Early orthodontics in Pittsburgh and Allison Park, PA, gives our orthodontist an opportunity to evaluate how a child’s teeth, jaws and bite are developing before all of the permanent teeth have erupted. At Smiles by Smith Orthodontics, early evaluation does not automatically mean early treatment. The goal is to identify concerns, monitor growth and recommend care only when the timing may provide a meaningful benefit.
Dr. Bradley D. Smith has more than 20 years of experience in early and interceptive orthodontics and has treated approximately 4,000 early or Phase I orthodontic cases. He has also completed approximately 1,000 hours of continuing education focused on early orthodontics, growth and development and dentofacial orthopedics.
Why Early Orthodontic Evaluations Matter
Children’s teeth and jaws change significantly as they grow. An early orthodontic evaluation allows our orthodontist to identify developing bite, spacing, eruption or jaw-growth concerns and determine whether treatment is needed now, later or possibly not at all.
The American Association of Orthodontists® recommends an orthodontic evaluation around age 7. At this stage, many children have a mixture of baby and permanent teeth, which gives our orthodontist useful information about how the smile and bite are developing.
An early evaluation may help our orthodontist assess:
- Jaw and facial growth
- Tooth eruption and alignment
- Crowding or spacing
- Overbite, overjet, crossbite, open bite and other bite relationships
- Missing, extra or impacted teeth
- Oral habits that may affect development
- Breathing patterns, tongue posture and oral muscle function when relevant
- Whether treatment should begin now or be monitored over time
Early Orthodontics in Pittsburgh and Allison Park, PA
Our approach to early orthodontics is based on timing, not on treating every concern as soon as it is found. Dr. Smith evaluates each child’s dental development, bite, jaw relationships and growth pattern before recommending care.
Some children may benefit from Phase I treatment while growth is occurring. Others are better served by observation until more permanent teeth erupt or the jaws develop further.
When treatment is appropriate, it may address concerns such as a narrow upper jaw, certain crossbites, significant crowding, eruption problems or developing jaw discrepancies. Some children may later need braces, clear aligners or another phase of treatment after more permanent teeth have erupted.
Not Every Child Needs Early Treatment
One of the most important parts of early orthodontic care is knowing when to wait. Dr. Smith does not automatically recommend an appliance or Phase I treatment simply because an orthodontic concern is present.
If treatment is not yet necessary, the child can be monitored while the teeth, bite and jaws continue developing. This helps our orthodontist recommend care at a more appropriate stage if a need becomes clear later.
That monitoring philosophy is the foundation of the Growing Grins Kids Club.
Growing Grins Kids Club
The Growing Grins Kids Club is Smiles by Smith Orthodontics’s complimentary orthodontic growth-monitoring program for children who are not yet ready to begin treatment. It allows Dr. Smith to follow dental and facial development over time instead of starting treatment before it is needed.
After a child’s initial orthodontic evaluation, our orthodontist may recommend Growing Grins when continued observation is the most appropriate next step.
What We Monitor During Growing Grins Visits
Depending on the child’s age and development, Dr. Smith may monitor:
- Dental development
- Jaw and facial growth
- Tooth eruption and alignment
- Bite development
- Crowding and spacing
- Missing, extra or impacted teeth
- Oral habits
- Breathing patterns when appropriate
- Whether it is the right time to begin orthodontic treatment
Follow-up visits may be scheduled approximately every six, nine or 12 months based on the child’s needs. The goal is to watch development carefully so treatment can begin at an appropriate time if it becomes necessary.
Making Growth Monitoring Positive for Kids
The Growing Grins program is also designed to make orthodontic observation more enjoyable for children. Program materials include features such as Brace Bucks earned at observation visits, prizes and gift cards, a welcome bag, monthly contests and a surprise tooth bonus when a loose tooth comes out during a visit.
These features help children become comfortable with the orthodontic office while our team continues to monitor their developing smile.
Working With Your Child’s Dentist
Growing Grins also encourages families to maintain regular dental examinations and cleanings. Our team values communication with general and pediatric dentists and can coordinate care when orthodontic findings affect broader dental planning.
Dr. Smith has managed approximately 3,000 interdisciplinary orthodontic cases involving collaboration with dentists and other dental or healthcare professionals.
Palatal Expansion, Airway and Oral Habits
An early orthodontic evaluation may identify concerns involving jaw width, breathing patterns, tongue posture or oral habits. These factors are considered as part of the broader orthodontic picture when they are clinically relevant.
For children with a narrow upper jaw or certain crossbites, our orthodontist may recommend palatal expansion. Dr. Smith has treated approximately 3,500 palatal expansion cases and has more than 20 years of experience with orthodontic expansion techniques.
Dr. Smith has also incorporated airway orthodontic considerations into treatment planning for approximately 12 years. When breathing, tongue posture or swallowing patterns appear relevant, our orthodontist may also consider myofunctional therapy or collaboration with an ENT, myofunctional therapist or another healthcare provider.
Orthodontic treatment should not be considered a guaranteed treatment for breathing or sleep disorders. The goal is to identify relevant orthodontic findings and involve other providers when additional evaluation is needed.
Digital Technology for Early Orthodontic Evaluation
Orthodontic technology can help our orthodontist document growth, evaluate tooth development and plan treatment when necessary.
Dr. Smith has used digital intraoral scanning for more than 10 years and cone beam 3D imaging for approximately 10 years. When appropriate, CBCT imaging can provide a three-dimensional view of developing teeth and surrounding dental and skeletal structures.
Imaging is used when clinically appropriate rather than automatically for every child.
What Happens If My Child Needs Treatment?
If Dr. Smith determines that treatment would be beneficial, the recommendation is based on the specific problem being addressed rather than simply the child’s age.
Treatment may involve:
- Palatal expansion when appropriate
- Limited braces or another orthodontic appliance
- Space management
- Guidance of developing tooth eruption
- Habit-related treatment
- Myofunctional therapy when oral muscle patterns are relevant
- Monitoring before or after active treatment
- Coordination with another dental or medical provider when needed
Our orthodontist will explain why treatment is being recommended, what it is intended to accomplish and whether another phase of orthodontic care may be expected later.
A Positive First Orthodontic Experience
Early orthodontic visits should help children and parents feel informed and comfortable. Our team takes time to explain what we are evaluating and what the next step should be.
If treatment is not yet needed, families can leave with a clear monitoring plan. If treatment is recommended, our orthodontist will explain the reasons, options and timing so parents can make an informed decision.
Schedule an Early Orthodontic Evaluation in Pittsburgh and Allison Park, PA
If your child is approaching age 7 or you have concerns about crowding, tooth eruption, jaw development, bite alignment, oral habits or breathing patterns, our orthodontist can provide a comprehensive early orthodontic evaluation in Pittsburgh and Allison Park, PA.
If your child is not yet ready for treatment, they may be able to join the Growing Grins Kids Club so our team can monitor development and help determine the appropriate time for future care.
We also welcome families from nearby Fox Chapel and surrounding communities.
Contact our office today to schedule your child’s orthodontic evaluation and learn more about early orthodontics and the Growing Grins Kids Club.
Frequently Asked Questions About Early Orthodontics
What age should my child first see an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic evaluation around age 7. This allows our orthodontist to evaluate developing teeth, bite relationships and jaw growth while a child still has a combination of baby and permanent teeth.
Does an evaluation at age 7 mean my child will need treatment?
No. Many children do not need immediate treatment. Our orthodontist may recommend monitoring growth and dental development until treatment becomes appropriate, if treatment is needed at all.
What is the Growing Grins Kids Club?
The Growing Grins Kids Club is our complimentary orthodontic monitoring program for children who are not yet ready for treatment. Dr. Smith follows tooth eruption, bite development, jaw growth and other orthodontic changes so treatment can begin at an appropriate time if necessary.
How often are Growing Grins visits scheduled?
Follow-up visits may be scheduled approximately every six, nine or 12 months depending on the child’s growth, tooth development and orthodontic needs.
What is Phase I orthodontic treatment?
Phase I treatment is orthodontic care provided while a child still has a mixture of baby and permanent teeth. It is typically recommended when a specific developmental, bite, eruption or jaw-growth concern may benefit from treatment during growth.
Will early orthodontic treatment prevent braces later?
Not necessarily. Early treatment addresses specific developmental concerns, but some children still need comprehensive braces or another orthodontic treatment after more permanent teeth have erupted.
Do you evaluate breathing and oral habits?
Yes, when relevant. Our orthodontist may consider mouth breathing, tongue posture, swallowing patterns and oral habits as part of the broader orthodontic evaluation. Medical breathing or sleep concerns may require evaluation by another healthcare provider.
Do you offer early orthodontics in Pittsburgh and Allison Park, PA?
Yes. Our orthodontist and team provide early orthodontic evaluations, growth monitoring and treatment at our offices in Pittsburgh and Allison Park, PA. We also welcome families from nearby Fox Chapel and surrounding communities.