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Is it too early, or did we wait too long? A pediatric orthodontist's guide for South Kingstown and Narragansett parents, including the age seven guideline and what we watch for as kids grow.
When parents in South Kingstown and Narragansett start looking for a pediatric orthodontist, the question is usually some version of the same thing: is it too early, or did we wait too long? It is a fair question, and the honest answer is that it depends on the child. Here is how we think about kids and orthodontics at Anchor Orthodontics in Wakefield.
An orthodontist is a dentist who completed several additional years of specialty training in how teeth, jaws, and the bite develop. A pediatric focus means paying close attention to growth and timing, because a child's jaw is still forming, and that is an advantage we can use rather than work around. The goal with a young patient is rarely to fix everything at once. It is to guide what is developing so the permanent teeth and the jaw end up in a better place.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have a first orthodontic evaluation by age seven. By that age most kids have a mix of baby and permanent teeth, which gives us a clear read on how the bite and jaw are coming together. We see children from Wakefield, Peace Dale, Kingston, North Kingstown, Narragansett, Matunuck, Green Hill, and Charlestown for exactly this kind of early look.
This surprises parents, but the majority of children who come in for an early evaluation do not need anything done that day. What we are doing is setting a baseline and watching how things develop. Think of it like a well child visit with the pediatrician. Most of the time everything looks good, and you are glad you checked.
When we evaluate a young patient, we are looking at more than whether the teeth are straight. A crossbite, where the upper and lower teeth do not line up correctly, is something we like to address early because it can affect jaw growth. Crowding can often be managed by using the jaw's natural growth to create space, sometimes avoiding extractions later. An underbite is best caught during growth, because options narrow as a child gets older. And a narrow upper arch can affect not just the teeth but the airway, which brings us to the part many parents do not expect.
A child's jaw structure and airway are connected. When the upper arch is narrow, kids can fall into patterns of mouth breathing, snoring, restless sleep, and even daytime behavior that can look like hyperactivity. If your child snores regularly, grinds their teeth at night, or breathes through their mouth, an orthodontic evaluation that includes the airway is worth doing. This is an area Dr. Lavigne has trained in extensively and lectures on nationally.
We have worked hard to make our Wakefield office a place kids are comfortable. At a first visit we look at the teeth, bite, and jaw development, review imaging with minimal radiation, and explain what we see in plain language. We will tell you whether treatment is needed now, soon, or not for a while. No pressure, no hard sell.
When early treatment does make sense, it usually comes in two parts. Phase 1 happens while a child still has baby teeth and focuses on guiding jaw growth, often with a palate expander. It is almost always under a year. Phase 2, if needed, comes later once the permanent teeth are in, and is typically braces or aligners to finish the alignment. Many kids never need Phase 1 at all. The point of early evaluation is knowing which group your child is in.
Anchor Orthodontics is at 24 Salt Pond Road, Suite A3 in Wakefield, serving families across South County, with a second office on the East Side of Providence. Dr. Courtney Lavigne and Dr. Lauren Cardarelli see patients Monday through Thursday. Book online at anchororthodontics.com/booking or call (401) 782-1221. You do not need a referral to come in.
