Orthodontics, Explained: A Guide for Rhode Island Parents

How to Choose an Orthodontist in Rhode Island: What Actually Matters

A plain-language guide to choosing an orthodontist in Rhode Island: board certification, what reviews actually tell you, airway and jaw growth, practice ownership, and how to make the most of a free kids' consultation.

Two-Phase Orthodontic Treatment: What It Is and Which Kids Actually Need It

Two-phase treatment means an early first phase around age 7 to 10, then braces or aligners later. Which kids actually need it, and what it fixes.

Do You Need a Referral to See an Orthodontist? No. Here's How It Works

You can bring your child to an orthodontist any time, no referral required. Dr. Lavigne explains how referrals actually work and why second opinions are welcome.

My Child Lost a Baby Molar Early. Now What?

When a baby molar comes out early, nearby teeth can shift within weeks. Why a simple space maintainer now can prevent years of complex treatment later.

ADHD Symptoms or a Sleep Problem? What to Rule Out First

Poor sleep from airway issues can look just like ADHD: trouble focusing, hyperactivity, outbursts. Why a sleep and airway check belongs in the conversation.

Why Does My Child Wake Up Tired? Restless Sleep and the Airway

A full night's sleep that never seems to help: covers kicked off, constant tossing. What restless sleep can reveal about your child's airway.

Bedwetting in Older Kids: When It's Not a Behavior Problem

Bedwetting past age 5 is one of the most overlooked signs of a pediatric airway issue. How restricted breathing during sleep connects to nighttime accidents.

Does Your Child Really Need Teeth Pulled for Braces? Why to Get a Second Opinion

Extraction is not the only answer to crowding. How developing the jaws can create space while protecting your child's face, profile, and airway.

Palate Expanders for Kids in Wakefield, RI: A South County Guide

What a palate expander really is, the signs your child might need one, and why widening a growing jaw helps crowding and breathing. For South County families.

Kids Braces and Invisalign in Wakefield, RI

Braces or Invisalign for your child? How we decide at our Wakefield office, what each does best, and what treatment costs for South County families.

Early Intervention and Airway Orthodontics for South County Kids

Dr. Lavigne on why early intervention is about the jaw and airway, not just straight teeth, and the growth windows South County parents do not want to miss.

Pediatric Orthodontist in South Kingstown and Narragansett, RI

Is it too early, or did we wait too long? A pediatric orthodontist's guide for South Kingstown and Narragansett parents, including the age 7 guideline.

Orthodontist in Wakefield, RI: A South County Family Guide

A South County parent's guide to choosing an orthodontist in Wakefield, RI. Meet the doctors and learn when to bring your child in.

How Much Do Braces Cost in Rhode Island? A Parent's Guide

How much do braces cost in Rhode Island? Honest market ranges for kids braces, Invisalign, and Phase 1, plus what to know before choosing an orthodontist.

Invisalign for Kids in Providence and Wakefield, RI

Is Invisalign right for your child? How clear aligners actually work, when they make sense for kids, and what Providence and Wakefield parents should know.

How Long Do Braces Take for Kids? A Providence Orthodontist Explains

12 months? 18 months? 2 years? Here's what actually determines how long your child's orthodontic treatment takes — and how to make it shorter.

What Is a Crossbite in Kids? Causes, Risks, and When to Fix It

A crossbite means your child's teeth do not line up the way they should. Why it matters for the jaw and airway, and why fixing it early is far simpler.

My Child Is Mouth Breathing. Should I See an Orthodontist?

Your child breathes through their mouth: day, night, or both. What that means for jaw development and when to see an orthodontist.

Braces vs. Invisalign for Kids: What's Actually Right for Your Child?

Every parent asks this question. The honest answer is: it depends on your child — not on what's trendy. Here's how Dr. Lavigne thinks about it.

Does My Child Need a Palate Expander? A Providence Orthodontist Explains

Your child's dentist mentioned a palate expander. How expanders work, who actually needs one, and why earlier is almost always better.

How to Find the Right Kids' Orthodontist in Providence, RI

Not all orthodontic practices are the same. What Providence parents should actually look for when choosing an orthodontist for their child.

Phase 1 Orthodontics: What Providence Parents Need to Know

If your child's dentist mentioned Phase 1 orthodontics, here's what it means, when to start, and why early treatment can make all the difference.

Pediatric Orthodontist in Providence, RI: What Providence Parents Need to Know

Looking for a pediatric orthodontist in Providence, RI? What to look for, what to expect at a first visit, and why East Side families choose Anchor.

Anchor Orthodontics Wakefield Now Has iCAT CBCT 3D Imaging

Our iCAT CBCT 3D imaging scanner has arrived in Wakefield. What CBCT technology means for your care and why we chose the lowest-radiation option available.

Orthodontist in Providence, RI: What to Look For and What to Expect

Looking for an orthodontist in Providence, RI? What to look for, what to expect at a first visit, and why East Side families choose Anchor Orthodontics.

What Is Airway Orthodontics? Signs Your Child May Need More Than Straight Teeth

Airway orthodontics looks beyond straight teeth to how your child breathes, sleeps, and grows. The signs, from snoring to grinding, and how treatment helps.

When Should My Child First See an Orthodontist? A Providence Parent's Guide

Most parents wait too long. Here's the window Dr. Lavigne and Dr. Cardarelli watch for — and why catching certain problems at age 7 changes everything.