Watching your child’s smile develop is one of parenting’s great joys—but when teeth come in crooked or crowded, many parents wonder if braces for kids are necessary. The good news is that modern orthodontic treatment for children is more comfortable, effective, and accessible than ever before. At Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in Helena, MT, our specialized team helps families navigate the journey of children’s orthodontics, ensuring every child achieves a healthy, beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime.
When Should Kids Get Braces?
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that every child receive their first orthodontic evaluation by age seven. This doesn’t mean your child will need braces immediately—rather, it establishes a baseline for monitoring dental development and identifying potential issues early.
Most children begin comprehensive orthodontic treatment for children between ages 10 and 14, when most permanent teeth have erupted but jawbones remain responsive to repositioning. This pre-adolescent window offers several advantages: bones are still growing and more malleable, making teeth alignment for kids more predictable and often faster than treatment started in adulthood.
However, some children benefit from early intervention as young as 6-8 years old through Phase 1 treatment, which addresses severe crowding, crossbites, or jaw growth problems before they worsen. Our dual-specialist, Dr. Brad Dawson, brings unique expertise in both pediatric dentistry and orthodontics, ensuring comprehensive care tailored to your child’s developmental stage.
Signs Your Child Might Need Braces
Several indicators suggest your child could benefit from pediatric braces options:
Crowding or spacing issues: Teeth that overlap significantly, twist, or have large gaps may need orthodontic intervention to prevent future problems.
Bite problems: Overbites (upper teeth extending too far forward), underbites (lower teeth extending beyond upper teeth), or crossbites (upper teeth biting inside lower teeth) can affect chewing, speech, and jaw development.
Difficulty chewing or biting: Struggling to bite through foods or chewing discomfort may indicate misalignment requiring correction.
Mouth breathing or snoring: These symptoms sometimes relate to narrow jaws or airway restrictions that orthodontics can address.
Early or late tooth loss: Significant deviations from typical tooth eruption patterns may affect how permanent teeth come in.
Jaw pain or clicking: Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discomfort in children sometimes stems from bite misalignment.
If you notice any of these signs, schedule a complimentary orthodontic evaluation at our Helena practice to determine whether your child needs treatment and the optimal timing.
Types of Braces for Kids
Modern youth orthodontic care offers several treatment options, each with distinct advantages:
Traditional Metal Braces
Metal braces for kids remain the most popular choice for good reasons. Constructed from high-grade stainless steel, traditional braces use brackets bonded to teeth and connected by archwires that gradually shift teeth into proper position. Today’s metal braces are smaller, more comfortable, and more efficient than previous generations.
Our practice offers the advanced Damon System, a self-ligating technology that uses specialized clips instead of elastic ties. This system reduces friction, often resulting in faster treatment with fewer adjustment appointments—and less discomfort for your child.
Cost: $3,000-$7,000 depending on treatment complexity Treatment time: Typically 18-24 months Best for: Most orthodontic cases, especially complex corrections
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic or clear braces function identically to metal braces but use tooth-colored or clear brackets that blend with natural tooth enamel. This aesthetic option appeals to image-conscious tweens and teens who want less noticeable treatment.
While more discreet than metal, ceramic brackets are slightly larger and can stain if oral hygiene isn’t meticulous. They’re also somewhat more fragile, requiring careful eating habits to avoid breakage.
Cost: $4,000-$8,000 Treatment time: Similar to metal braces Best for: Motivated children concerned about appearance
Clear Aligners
Invisalign and similar clear aligner systems use custom-made, removable plastic trays to gradually shift teeth. These virtually invisible aligners can be removed for eating, brushing, and special occasions—offering flexibility traditional braces can’t match.
However, clear aligners require significant compliance. Children must wear aligners 20-22 hours daily and resist the temptation to leave them out, making this option best suited for responsible older children and teens with mild to moderate alignment issues.
Cost: $4,000-$8,000 Treatment time: 12-18 months for appropriate cases Best for: Disciplined children with mild to moderate crowding or spacing
Self-Ligating Braces
Self-ligating braces eliminate elastic ties, using specialized clips that hold the archwire in place. This reduces friction and often means fewer adjustment appointments, faster treatment, and easier cleaning compared to traditional braces with rubber bands.
Cost: Similar to traditional metal braces Treatment time: Often 3-6 months shorter than conventional braces Best for: Families seeking efficiency and convenience
How Long Do Kids Wear Braces?
The duration of orthodontic treatment for children varies based on several factors:
Complexity of the case: Minor spacing or crowding may resolve in 12-18 months, while severe rotations, bite corrections, or jaw discrepancies often require 24-36 months.
Age and growth: Younger children whose jaws are still growing may experience faster results for certain corrections.
Compliance: Following orthodontist instructions—wearing rubber bands as directed, maintaining excellent oral hygiene, avoiding prohibited foods—significantly impacts treatment timeline.
Treatment type: Clear aligners sometimes work faster for simple cases, while traditional braces may be more efficient for complex corrections.
On average, most children wear braces for 18-24 months. During this time, regular adjustment appointments every 4-8 weeks ensure treatment progresses as planned. After braces are removed, your child will wear a retainer to maintain results—typically full-time for several months, then nightly indefinitely.
The Cost of Braces for Kids
Understanding the financial investment in children’s orthodontics helps families plan appropriately. In 2025, families can expect to pay $3,000-$7,000 for traditional metal braces for kids, with clear aligners and aesthetic options ranging from $4,000-$8,000.
Many factors influence final cost:
- Type of braces chosen
- Treatment complexity and duration
- Geographic location
- Orthodontist’s experience and specialization
Insurance coverage: Many dental insurance plans include orthodontic benefits for children under 18, typically covering 50% of treatment costs up to a lifetime maximum of $1,500-$3,000. Review your specific plan to understand your benefits.
At Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we offer flexible payment plans that make youth orthodontic care accessible to families throughout Helena and beyond. We’ll work with your insurance provider to maximize benefits and create a payment schedule that fits your budget.
What to Expect During Treatment
Beginning braces for kids treatment involves several steps:
Initial consultation: Comprehensive examination including digital X-rays, photographs, and possibly impressions or digital scans.
Treatment planning: Our orthodontist will explain findings, recommend treatment options, discuss timeline and costs, and answer all your questions.
Placement appointment: Installing braces takes 1-2 hours. The process is painless, though your child may experience mild soreness for a few days as teeth begin moving.
Adjustment appointments: Regular visits every 4-8 weeks to tighten wires and monitor progress. These brief appointments are essential for keeping treatment on track.
Removal and retention: When treatment is complete, braces are removed and your child receives retainers to maintain their beautiful new smile.
Throughout treatment, excellent oral hygiene becomes more important than ever. Our team provides thorough instruction on brushing and flossing with braces, and we monitor dental health at every appointment.
Why Choose Specialized Pediatric Orthodontic Care
Children’s orthodontics requires specialized knowledge beyond general orthodontics. Our practice focuses exclusively on children, providing:
- Child-friendly environment designed to reduce anxiety
- Team trained in pediatric behavior guidance
- Age-appropriate communication that helps children understand and cooperate with treatment
- Flexible scheduling that accommodates school and family activities
- Comprehensive care under one roof, from preventive dentistry to orthodontics
Dr. Brad Dawson’s dual specialty in both pediatric dentistry and orthodontics offers unique advantages—he understands not just how to move teeth, but how developing jaws, erupting teeth, and growing facial structures interact throughout childhood.
Schedule Your Child’s Orthodontic Evaluation
If you’re considering braces for kids or wondering whether your child needs orthodontic treatment for children, we invite you to schedule a complimentary consultation at Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics. Contact our Helena office at (406) 449-0189 or visit us at 3116 Saddle Drive, Suite 1, Helena, MT 59601.
Our experienced team—including Dr. Kevin Rencher, Dr. Tedi, Dr. Duffy, and Dr. Brad Dawson—is committed to providing exceptional pediatric braces options that give your child a healthy, confident smile for life. Don’t wait to address orthodontic concerns—early evaluation ensures your child receives the right treatment at the right time.