Make An Appointment
  • Germantown Office
  • Southaven Office
  • Olive Branch Office
  • Germantown
  • Southaven
  • Olive Branch
Make An Appointment
New Patient Forms
  • Germantown Office
  • Southaven Office
  • Olive Branch Office
  • Make An Appointment
  • Orthodontics
    • Ortho Treatment
    • Types of Braces
    • Invisalign®
    • Your First Ortho Visit
    • Super Smile Club
    • Smile Gallery
  • Pediatric Dentistry
    • Prevention & Hygiene
    • Restorative Care
    • Your First Pediatric Visit
  • About PDGO
    • Our Mission
    • Our Doctors
    • Making a Difference
    • Testimonials
    • FAQs
  • Our Blog
  • Contact
  • Germantown
  • Southaven
  • Olive Branch

What to Expect

Home > What to Expect
  • Early Treatment of Kids
  • Teens and Adults
  • Braces FAQs

Orthodontic Treatment

  • Ortho Treatment
  • Types of Braces
  • Invisalign
  • Your First Visit
  • Super Smile Club
  • Smile Gallery

Early Treatment of Kids

Early orthodontic treatment is preventative and can help avoid future serious issues.

When to Visit

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children be evaluated by an Orthodontic Specialist by age 7. We know what you’re thinking - that’s sort of young and my child still has baby teeth?! You’re right, and the hope is that the majority of kids don’t need braces until around 11-14.

However, it is very important for children to see an Orthodontic Specialist around age 7 to make sure there isn’t any dangerous teeth situations or traumatic bite or jaw issues, like severe crowding, cross bites, or underbites. These could be harmful for a child to grow and develop with and make things difficult to correct at a later age. Sometimes tooth extractions or surgery could have been avoided if caught and addressed early while bones are still growing. With the hope of setting every child up for success down the road, it really is beneficial to have our PDGO orthodontists take a quick peek to make sure your little one is on a healthy and safe path.

MOST children do not need early intervention and are ready to join our PDGO Observation Program and have their growth and development monitored every 6-12 months, or when they visit PDGO for their routine dental cleaning.

You might consider bringing your child to us for early prevention if:

  • They have trouble breaking a thumb-sucking habit
  • A speech impediment exists
  • Your child’s jaw comes together in an abnormal way when they bite
  • Your child’s teeth do not come together, or do so in an irregular manner
  • There is an issue with breathing
  • Teeth protrude from the upper or lower jaw
  • Your child has problems with chewing and biting
  • Your child loses their baby teeth too early or too late

Early Orthodontics for Children

From your initial consult, we will explain if there would be any benefit to performing early treatment, or Phase I orthodontics. Phase I treatment is mainly aimed at improving major bite issues, severe crowding or spacing, or any social concerns that your child may have. Phase I treatment typically lasts around one year and the goal is to set your child up for an easier and more successful round of comprehensive treatment in the future.

Phase I treatment typically consists of limited braces or appliances, like an expander. After Phase I treatment is complete, your child will enter into our PDGO Observation Program so we can monitor continued growth and development until all permanent teeth are erupted and ready for complete correction in Phase II treatment.

Pre-Orthodontic Observation

Super Smile Club, PDGO's Observation Program allows us to spot problems early, which often means that your child can avoid more complicated and lengthy treatment later.

Why keep a close eye on your youngster?

  • Monitoring Baby and Adult Teeth: Our doctors will keep track of lost baby teeth and erupting adult teeth at each observation visit. If baby teeth aren’t falling out when they should or if permanent teeth are erupting in the wrong way, we will recommend the best way to address any problems to keep your child’s bite as healthy as possible.
  • Planning Future Treatment: During pre-orthodontic observation, we will consult with you regarding your child’s future treatment. You can work together with our orthodontists to plan the optimal time to begin treatment.
  • Ideal Timing: By starting with pre-orthodontic observation early, you gain much more control over how and when your child gets braces. This ensures that the braces aren’t worn for longer than necessary.
  • Oral Health: Routine evaluation of the jaws and tissue is helpful in determining the presence of any harmful pathology.

Teens and Adults

By straightening your teeth with one of our esthetic treatment options, you can gain a more attractive
smile and a life-altering confidence.

Let PDGO Improve Your Smile

Orthodontics is not just for little kids

Although orthodontic problems are best treated during childhood, it’s never too late to get the smile you’ve always wanted! Many adolescents and young adults choose to receive orthodontic treatment because they understand the importance of maintaining their health, and they want to feel better about their appearance. A great smile improves your overall confidence and studies have found it can boost success in school and the workforce!

MAKE AN Appointment Now

Braces FAQs

At what age should my child see an Orthodontist?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening at age 7. This is to make sure there isn’t any dangerous teeth situations or traumatic bite or jaw issues that could be harmful for a child to grow with. Hopefully your child doesn’t need any orthodontic treatment until all their permanent teeth are erupted, around age 11-14.

Should I see an Orthodontic Specialist?

We believe your smile deserves a specialist! Orthodontic specialists completed an extra 2-3 years of specialized residency beyond dental school to train specifically in tooth movement and facial development. Orthodontic specialists have specific and extensive knowledge in growth and development that enables them to provide patients with safe, professional, and personalized treatments. Rest assured, all our orthodontists at PDGO are specialists!

Who needs braces?

Many people seek orthodontic care to achieve the smile and confidence they’ve always desired. But you may not know, there are some pretty significant health benefits too! Straightening crooked teeth creates a healthy bite, making it easier for you to clean, chew, and even speak. Taking action to get your teeth and bite in shape can prevent more serious dental issues later in life.

Will my teeth straighten out as they grow?

Unfortunately, they will not. The space available for the front teeth does not increase as you grow. In most people, after the permanent molars erupt, the space available for the front teeth decreases with age.

Do braces hurt?

Generally, braces do not "hurt." After certain visits, teeth may be sore for a few days. In these situations, over-the-counter pain relievers such as Advil or Tylenol can help ease the discomfort. However, after most visits, patients do not feel much soreness at all!

How long will it take to complete treatment?

Treatment time obviously depends on each patient's specific orthodontic problem. In general, treatment times range from 12 to 24 months. Yours could be a little shorter or longer depending on the nature of the issue.

How often will I have appointments?

Appointments are scheduled according to each patient's needs. Most patients will be seen every 6 to 10 weeks. If there are specific situations that require more or less frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly.

Can I still play sports?

Yes, and we will recommend a specific mouth guard for your particular sport!

Do I still need to see my dentist while in braces?

Absolutely! Routine checkups with your dentist are important while in braces to be certain that your teeth and gums are staying healthy.

Are there foods I cannot eat while in braces?

Yep! Once treatment begins, we will explain the complete instructions and provide a comprehensive list of foods to avoid. Some of those foods include: ice, hard candy, and all sticky foods (i.e. caramel and taffy). You can avoid most emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces by carefully following our instructions.

What if I am interested in Invisalign?

At PDGO, we are able to correct similar orthodontic problems with both Invisalign and braces! We will be happy to talk through the benefits and differences you can expect from Invisalign treatment and determine which is best for you! Check out our Invisalign FAQs to learn more.

begin treatment and achieve the best
possible results for your child

Schedule Your Appointment Now

STAY UPDATED

eNews Signup

footer-logo

Pediatric Dental Group & Orthodontics serves infants, children, and teens in Germantown, TN, as well as Southaven and Olive Branch, MS. From baby teeth to braces, PDGO is here for every stage of your child’s life.

QUICK LINKS

Make an Appointment

Why Pediatrics?

Orthodontics

Interested in Braces?

Your First Pediatric Visit

Your First Orthodontic Visit

Our Mission

FAQs

Testimonials

OUR LOCATIONS

Germantown Office
1365 S Germantown Rd
Germantown, TN 38138

901-363-8191

Southaven Office
7734 Airways Blvd.
Southaven, MS 38671

662-349-3838

Olive Branch Office
9880 Goodman Road
Olive Branch, MS 38654

662-470-4919

Copyright © 2020 Pediatric Dental Group & Orthodontics. All Rights Reserved. Digital Marketing by