Early Orthodontic Treatment in Redwood City, CA

Guiding Growing Smiles at the Right Time

Smile Craft Dental offers early (Phase 1) orthodontic treatment for children in Redwood City — with an orthodontist on-site who can spot bite and spacing problems while your child still has baby teeth.

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Early Orthodontics Provider · Redwood City, CA

When children still have their baby teeth, they may already show signs of needing early orthodontic intervention. Children with extra teeth or exceptionally crowded teeth may be candidates, and teeth that are excessively spaced out can also be a sign. Early orthodontics may also benefit children with bite problems — an underbite, where the lower teeth jut out further than the upper teeth, or a crossbite, where the jaw shifts to the side. Genetics is the most common reason for a bite problem, but some issues are linked to thumb-sucking, prolonged pacifier use, or bottle use. At Smile Craft Dental, our on-site orthodontist evaluates young patients in Redwood City and recommends treatment only when it will make a real difference in your child’s long-term smile and jaw development.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic evaluation by age 7.

Is Early Orthodontic Treatment Right for Your Child?

Early orthodontic treatment can help with a range of bite and spacing issues in young children. Here's what to look for:

Extra teeth or exceptionally crowded baby teeth

Teeth that are excessively spaced out

An underbite or crossbite affecting the bite

Thumb-sucking, pacifier, or bottle habits past toddler age

Child is around age 7 and due for a first orthodontic evaluation

A family history of jaw or bite irregularities

Not sure if your child needs early intervention? Our free consultation includes an evaluation and a clear recommendation from our orthodontist — no pressure, no commitment.

Why the Right Timing Matters

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children see an orthodontist by age 7. At that age, most kids still have the majority of their baby teeth along with their permanent front teeth and first adult molars — giving our orthodontist a clear picture of how the bite and jaw are developing. Phase 1 orthodontics typically begins around age 6 and up to age 9, and this phase may last between 9 and 18 months depending on severity. Starting early can guide jaw growth and create room for permanent teeth, sometimes reducing the need for more extensive treatment later.

What to Expect: The Early Orthodontic Treatment Journey

No surprises, no pressure. Here's how early orthodontic treatment typically unfolds.

Evaluation by age 7 to check bite and spacing

We use advanced 3D imaging to map your teeth — no messy impressions. You'll see a preview of your projected smile before committing to anything.

Phase 1 treatment begins — space maintainers, expanders, or appliances guide growth

Your case is reviewed by our on-site orthodontist. You'll receive a timeline, a tray count, and a clear picture of what your treatment will accomplish.

Resting phase — a retainer and monitoring appointments only, no new appliances

Your custom trays are ordered and arrive quickly. You'll wear each set for about two weeks, switching at home on your own schedule.

Phase 2 begins — braces (wires, bands, and brackets) placed to straighten teeth, typically lasting 12–24 months

We monitor your progress with short office visits — no lengthy appointments. Most patients are in and out in under 30 minutes.

Retention — a retainer is recommended to maintain the new alignment

Once treatment is complete, we fit you with a retainer to hold your results long-term. The finish line is clearer than you'd expect.

Insurance & Financing for Early Orthodontics

Cost shouldn’t be the reason you delay evaluating your child’s bite and jaw development. At Smile Craft Dental, we accept most major PPO dental insurance plans — many of which include orthodontic benefits that cover part of early orthodontic treatment. Check with your insurer for your plan’s specific limits and coverage. We also offer Cherry financing with flexible monthly payment plans, so cost does not have to be a barrier to starting treatment at the right time. Our team reviews your specific coverage and payment options during your child’s consultation.

Signs Your Child May Benefit From Early Orthodontic Treatment

Early orthodontic problems can show up while your child still has their baby teeth. Children with extra teeth or exceptionally crowded teeth may be candidates for Phase 1 treatment, and teeth that are excessively spaced out can also be a sign that intervention would help. Bite problems are another common reason for early evaluation — an underbite, where the lower teeth jut out further than the upper teeth, or a crossbite, where the jaw shifts to one side, can both benefit from guided correction while the jaw is still growing. Genetics is the most common cause of a bite problem, but some issues are linked to thumb-sucking, prolonged pacifier use, or bottle use past toddler age. Not every child needs Phase 1 treatment — patients who have already lost most of their baby teeth, or whose problems are minor, may do just as well waiting for Phase 2 treatment alone. Our orthodontist evaluates each child individually to determine whether early intervention, monitoring, or Phase 2-only treatment is the right path forward.

Treatment Timeline for Early Orthodontics

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children see an orthodontist by age 7. Phase 1 orthodontics typically begins around age 6 and up to age 9, and this phase may last between 9 and 18 months depending on severity. Some patients enter a resting phase before Phase 2, wearing only a retainer and attending monitoring appointments with no new appliances placed. Phase 2 — braces to fully straighten the teeth — typically takes 12 to 24 months. Our orthodontist will map out a timeline specific to your child at their evaluation.

Phase 1 vs. Phase 2: What's the Difference?

Not every child needs both phases. Here's how the two stages of early orthodontic treatment differ.

Factor Phase 1 Phase 2 Timing Age 6–9, while baby teeth remain After most baby teeth are lost Duration 9–18 months 12–24 months Appliances used Space maintainers, expanders, headgear, retainers Braces — wires, bands, and brackets Goal Guide jaw and permanent tooth growth Fully align and straighten permanent teeth

Your Care Team in Redwood City

Early orthodontic treatment at Smile Craft combines your general dentist's familiarity with your child's case and an orthodontist's specialty training.

Dr. Amy Nguyen, DDS

Lead Dentist · Smile Craft Dental Redwood City

Dr. Amy leads Smile Craft Dental with a commitment to technology, continuing education, and patient-centered care. She works alongside an on-site orthodontist on every Invisalign case, ensuring your treatment plan is shaped by specialist-level expertise — while keeping you comfortable in a practice you already know. Her approach is straightforward: explain everything clearly, listen carefully, and never recommend a treatment that isn’t the right fit.

Invisalign TrainedAdvanced Continuing EducationBay Area Practice Since 2019Spanish-Speaking Staff

What Redwood City Patients Say

4.9 stars across 556 Google reviews. Here's what patients describe about their experience at Smile Craft.

Frequently Asked Questions About Early Orthodontic Treatment

The questions parents ask most about early orthodontic treatment — answered plainly.

How long does Invisalign take?

At age 6-7, children still have most of their baby teeth along with their permanent front teeth and first adult molars — a combination that's key for our orthodontist to evaluate bite and alignment early. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first evaluation by this age.

Does Invisalign hurt?

During Phase 1, appointments are typically every four to eight weeks. After transitioning to Phase 2, your child will continue with regular monitoring appointments to track progress and make adjustments.

How much does Invisalign cost in Redwood City?

An expander gently enlarges the palate to make room for adult teeth and future Phase 2 treatment. Depending on your child's needs, they may wear an upper or lower expander for several weeks to a few months.

Can I eat and drink normally with Invisalign?

Spacers are small bands placed between teeth to open space for future dental appliances. Rubber spacers are usually worn for a week or two, while metal spacers may be worn longer.

Does Smile Craft offer Invisalign for teens?

Minor discomfort is common after getting an expander, appliance, or braces. Our orthodontist may recommend temporary diet modifications for a few hours after treatment to help your child stay comfortable.

Is Invisalign covered by insurance?

Many PPO dental insurance plans include orthodontic benefits that cover part of early orthodontic treatment. Check with your insurer for your plan's specific coverage limits.

Ready to Schedule Your Child's Orthodontic Evaluation?

Smile Craft Dental is a family dental practice with two Bay Area locations — Redwood City and Sunnyvale — serving patients of all ages. Dr. Janice Chou, a University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry graduate with an AEGD residency, leads a team committed to continued education, advanced technology, and clear communication at every step of care. We accept most PPO insurance plans and offer Cherry financing to help make treatment accessible. If your child is around age 7 or showing signs of a bite or spacing problem, we make it easy to get started. Contact us to request an early orthodontic evaluation and take the first step toward guiding their smile in the right direction.

2531 El Camino Real · Redwood City, CA 94061
Serving San Carlos, Belmont, and the Peninsula

Smile Craft Dental

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