Pediatric Service

Orthodontics in Oakland, CA

From an early bite evaluation to a finished smile, our Oakland orthodontists guide your child through every stage of treatment. Request a complimentary consultation today.Book your child's complimentary orthodontic consultation and find out whether early treatment is recommended.

Current Special

Orthodontic Consult

Complimentary

Free consult to evaluate a child's orthodontic needs and determine if early treatment is recommended.

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Why Orthodontics Matters

A Confident Smile Starts With the Right Plan

Orthodontic treatment used to be something families thought about in the teenage years. Today, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first evaluation by age 7. The earlier we understand how your child's mouth is growing, the more options we have to guide it toward a healthy, confident smile, often with simpler treatment than waiting would require.

Start With a Complimentary Consultation

There's no cost and no pressure to find out where your child stands. We'll evaluate their bite and jaw growth, answer your questions, and let you know if now is the right time to start treatment or simply the right time to keep watching.

One Team, from Diagnosis to Retainer

Your child's orthodontist and pediatric dentist work from the same chart, in the same office. We can coordinate cleanings, X-rays, and orthodontic adjustments into the same visit, so treatment fits into your family's life instead of taking it over.

Specialists Who Know Kids and Teens

Our orthodontists have advanced training specific to children's growth and development, supported by digital scanners and 3D imaging that let us plan treatment with precision from the very first visit.

Why Age 7 Is the Right Time to Check

At age 7, your child still has a mix of baby and adult teeth, which gives us a clear view of how their jaw is growing and whether their adult teeth have room to come in well. Catching a narrow palate, a crossbite, or a crowding pattern this early often means guiding it gently now instead of correcting it more extensively later.

How Orthodontics Fits Into SmilePath™

Bite alignment and jaw growth are part of what we track from your child's very first SmilePath™ visit. When orthodontic treatment makes sense, it's never a decision made in isolation. It builds on everything we already know about your child's smile.

Financial Information

Let's Talk About the Financial Side

We'll help you make sense of your insurance benefits so there are no surprises. Because every plan is different, we encourage families to check with their provider ahead of time. Your estimated patient portion is due at the time of service.

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Your Child’s Treatment Options, Explained

Metal Braces

Offer precise control over tooth movement and hold up well through years of treatment.

Clear Ceramic Braces

Work the same way as metal braces, with a more discreet appearance.

Coordinated Care

Both brace options are fitted and adjusted by our team, with visits coordinated alongside your child's regular dental care.

3D Imaging

We use 3D imaging to design your child's specific Invisalign aligner series from the start.

Two-Week Aligners

Each aligner is worn for about two weeks before moving to the next in the series.

Removable & Easy

Aligners are removable, so brushing, flossing, and eating stay simple.

Nearly Invisible

Many teenagers prefer them for day-to-day comfort and confidence.

Palatal Expanders

Gently widen a narrow upper jaw to create room for adult teeth.

Retainers

Hold teeth in place after active treatment is complete.

Habit-Breaking Appliances

Address habits like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting that can affect how teeth come in.

Nightguards

Protect teeth from grinding or clenching during sleep.

Sports Mouthguards

Protect your child's teeth and braces during athletics.

Guides Jaw Growth

Addresses jaw growth, crossbites, and crowding patterns while they're still developing.

Less Crowding Later

Can make room for adult teeth to come in with less crowding later.

Smoother Phase Two

Often leads to a smoother, and sometimes shorter, second phase of treatment when the timing is right.

No Immediate Braces Needed

Doesn't necessarily mean your child needs braces right away, it simply guides growth in the meantime.

A teenage patient smiling during a visit

Signs Worth Bringing to an Evaluation

Most families first come in simply because it's time for that age 7 checkup, not because something seems wrong. A few things are also worth mentioning sooner if you notice them. None of these automatically mean treatment is needed. They're simply worth a conversation, and we'll always give you a clear answer about whether now is the time to act or the time to keep watching.

Baby teeth lost very early or much later than expected
Difficulty chewing or biting comfortably
Mouth breathing or snoring
Thumb or finger sucking that continues past age 3 or 4
Teeth that look crowded, misplaced, or don't have room to come in
Jaws that shift, click, or make sounds when opening and closing
Teeth that don't meet properly, or a jaw that looks out of proportion with the rest of the face
Grinding or clenching

What to Expect During Orthodontic Treatment

The Complimentary Consultation

We evaluate your child's bite, jaw growth, and any concerns you're bringing with you, and let you know exactly what we recommend and why.

Your Custom Treatment Plan

If treatment makes sense now, we'll walk you through the right option for your child, whether that's an oral appliance, braces, or Invisalign, along with an estimated timeline.

Starting Treatment

We place your child's braces or fit their first set of aligners, and show both of you exactly how to care for them at home.

Regular Adjustment Visits

Your child returns periodically so we can adjust braces or check aligner progress, tracking their smile every step of the way.

Retention

Once active treatment is complete, we provide a retainer to protect your child's new smile and keep everything exactly where it should be.

Why Alameda Pediatric Dentistry

A Few Things We Think You Should Know

Here Since 1971

One of the Bay Area's longest-serving pediatric dental practices, with families now bringing in their own kids.

The Only Practice of Our Kind

The Bay Area's only office pairing on-site wisdom teeth extractions with orthodontics and a fully equipped sedation center, all under one roof.

Hospital Privileges

Credentialed at UCSF Benioff and Kaiser Oakland. When your child needs hospital-based care, you won't be handed off to someone new.

The APD Membership Plan

No insurance? Our plan covers cleanings, exams, and routine X-rays, plus 20% off other procedures. No deductibles or waiting periods.

Plans start at $30/month

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the American Association of Orthodontists recommend an evaluation by age 7?

At that age, your child has a mix of baby and adult teeth, giving us a clear view of jaw growth and bite development. It's the best window to catch something worth guiding early, without necessarily starting treatment right away.

What's the difference between Phase I and traditional orthodontics?

Phase I orthodontics happens while your child still has baby teeth and focuses on jaw growth and bite issues. Traditional orthodontics, like braces or Invisalign, typically happens once more adult teeth have come in, often going more smoothly when Phase I treatment came first.

Does my child need braces if they had Phase I treatment?

Sometimes. Phase I treatment can reduce the extent of a second phase, and in some cases eliminate the need for one, but every child's growth is different. We'll let you know what to expect at each visit.

How long does orthodontic treatment typically take?

It depends on your child's specific needs, but traditional treatment with braces or Invisalign often runs between one and two years. We'll give you a personalized estimate as part of your treatment plan.

Will my child still need regular dental checkups during orthodontic treatment?

Yes, and we make it easy. Because our orthodontists and pediatric dentists work together, we can often coordinate cleanings, X-rays, and orthodontic adjustments into the same visit.

Does insurance cover orthodontic treatment?

Many plans offer some orthodontic coverage, though benefits vary widely. We're glad to help you understand your specific coverage before treatment begins.

Does Invisalign actually work for kids and teens?

Yes. We use 3D imaging to design a treatment plan specific to your child's teeth, and Invisalign can address many of the same issues as traditional braces when your child is consistent about wearing their aligners.

What are oral appliances, and does my child need one?

Oral appliances, like palatal expanders or habit-breaking appliances, guide jaw growth or address specific habits before braces are needed. We'll recommend one only if your child's evaluation shows it would help.

How do we take care of braces or aligners at home?

We'll walk you and your child through brushing, flossing, and any specific care instructions at the visit where treatment begins, and we're always here if questions come up along the way.

What happens after my child's braces come off?

We provide a retainer to protect your child's new smile. Wearing it as recommended is what keeps their teeth exactly where we worked together to move them.

Connect With Us

We'd Love to Meet Your Family

First visit for your baby or orthodontics for your teenager, we're ready. Request an appointment at any of our four Bay Area locations.

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