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Orthodontics for Kids in
Northridge and Calabasas
At Pair & Hoang Orthodontics, we treat our youngest San Fernando Valley patients like they are our own family. For the vast majority of children, we just observe jaw, dentition, and airway development, and make sure there is a solid foundation for their permanent dentition to come in naturally.
We provide a complimentary growth and airway check around age 7 and provide honest advice on whether any treatment is needed at this time.
Child Phase I Interceptive (Age 6-10)
Phase I
When some primary teeth (also called baby teeth) are still present, we can begin to correct problems like severe overbites, underbites, and crossbites. Facial growth modification can be very effective at this age to treat some orthodontic patients, rather than waiting until the patient’s permanent teeth are all in. By gently correcting dental, jaw, and airway development early, we can address potential issues before they worsen with age.
Common reasons for Phase I treatment:
• A crossbite
• A narrow upper jaw that leaves no room for the adult teeth
• Severe crowding in the front teeth around age eight
• Front teeth that stick out
• An underbite, where the lower jaw grows ahead of the upper
• Habits like thumb sucking that are still changing the shape of the bite
Child Phase I Interceptive (Age 6-10)
Why Age 7?
By seven, the first adult molars and front teeth are in, which is enough for an orthodontist to see how the bite is forming and whether the upper and lower jaws are developing normally.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check by age 7.
The first visit takes about 45 minutes. One of the doctors looks at your child's teeth and bite, we take digital photos and, if there's a reason to, a panoramic X-ray. Then we sit down with you and go through what we see. If treatment makes sense, you'll leave with a plan, a timeline and a cost. If it doesn't, you'll leave with a date to come back. There's no charge for any of it, and no pressure to start anything.
Orthodontic Treatment For kids
Growth & Airway Screening
At every child's first visit we look at more than teeth. How a child breathes affects how the face and jaws grow, and a narrow palate, mouth breathing, snoring, or enlarged tonsils and adenoids can all show up in the shape of the bite. If we see something, we'll explain what it is and, when it's outside what orthodontics can address, point you to the right pediatric specialist. Dr. Pair and Dr. Hoang screen for growth and airway concerns as a standard part of a kids' exam, not an add-on.
Child Phase II Interceptive (Age 12-13)
Phase II Interceptive
Phase II treatment usually occurs a few years after the completion of Phase I and after most of the child's permanent teeth erupt. The goal of Phase II treatment is to achieve an ideal occlusion with all of the permanent teeth.
Phase I Interceptive FAQs
Normally by age 7, but anytime between 6-10 can be beneficial. By age 7 there are enough adult teeth in to see how the bite is developing. For the majority of patients, we won't need to recommend any treatment, the visit is complimentary, and we'll just observe development every few years.
Phase I is early treatment for a specific problem, done between about ages 6 and 10 while a child still has baby teeth. It usually takes 9 to 12 months and uses an expander or a partial set of braces. It's followed by a break while the adult teeth come in, and often a shorter Phase II in the early teens.
No. Most don't. We recommend it for cases like crossbites, narrow upper jaws, severe crowding, protruding front teeth and underbites, because those get harder to fix once growth slows down. For most patients, we take records and observe growth.
There should not be much pain. Kids do feel pressure for a few days after each turn and may talk or swallow a little differently for the first week. Mild discomfort is normal, and a gap between the front teeth is expected and closes later.
Northridge Hours:
Calabasas Hours:
Northridge location:
18907 Nordhoff St., #42Northridge, CA 91324
Calabasas location:
23622 Calabasas Road, #101Calabasas, CA 91302