Children’s Orthodontics in San Antonio, TX
Your child’s smile is one of their most important assets, and the foundation for a lifetime of healthy teeth starts earlier than most parents realize. At Lucent Orthodontics and Dental Specialists in San Antonio, we specialize in providing gentle, expert orthodontic care for children — starting with that very first evaluation and continuing through every stage of their dental development.
Dr. Shakourian has extensive experience working with young patients, and she understands that treating children requires a special combination of clinical expertise, patience, and warmth. Our entire team is dedicated to making every child who visits our office feel safe, comfortable, and even excited about their smile journey.
Give Your Child the Best Start to a Lifetime of Healthy Smiles
152 Fairmont Parkway, Pasadena, TX, 775041
☎ Call 210-361-2000
✉ lucent@satxdentalgroup.com
Why Your Child Should See an Orthodontist by Age 7
Most parents assume that orthodontic treatment is something that happens during the teenage years, and in many cases, that is true. However, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. This early visit is not about putting braces on a 7-year-old — it is about giving Dr. Shakourian the opportunity to assess how your child’s teeth, jaws, and bite are developing at a critical stage of growth.
At age 7, most children have a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth. This is the ideal time for an orthodontist to spot developing problems that may not be visible to a general dentist or to a parent looking at their child’s smile at home. Issues like narrow jaws, crossbites, crowding, protruding front teeth, and abnormal jaw growth patterns are often much easier to address when caught early.
An early evaluation does not always mean early treatment. In fact, most children who come in for an age-7 evaluation do not need immediate intervention. In many cases, Dr. Shakourian will simply take note of your child’s development and recommend periodic monitoring visits — at no additional charge — so she can track growth over time and identify the ideal window for treatment if and when it becomes necessary.
Signs Your Child May Need an Orthodontic Evaluation
While every child should be evaluated by age 7 regardless of whether problems are apparent, there are several signs that may indicate your child could benefit from an earlier visit or from early intervention:
Early, late, or irregular loss of baby teeth — Baby teeth typically fall out in a predictable sequence between ages 6 and 12. If your child is losing teeth significantly earlier or later than expected, or in an unusual pattern, it could affect how permanent teeth come in.
Difficulty chewing or biting — If your child avoids certain foods, struggles to bite into things, or chews awkwardly, it may be a sign of a developing bite problem.
Mouth breathing or chronic open-mouth posture — Persistent mouth breathing can be associated with narrow palates and developing bite issues, and it may indicate that an orthodontic evaluation is warranted.
Thumb-sucking or finger habits past age 5 — Prolonged thumb-sucking or finger habits can affect the shape of the palate and the alignment of the front teeth. If the habit persists beyond age 5, an evaluation can help determine whether intervention is needed.
Crowded, misplaced, or blocked-out teeth — If permanent teeth are coming in crooked, overlapping, or if there seems to be too little room for them to come in at all, these are classic signs that early orthodontic guidance could help.
Protruding front teeth — Upper front teeth that stick out significantly beyond the lower teeth are more vulnerable to injury from falls or impacts. Early treatment can bring them back into a safer position.
Jaw shifting or clicking — If your child’s jaw shifts to one side when they open or close their mouth, or if you hear clicking or popping, it could indicate a developing jaw alignment problem.
Speech difficulties — Certain speech issues, such as lisping or difficulty pronouncing specific sounds, can sometimes be related to the positioning of the teeth or the structure of the jaw.
Teeth that do not meet properly — If your child’s top and bottom teeth do not come together evenly, or if one side of the bite looks different from the other, a bite evaluation is a good idea.
If you notice any of these signs, scheduling an evaluation sooner rather than later allows Dr. Shakourian to determine whether early intervention would be beneficial or whether monitoring is the appropriate next step.
Give Your Child the Best Start to a Lifetime of Healthy Smiles
152 Fairmont Parkway, Pasadena, TX, 775041
☎ Call 210-361-2000
✉ lucent@satxdentalgroup.com
What Is Early Orthodontic Treatment for Children?
Early orthodontic treatment, also known as Phase 1 treatment or interceptive orthodontics, is a focused period of care that addresses specific developmental problems while your child is still growing. It typically takes place between the ages of 6 and 10, while your child still has a mix of baby and permanent teeth.
The goal of Phase 1 is not to achieve a final, perfect alignment of every tooth. Instead, it targets the most pressing issues — such as correcting crossbites, creating space for crowded teeth, guiding jaw growth, or reducing the risk of trauma from protruding teeth — to create a healthier foundation for the remaining permanent teeth to come in properly.
Common Phase 1 Treatments
Palatal expanders — These devices gently widen the upper jaw to correct crossbites and create additional space for permanent teeth. Palatal expansion is most effective during childhood while the bones are still growing and flexible.
Partial braces — In some cases, braces may be placed on select permanent teeth to guide them into better positions, correct alignment, or close specific gaps. Not every tooth needs a bracket during Phase 1.
Space maintainers — If a baby tooth is lost prematurely, a space maintainer holds the gap open so the permanent tooth has room to erupt properly. Without a maintainer, neighboring teeth can drift into the space and block the permanent tooth.
Habit-breaking appliances — For children with persistent thumb-sucking or tongue-thrusting habits, specialized appliances can help break the habit and allow the teeth and palate to develop normally.
Phase 1 treatment typically lasts 6 to 12 months, followed by a monitoring phase during which Dr. Shakourian tracks your child’s development as the remaining permanent teeth erupt. Once all or most permanent teeth are in place — usually around ages 11 to 13 — Dr. Shakourian will determine whether Phase 2 comprehensive treatment (full braces or clear aligners) is needed.
Give Your Child the Best Start to a Lifetime of Healthy Smiles
152 Fairmont Parkway, Pasadena, TX, 775041
☎ Call 210-361-2000
✉ lucent@satxdentalgroup.com
The Benefits of Starting Early
Guides healthy jaw growth — Early treatment can influence the growth of the upper and lower jaws while the bones are still developing, achieving corrections that are far more difficult or even impossible to accomplish in older patients.
Creates room for permanent teeth — By addressing crowding and guiding tooth eruption, Phase 1 treatment can prevent teeth from becoming impacted or severely misaligned.
Reduces the risk of dental trauma — Children with protruding front teeth are at significantly higher risk of injury from falls, sports, and everyday accidents. Reducing the protrusion early protects your child’s teeth.
Can shorten or simplify future treatment — Children who receive Phase 1 treatment often need shorter, less complex Phase 2 treatment as teenagers because the most significant problems have already been addressed.
May reduce the need for tooth extractions — Creating adequate space early may eliminate the need to remove permanent teeth later to make room for alignment.
Supports healthy habits — Properly aligned teeth are easier for children to brush and floss effectively, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease during childhood.
Builds confidence during formative years — A child who feels good about their smile is more likely to smile openly, interact confidently with peers, and develop healthy self-esteem during critical developmental years.
What Happens If My Child Does Not Need Early Treatment?
If Dr. Shakourian evaluates your child and determines that early treatment is not necessary, that is great news. It means your child’s dental development is on track, and no intervention is needed at this time.
In these cases, Dr. Shakourian will place your child on a complimentary growth observation program. This means she will see your child periodically — typically every 6 to 12 months — to monitor the eruption of permanent teeth, track jaw growth, and watch for any changes that might indicate the right time to begin treatment. These monitoring visits are provided at no charge, giving you peace of mind that your child’s development is being watched by an expert.
When the time is right for comprehensive treatment, usually during the early teen years, Dr. Shakourian will let you know and discuss the best treatment options for your child.
Our Approach to Caring for Young Patients
We understand that a child’s experience at the orthodontist shapes how they feel about dental care for the rest of their life. That is why our entire team goes above and beyond to make sure every child who visits Lucent Orthodontics has a positive, comfortable, and even fun experience.
Dr. Shakourian has a natural warmth and gentleness with young patients. She explains procedures in age-appropriate language, moves at the child’s pace, and always makes sure your child feels safe and in control. Our team members are equally dedicated to creating a welcoming atmosphere where kids feel excited rather than anxious about their visits.
We also believe in partnering with parents. We keep you fully informed at every step, explain all findings and recommendations in detail, and encourage you to ask as many questions as you need. You are an essential part of your child’s treatment team, and we want you to feel just as confident and comfortable as your child does.
Affordable Children’s Orthodontics in San Antonio
We never want cost to stand in the way of your child’s dental health. Lucent Orthodontics offers:
✓ Free initial orthodontic evaluations for children
✓ Complimentary growth monitoring visits for children not yet ready for treatment
✓ Acceptance of most major insurance plans, including Medicaid
✓ Flexible, affordable payment plans for families who need them
✓ Same-day starts for qualifying patients who are ready to begin
✓ Transparent pricing with no hidden fees or surprise charges
Frequently Asked Questions — Children’s Orthodontics
What age should my child first see an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an initial evaluation by age 7. At this age, Dr. Shakourian can assess how your child’s teeth and jaws are developing and determine whether early intervention would be beneficial or if monitoring is the better approach.
My child’s teeth look fine. Do they still need an evaluation?
Yes. Many orthodontic issues, such as developing bite problems, narrow jaws, or crowding that has not yet become visible, can only be detected by a trained orthodontist through a clinical examination and imaging. An early evaluation is about looking beneath the surface, not just at what is visible.
Will my child need braces right away at age 7?
In most cases, no. The majority of children who come in for an age-7 evaluation do not need immediate treatment. Dr. Shakourian will either recommend Phase 1 treatment if a specific issue would benefit from early intervention, or she will place your child on a complimentary monitoring program to track their development over time.
What is the difference between Phase 1 and Phase 2 treatment?
Phase 1 is a focused period of early treatment, typically between ages 6 and 10, that addresses specific developmental concerns like crossbites, crowding, or jaw growth problems. Phase 2 is comprehensive treatment, usually during the teen years, that aligns all of the permanent teeth and finalizes the bite. Not every child needs both phases
How long does Phase 1 treatment last?
Phase 1 treatment typically takes 6 to 12 months, depending on the issues being addressed. After Phase 1, your child enters a monitoring period until they are ready for Phase 2 if needed.
Does Medicaid cover children’s orthodontic treatment in Texas?
Medicaid may cover orthodontic treatment for children when the case meets specific medical necessity criteria. Our team will evaluate your child, determine whether their case qualifies, and manage the entire prior authorization process on your behalf.
Is the evaluation really free?
Yes. Your child’s first orthodontic evaluation at Lucent Orthodontics is completely free, with no cost and no obligation. We also offer complimentary monitoring visits for children who do not yet need treatment.
How do I prepare my child for their first orthodontic visit?
Keep it positive and simple. Let your child know that the orthodontist is a smile doctor who is going to take a look at their teeth and make sure everything is growing well. There are no shots, no drills, and nothing to be afraid of. Our team is experienced at putting children at ease and making the visit a fun experience.
