Making kids smile is what
we are all about.
Making Kids Smile is What We Are All About
Why Kids Love Coming to Our Orthodontics Office
Kid-friendly orthodontics? You bet! We do all we can to help your kids feel safe, welcomed, and appreciated at our office, starting with friendly staff and comfortable treatments.
By prioritizing parental consultations, we commit to serving Bakersfield’s younger population whenever they need us. By avoiding surgery wherever possible, we take some of the stress off your kiddos. By minimizing appointments and shortening time in braces, we keep your little scholars from missing any more school than they need to.
And by adding a healthy dose of silliness to each visit, we’re putting the fun back in orthodontics.
Treating All Ages: Early Evaluations and Customized Care
People often ask us what the best age is for getting orthodontic treatment. The truth is, kids (and adults) of all ages can benefit from orthodontic care. That’s why we treat everyone: kids, teens, and adults.
For young kids, we offer early evaluations, which we recommend getting by age 7. Since every child develops at a different pace, we’ll measure your child’s growth at 3 to 6-month intervals before making a recommendation. Sometimes, kids need early orthodontic intervention to fix crossbite or spacing issues before all of their permanent teeth come in. Other times, the best course is to wait. If no treatment is needed, we won’t charge you anything.
When it comes to teens, we know braces can make them feel self-conscious. That’s why we offer teen-friendly orthodontic options like clear braces, lingual braces (worn behind the teeth), and Next Generation braces-which fit better than traditional braces and require less appointments. While we help your teens discover their best smile, we want to make sure they enjoy their growing up years as much as possible.
Kids Smile Success
Virtual Consultation
On your first visit, our friendly team will help your child feel at ease, and we’ll answer any questions you may have. Our waiting room is a relaxed, comfy space where you can hang out until our Ortho assistants are ready to see you.
We also offer virtual consultations, so you can talk to our orthodontic specialists without leaving your home. In a consultation, Dr. G will answer any questions you might have and discuss some possible care options for your child.
Why Every Child Should See An Orthodontist by Age 7
As an Orthodontist in Bakersfield, CA, I treat a lot of children and teens. It always pains me to see kids walk into Gianquinto OrthoArts with serious problems requiring extensive treatment, when I know those issues could have been prevented or treated much more easily if they’d come in earlier.
Detecting problems early can prevent a lot of pain and discomfort in the long run. It could mean the difference between getting easy, inexpensive treatment now, and needing much more serious treatment later – possibly even tooth extractions or surgery!
Kids Orthodontic FAQs
At what age should my child get an early orthodontic evaluation?
We recommend all children get an early orthodontic evaluation by age 7.
Can a child who still has baby teeth get orthodontic correction?
Yes. Sometimes orthodontic correction is needed at an early age to prevent more serious issues later on. For these cases, we provide interceptive orthodontics, which usually means a few braces on the front teeth.
Will misaligned teeth straighten out as they grow?
While it’s not unheard of for teeth to straighten slightly as they grow, most misaligned teeth will require orthodontic treatment, as they won’t straighten enough on their own.
Will my child have to miss school for their appointments?
Your child may occasionally have to miss school, but we do everything we can to make sure they miss as little as possible, offering flexible scheduling and treatment options that require less appointments.
Can my child return to school on the same day they get braces?
Yes. We can even provide an excusal note as needed.
Can my child still play sports with braces or clear aligners?
Absolutely! We love sports, and we don’t want your child to miss out on becoming a major league hall of famer just because of braces.
Can I drop my child off for an appointment?
You’re welcome to drop your child off for routine check-ups and adjustments. (You’re busy, we’ve been there.) But we do ask that a parent or guardian be present for certain appointments like surgical procedures and putting on or removing braces.
Do braces hurt?
At OrthoArts, we’re on a mission to make braces comfortable. To protect your kids from any unnecessary soreness or discomfort, we use braces that fit better, are easier to place, and come off sooner. While the initial placement shouldn’t hurt, some people do experience soreness as a result of braces.