San Diego Early Orthodontics
Can early treatment prevent future braces?
Pediatric & Adult Dentistry:
(858) 676-5000
Orthodontics:
(858) 676-5010
Early care for growing smiles
For children as young as 6, early orthodontic care (also known as Phase One treatment) offers a proactive way to correct serious bite problems and guide healthy jaw development. At San Diego Dental Specialists, we monitor growth patterns and intervene when needed to prevent more complex issues later in life — often reducing the need for braces in the teen years.
From correcting underbites and overbites to stopping harmful habits like thumb-sucking, early treatment supports a confident, functional smile right from the start.
What can early orthodontics fix?
Encourages Healthy Jaw Growth
Corrects overbites, underbites, and crossbites to align the jaws while your child is still growing.
Prevents Crowding
Guides erupting permanent teeth into better positions by creating space early.
Stops Bad Habits
Appliances can help break thumb-sucking or tongue-thrusting patterns that harm development.
Shortens or Prevents Future Treatment
Early care often makes Phase Two treatment shorter — and in some cases, completely unnecessary.
Common early orthodontic treatments
We customize every treatment based on your child’s growth and unique needs. Common Phase One options include:
Space Maintainers
Expanders
Partial Braces
Habit Appliances
Jaw Growth Modification Appliances
What to expect at your child’s first ortho visit
We make the experience easy for kids and informative for parents. Here’s what happens:
- NEvaluation around age 6–7 ⏤ We assess jaw growth, bite development, and tooth eruption using gentle imaging and exam techniques.
- NGrowth-based diagnosis ⏤ Advanced digital x-rays and scans help us spot developing problems before they’re visible to the naked eye.
- NPersonalized treatment plan ⏤ If early intervention is needed, we’ll design a gentle, targeted treatment that fits your child’s stage of development.
- NOngoing monitoring ⏤ If no treatment is required yet, we’ll schedule check-ins to track progress as your child grows.
Flexible payment and
insurance options
We're dedicated to providing top-quality dental care that's accessible to everyone, from children to adults. We accept cash, checks, major credit cards, and a wide range of insurance plans, so you can focus on your family's oral health without worrying about the cost.
Insurance plans we accept
Let us help you make dental care simple, affordable, and stress-free for your whole family.
No Insurance? No Problem!
Don’t let a lack of insurance stop you from getting the care you need. We proudly offer CareCredit financing, allowing you to:
- NBreak payments into manageable monthly installments
- NChoose flexible plans tailored to your budget
- NAccess affordable care without upfront costs
With CareCredit, your family’s oral health is always within reach. Let us help you explore your options today!
Personalized care for patients of all ages
Our San Diego board certified pediatric dentists go above and beyond to ensure your family’s comfort, provide tailored care, and set them up for a cavity-free future.
What to expect at your first visit:
- NComprehensive oral exam
- NProfessional cleaning (if tolerated)
- NDigital x-rays (if needed)
- NFriendly discussions about your goals and dental health
For children under 3, we offer a complimentary courtesy visit to check their progress and prevent future issues. Every visit is focused on building trust and ensuring a positive experience.
We’ve been coming here for 10 years, and they always treat my children as if they were their own family. The best dental care for both kids and adults!
— G. Roed
For 20 years, I’ve trusted this orthodontist and dentist with my children’s care, and I truly believe they are the best. I even made the drive from Temecula because their expertise and honesty are worth it. It’s rare to find such trustworthy dentists, and I wholeheartedly recommend them for anyone seeking compassionate, reliable care.
— Y. Azkarzoi
My first visit was fantastic. The team was patient, and informative, and helped me clearly understand my oral health needs. Professional, kind, and understanding!
— A.W.
Visit Our Office
We strive to make your visit as comfortable as possible. Enjoy amenities like:
- Personalized entertainment: Individual music and TV/DVD viewing during your appointment.
- Free Wi-Fi: Stay connected while you wait.
11616 Iberia Place
San Diego, CA 92128
Get Directions
Tuesday: 8am – 5pm
Wednesday: 8am – 5pm
Thursday: 8am – 5pm
Friday: 8am – 2:30pm
Saturday: 8am – 3pm (2 Saturdays per month)
Pediatric & Adult Dentistry: (858) 676-5000
Orthodontics: (858) 676-5010
Healthy smiles start here
Take the first step toward exceptional dental care for your family.
Click below to schedule your visit today!