins Club is designed for children who have completed an orthodontic evaluation but are not yet ready to begin active treatment. Instead of treating too early, our orthodontist can continue monitoring development and determine whether orthodontic treatment may become beneficial later.
Growth-monitoring visits are complimentary and may be scheduled approximately every six, nine or 12 months depending on the child’s stage of development and orthodontic needs. During these visits, Dr. Smith can evaluate changes and help families understand whether continued observation or treatment is the appropriate next step.
Why Monitor Orthodontic Growth?
Children develop at different rates. Teeth may erupt earlier or later than expected, jaw relationships can change with growth and some orthodontic concerns become clearer as permanent teeth emerge. Regular monitoring allows our orthodontist to evaluate these changes without automatically beginning treatment.
Depending on the child, monitoring may include:
- Dental development and permanent tooth eruption
- Jaw and facial growth
- Crowding or spacing
- Bite development
- Missing, extra or impacted teeth
- Changes in tooth alignment
- Oral habits that may affect development
- Breathing or airway considerations when relevant
- The timing of possible future orthodontic treatment
The goal is to identify the right time to act rather than beginning orthodontic treatment simply because a child has reached a certain age.
Early Evaluation Does Not Always Mean Early Treatment
The American Association of Orthodontists® recommends an initial orthodontic evaluation around age 7. At that age, children typically have a combination of baby teeth and permanent teeth, giving an orthodontist an opportunity to evaluate developing bite and growth patterns.
Many children evaluated at this age do not need immediate treatment. Dr. Smith has treated approximately 4,000 early or Phase I orthodontic cases, but his approach is to evaluate early and treat only when there is a clear reason to do so. Children who are not ready for treatment can remain under observation through the Growing Grins Club until the timing is more appropriate.
For more information about situations in which earlier treatment may be recommended, visit our early orthodontics page.
What Happens at a Growing Grins Visit?
Growing Grins visits are generally shorter monitoring appointments rather than active-treatment visits. Our orthodontist can evaluate changes since the previous appointment and determine how the teeth and jaws are developing.
Depending on the child’s needs and stage of development, a visit may include:
- Checking which permanent teeth have erupted
- Monitoring available space for developing teeth
- Evaluating changes in crowding or spacing
- Reviewing bite relationships
- Monitoring jaw growth
- Checking for delayed, missing or unusually positioned teeth
- Reviewing oral habits when relevant
- Discussing whether continued monitoring or treatment is appropriate
Diagnostic records or imaging may be recommended when clinically appropriate. Dr. Smith has more than 10 years of experience using digital scanning and approximately 10 years of experience with CBCT technology.
When three-dimensional imaging is useful, our orthodontist may use CBCT imaging to gather additional information about developing teeth, jaw relationships or surrounding structures.
How Often Are Children Seen?
The timing of Growing Grins visits depends on what Dr. Smith is monitoring and where the child is in their development.
Follow-up evaluations are commonly scheduled every:
- Six months
- Nine months
- 12 months
These intervals allow enough time for meaningful growth or dental development to occur while keeping our team informed about changes that could affect future treatment timing.
Making Orthodontic Monitoring Fun
The Growing Grins Club is designed to make orthodontic monitoring a positive experience for children, even before active treatment begins. Club members may enjoy special activities and rewards such as:
- Brace Bucks
- Prizes and gift cards
- A Growing Grins welcome bag
- Monthly contests and giveaways
- Special surprises and tooth-related bonuses
These activities help children become comfortable with the orthodontic office and encourage them to stay engaged with their dental health as they grow.
Healthy Habits While We Monitor Growth
Children in the Growing Grins Club should continue regular visits with their general dentist for examinations, cleanings and preventive care.
Good brushing and flossing habits are important even when orthodontic treatment has not started. Keeping teeth and gums healthy can help prepare a child for future orthodontic care if treatment becomes necessary.
Our team may also provide age-appropriate guidance about oral hygiene, developing teeth and habits that could affect dental development.
What Happens When a Child Is Ready for Treatment?
If monitoring shows that the timing for orthodontic treatment has arrived, Dr. Smith can explain what has changed, why treatment may be recommended and which options should be considered.
Depending on the child’s needs, treatment could involve braces, palatal expansion, another early orthodontic appliance or continued observation until comprehensive treatment is appropriate.
When treatment is not yet necessary, the child simply remains in the Growing Grins Club and continues periodic monitoring.
Growing Grins Club in Pittsburgh and Allison Park, PA
The Growing Grins Club helps families stay informed about their child’s orthodontic development without committing to treatment before it is needed.
If your child has not yet had an orthodontic evaluation, contact our office to schedule a visit with our orthodontist and learn whether the Growing Grins Club may be appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Growing Grins Club
What is the Growing Grins Club?
The Growing Grins Club is a complimentary orthodontic growth-monitoring program for children who have been evaluated but are not yet ready to begin active orthodontic treatment.
Does joining the Growing Grins Club mean my child needs braces?
No. The purpose of the program is to monitor development until treatment is appropriate, if treatment is needed at all. Dr. Smith can continue observing growth rather than beginning treatment prematurely.
How often will my child visit the orthodontist?
Monitoring visits are commonly scheduled every six, nine or 12 months. The exact interval depends on the child’s dental development and what our orthodontist is monitoring.
What does the orthodontist monitor during these visits?
Our orthodontist may monitor permanent tooth eruption, crowding, spacing, jaw growth, bite development, missing or impacted teeth, oral habits and other factors that may affect future orthodontic treatment.
Is the Growing Grins Club free?
Yes. The Growing Grins Club is a complimentary growth-monitoring program for eligible children who are not yet ready to begin active orthodontic treatment.
What are Brace Bucks?
Brace Bucks are part of the fun and rewards offered through the Growing Grins experience. Children may have opportunities to participate in rewards, contests, giveaways and other activities while they are being monitored.
At what age should my child first see an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an initial orthodontic evaluation around age 7. An evaluation at this age does not necessarily mean treatment will begin. It allows our orthodontist to identify concerns and monitor development when appropriate.
What happens if my child becomes ready for orthodontic treatment?
If Dr. Smith determines that treatment may be beneficial, our team can explain the findings, treatment options and recommended timing. Families can then make an informed decision about the next step.
Where is the Growing Grins Club available?
The Growing Grins Club is available through our offices in Pittsburgh and Allison Park, PA. We also welcome children and families from nearby Fox Chapel and surrounding communities.