Pediatric Orthodontist in Lake Nona, FL

According to the American Association of Orthodontists, children should have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. At this point, a child has enough permanent teeth that a trained eye can spot developing concerns — even when nothing appears obviously wrong.

This type of early evaluation does not always mean early treatment. Often, the first visit simply gives us a baseline to monitor development as your child grows. But when an issue is identified early, we can act during a critical window when the jaw and facial structure are still forming. Addressing bite problems, crowding, or jaw imbalances during this phase can reduce the complexity of treatment later — and in some cases, prevent the need for more involved procedures altogether.

What We Look For During an Early Orthodontic Evaluation

At Esteem Dental, an early orthodontic evaluation for your child typically includes a visual exam of the teeth and bite, along with X-rays that allow us to assess what is happening below the surface. We check for signs of overcrowding, crossbites, overbites, underbites, spacing concerns, and jaw development patterns that may benefit from early guidance.

Parents often discover that teeth coming in crooked, difficulty biting, mouth breathing, or early or late loss of baby teeth are indicators worth evaluating. Even if none of these are present, a proactive screening gives us the information we need to guide your child’s dental development with confidence.

Once an evaluation is complete, our team will walk you through any recommended treatment in plain, easy-to-understand terms. If early treatment — sometimes called Phase 1 — is appropriate, we will explain what it involves, how long it may take, and what it is designed to accomplish before your child enters a potential Phase 2 later in their teen years.

Orthodontic treatment options for younger children may include:

• Palatal expanders: Used to widen the upper jaw, reduce crowding, and improve the relationship between the upper and lower arches
• Partial braces: Placed on select teeth to address specific alignment concerns during active growth
• Space maintainers: Hold space open for incoming permanent teeth when baby teeth are lost prematurely
• Clear aligners for kids: A discreet, removable option for children who are good candidates for aligner-based treatment

Not every child will need intervention at a young age, and our team will never recommend treatment unless it is clearly in your child’s best interest.

Comprehensive Dental Care for Every Member of Your Family

From preventive checkups to complete smile makeovers, our experienced team provides personalized care in a welcoming environment.

The Advantage of a One-Stop Family Dental Practice

One of the most meaningful benefits of choosing Esteem Dental for your child’s orthodontic care is that we are not just an orthodontic office — we are a full-service family dental practice in Lake Nona. Your child’s orthodontist is working alongside the same pediatric dentists and general dentists who monitor their oral health throughout the year.

This means communication is clearer, care is more coordinated, and parents are not juggling multiple offices, multiple records, and multiple sets of instructions. Your family stays together in one place, from routine cleanings to more complex orthodontic treatment, handled by a team that already knows your child.

We understand that children can feel nervous about dental appointments, and our office is designed with that in mind. From the moment your child walks in, we focus on creating a calm, comfortable experience that builds trust over time — because a child who feels safe in the dental chair is a child who grows up with a healthier relationship with their oral health.

Insurance and Financing for Pediatric Orthodontics

We accept most major insurance plans at Esteem Dental, including Aetna PPO, Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Cigna PPO, Delta, UnitedHealthcare PPO, and Medicare. Our team will help you understand your orthodontic benefits and what, if any, out-of-pocket costs to expect. For families who need flexible payment options, we offer financing through CareCredit and LendingClub to help make your child’s care as accessible as possible.

Schedule Your Orthodontic Consultation Today

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Lake Nona Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics