Got a dental emergency? Ask us about same day appointments
Got a dental emergency? Ask us about same day appointments
A gap-toothed grin or teeth coming in at an angle can look completely normal for a young child, which is exactly why so many Tempe parents put off asking about orthodontics until their child is much older. By the time a bite problem becomes obvious enough to worry about, the easiest window to correct it may have already started closing.
Kids Dental Center works with families throughout Tempe and the greater Chandler area, and part of our approach to pediatric care includes watching for orthodontic concerns well before a child ever needs braces. Parents often assume orthodontic evaluations belong to the teenage years, but starting the conversation early gives us far more options for guiding how a child’s bite and jaw develop, and an evaluation at our office is a straightforward, no-pressure appointment rather than a sales pitch for treatment your child may not need yet.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a child’s first orthodontic checkup by age seven, a point when a mix of baby and permanent teeth gives a clear enough picture of how the jaw is developing. Their guidance on the age seven milestone explains that early evaluation isn’t about starting treatment right away, but about catching a developing problem while options are still simple.
Crowded or crooked teeth, a bite that doesn’t line up evenly, or a jaw that seems narrower than expected can all point to something worth monitoring. A palate that hasn’t widened enough to fit incoming permanent teeth is a common finding at this age, and addressing it while a child is still growing tends to require far less intervention than waiting until the jaw has finished developing. Thumb-sucking or prolonged pacifier use can also shape a child’s bite over time, which connects directly to the concerns we look for during a habit-breaking appliance evaluation.
Most children who come in for an early evaluation don’t end up needing treatment right away. Instead, we simply keep an eye on things at regular visits so nothing catches a family off guard later.
For older children and teens who are ready for treatment, we offer clear aligners through Candid, a system that uses smartphone check-ins so families don’t need to come in as often for adjustments. Retainers and unlimited refinements over the course of treatment are included in the price, and treatment is monitored by our office alongside a partnering orthodontist for real oversight throughout.
Our clear aligner program is designed for kids around 14 and older, though we occasionally work with mature 13-year-olds when a parent feels confident their child can handle the responsibility. Wearing aligners for the recommended hours each day matters for the treatment to work as intended, so we talk openly with families about whether a child is ready for that commitment before starting. Whitening is included at no extra cost for aligner patients, and we occasionally extend that option to parents interested in straightening their own teeth alongside their child.
Here is what typically happens at a first orthodontic evaluation.
Walking a family through these findings tends to ease a lot of the uncertainty parents carry into that first visit, because most leave with either reassurance or a clear next step rather than a vague answer.
Cost is often the first question parents ask once treatment is actually on the table, and we try to answer it as plainly as possible. Clear aligner treatment is available for a flat cash-pay rate, a pay-in-full card or check rate, or a financing option through Cherry that spreads payments out at zero percent interest.
Cherry’s approval process works with a wider range of credit situations than many families expect, which opens the door for households who might otherwise assume financing isn’t available to them. However a family chooses to pay, the plan is structured to cover a full multi-year course of treatment, so parents aren’t left wondering whether costs will shift partway through. We walk through every option during the consultation itself, well before any commitment is made, so families can make the choice that fits their situation without pressure.
Families across Tempe choose Kids Dental Center because we treat orthodontic evaluation as part of ongoing care rather than a separate specialty visit tacked on later, and Dr. Wright personally oversees every case alongside a partnering orthodontist for real coordination between providers. We offer free consultations for clear aligner candidates, along with financing options through Cherry and flexible payment structures so cost never has to stand in the way of treatment your child needs.
If you would like your child evaluated for orthodontic concerns, please reach out through our contact form to get started.
Address: 2900 W Ray Rd Suite 2, Chandler, AZ 85224
Hours:
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Janice Kato – 10/22/2025
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