If you're a parent in Providence searching for a pediatric orthodontist, you're not alone. Questions like "when should my child start orthodontic treatment?" and "how do I find the right provider for my kid?" come up every day in our office. This guide walks you through everything Providence parents need to know — from timing to what to look for in a provider.
A pediatric orthodontist focuses specifically on guiding jaw growth and tooth alignment in children and teens. While a general dentist can spot early concerns, an orthodontist has additional specialized training — typically two to three years beyond dental school — dedicated entirely to the movement of teeth and the development of the jaw and facial structure.
At Anchor Orthodontics, we treat patients of all ages, but children and teens make up the heart of our practice. Dr. Lavigne's extensive training in early intervention and airway-focused orthodontics means your child gets care that goes well beyond straight teeth — we're looking at their breathing, their jaw development, and their long-term health.
The good news for Providence families: you don't need a referral. Any parent can schedule an evaluation directly.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have their first orthodontic evaluation by age seven. This is the age when the first adult molars typically come in, giving us a clear picture of how the jaw is developing and how the bite is forming.
Here in Providence, many families are surprised when their pediatric dentist recommends an orthodontic visit at age seven. They assume treatment won't start until all the baby teeth are gone. But an evaluation at seven isn't about starting treatment — it's about monitoring growth so we can act at the right moment if needed.
For most children, the first visit is reassuring. We take a look, explain what we're seeing, and put them on a simple monitoring schedule. For the children who do need early intervention, catching issues at seven or eight is a very different conversation than catching them at thirteen.
You don't need to wait for your child's dentist to raise a concern. You can schedule an evaluation anytime. That said, here are some signs that make an earlier visit especially worthwhile:
• Crowded, overlapping, or widely spaced teeth
• Teeth that don't meet properly when biting
• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• Mouth breathing, snoring, or restless sleep
• Difficulty chewing or biting
• Jaw shifting or clicking when opening or closing
• Underbite or significant overbite
• Thumb sucking or pacifier use past age four
Many of these overlap with breathing and sleep issues — an area Dr. Lavigne pays close attention to. Mouth breathing in children, in particular, can affect jaw development and facial growth in ways that are much easier to correct early than later.
There are a lot of orthodontic practices in and around Providence. Here's what sets Anchor Orthodontics apart for families seeking pediatric orthodontic care:
Dr. Lavigne is Rhode Island's only board-certified orthodontist who is also an AAACD-accredited cosmetic dentist — a distinction held by fewer than 1% of dentists worldwide. More importantly for children, she has deep expertise in airway-focused orthodontics. That means she evaluates not just how your child's teeth look, but how their jaw and airway are developing, which can have lifelong effects on breathing, sleep, and even behavior.
We use pain-free 3D-printed palate expanders — a significant upgrade from traditional expanders that can be uncomfortable and bulky. Our LightForce custom braces are 3D-printed specifically for each patient's tooth shape, resulting in shorter treatment times. And every child sees the doctor at every appointment — not just a technician.
Our East Side Providence location, at 133 Pitman Street near Wayland Square, means no Washington Bridge crossing for East Side families. We see patients from College Hill, Fox Point, Blackstone Boulevard, Hope Village, Cranston, East Providence, and Pawtucket.
We know that bringing your child to a new doctor can feel like a big deal, especially when they're not sure what to expect. Here's what a first visit at Anchor Orthodontics actually looks like.
We start with a conversation. We want to hear from you — what you've noticed, what your child's dentist has said, any concerns about breathing or sleep. Then we take a look at your child's teeth, bite, and jaw development. We may take digital X-rays (minimal radiation, instant results) and digital scans — no goopy impressions.
After the exam, we tell you exactly what we see, in plain language. We'll let you know if treatment is needed now, soon, or not for a while. If treatment isn't needed, we'll schedule a simple monitoring check-in so nothing slips through the cracks.
There's no pressure and no hard sell. Just a clear picture of where things stand.
Anchor Orthodontics is located at 133 Pitman Street, Providence, RI 02906 — in the East Side Marketplace Plaza, conveniently situated near Wayland Square, College Hill, and Blackstone. We're open Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and offer online booking 24/7.
We accept most insurance plans, offer interest-free financing, and are happy to answer any questions before you commit to an appointment. Virtual consultations are also available for families who'd like to connect remotely first.
If you're searching for a pediatric orthodontist in Providence for your child, we'd love to meet your family. Call (401) 782-1221 or book online anytime.
— Dr. Courtney Lavigne, Board-Certified Orthodontist, Anchor Orthodontics Providence
