Trusted Care Across 20 Locations

Early Interceptive Orthodontics

Early Guidance for Growing Children’s Smiles — Phone Support Available 24/7

Early-interceptive orthodontics for kids (Phase 1 treatment) helps create space, guide jaw growth and support healthier alignment during childhood. Many families begin by searching for an orthodontist near me as they explore the right timing for treatment. We use gentle, child-friendly methods to guide development and build a strong foundation for your child’s future smile.

First evaluation – The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age seven.
Purpose – Early treatment can widen the jaw, correct crossbites and reduce the need for surgical procedures or extractions later.
Treatment types – Palatal expanders, space maintainers, habit‑breaking appliances and limited braces are common interceptive tools.
Benefits – Guiding growth early can shorten future orthodontic treatment time and improve facial balance.

Early Orthodontic Care for Children

What Is Early Interceptive Orthodontics?

Early interceptive orthodontics (called Phase 1) addresses bite and jaw issues while your child is still growing. Around age seven, we evaluate the relationship between the jaws, check for crowding, crossbite or protruding teeth and assess habits like thumb‑sucking. If needed, we may use palatal expanders, space maintainers or limited braces to create room for incoming teeth and guide the jaws into proper alignment. These gentle interventions can prevent more severe problems later on.

Growth-Phase Treatment Timed Precisely

Why Early Orthodontic Care at Gold Coast Dental

We offer after-school times, quick check-ins, and ongoing support to help busy families manage orthodontic care smoothly.

Child‑Friendly Atmosphere

Our offices are designed for kids. Friendly staff, entertainment options and a gentle approach help your child feel relaxed and confident.

Skilled Specialists

Our orthodontists have years of experience guiding jaw growth and correcting early bite issues. They know when to intervene and when to wait.

Modern Technology

Digital X‑rays and 3D scans allow us to diagnose precisely and plan interceptive treatment with minimal radiation.

Focus on Prevention

We emphasise guidance and education to prevent problems, not just treat them. Early care means fewer issues down the road.

Testimonials

What Our Clients Say

4.9 / 5

+500 reviews

Our patients are at the heart of everything we do. Read their stories and discover how compassionate care and trusted dentistry have made a difference in their smiles.

My child’s early treatment opened space quickly and made brushing easier. The visits were calm, and the changes showed faster than we expected.

Ava’s mom, Yorba Linda

The ortho plan helped guide jaw growth before it caused bigger issues later. They kept the steps simple, and follow-up appts were easy.

Brian’s dad, Moreno Valley

The early fix for my son’s bite was super helpful and kept things from getting worse. He got used to the expander way faster than we thought.

Sven L., San Gabriel

Early spacing work kept teeth from crowding, and chewing became smoother for my daughter. The progress felt steady at each visit.

Henry P., Buena Park

Early Orthodontic Choices for Children

Early Treatment vs. Waiting

Topic	Early Treatment (Phase 1)	Waiting Until All Adult Teeth Arrive
Jaw Growth Guidance	Helps direct jaw development and improves facial balance while bones are still adaptable.	Missed window for growth guidance; may lead to jaw mismatch or need for surgical correction later.
Tooth Crowding	Creates space early and reduces the chance of future extractions.	Higher risk of severe crowding; extraction becomes more likely in teenage years.
Protruding / Crossbite / Underbite Issues	Corrects bite patterns before they cause uneven wear or trauma.	Bite issues may worsen and require longer Phase 2 treatment or corrective jaw procedures.
Treatment Length	Often short (6–12 months) and may shorten full orthodontic treatment later.	Longer, more involved treatment during adolescence.
Speech & Chewing	Improves oral function during important developmental stages.	Speech issues and chewing strain may persist or worsen.
Confidence & Social Comfort	Early improvement boosts self-esteem during childhood.	Appearance concerns may linger and affect social comfort.
Overall Outlook	Preventive, gentle and proactive. Helps reduce complexity in Phase 2 orthodontics.	Reactive. Problems often become harder and costlier to treat.

How Treatment Works

Your Path to Early Interceptive Orthodontics: Timeline & Process

Consultation & records

We meet your child, take photos and X‑rays and evaluate jaw growth and tooth eruption.

Consultation & records

We meet your child, take photos and X‑rays and evaluate jaw growth and tooth eruption.

Appliance placement

If needed, we fit an expander, space maintainer or partial braces to guide development.

Appliance placement

If needed, we fit an expander, space maintainer or partial braces to guide development.

Active treatment

Your child wears the appliance and visits us regularly for adjustments and monitoring.

Active treatment

Your child wears the appliance and visits us regularly for adjustments and monitoring.

Monitoring phase

Once goals are achieved, we remove the appliance and observe growth until all permanent teeth arrive.

Monitoring phase

Once goals are achieved, we remove the appliance and observe growth until all permanent teeth arrive.

Transition to Phase II

When the time is right, we plan comprehensive braces or aligner therapy to perfect the bite.

Transition to Phase II

When the time is right, we plan comprehensive braces or aligner therapy to perfect the bite.

Your First Visit, Made Simple

What to Expect at Your First Visit

Your first visit at Gold Coast Dental focuses on comfort, clarity, and understanding your oral health. Here’s what typically happens during your 30–60-minute visit:

Growth & Bite Evaluation

We check jaw growth, tooth spacing, and bite patterns to spot early concerns and decide whether Phase 1 care is helpful.

Photos, Scans & X-Rays

Digital imaging shows tooth position and developing jaws, helping us plan treatment before problems become harder to correct.

Clear Discussion of Options

We explain early treatment choices, how they work, expected timelines, and when it’s best to monitor instead of treat.

Personalized Plan & Next Steps

You receive a tailored Phase 1 plan, follow-up schedule, and guidance on what to expect as your child’s smile develops.

Caring for Your Early Interceptive Orthodontics

Help your child brush carefully around expanders or partial braces and use a fluoride rinse to strengthen enamel. Avoid hard, sticky or chewy foods that loosen wires or bands. If an appliance feels loose or causes discomfort, please call us so we can adjust it quickly and keep treatment on track.

How We Decide Whether Early Treatment Is Needed

Each child’s growth pattern and tooth development is unique. We assess jaw alignment, spacing, bite function and oral habits to decide whether early treatment is recommended or if monitoring is the better choice. Some children benefit from expanders or short-term braces, while teens may do better with Invisalign® or full braces. We guide you through all options so you can make a confident decision.

Smart Guidance for Growing Smiles

Before & After Gallery

See how early orthodontic guidance supports healthy jaw development.

Before

After

Expansion phase: improved arch space.

Before

After

Early alignment: guided eruption for better placement.

Notice: We examine growth patterns and jaw development gently. If early guidance is needed, planning begins right away with simple next steps.

Have questions about your treatment? We’ll guide you every step of the way.

Book Your Consultation Today

We’ll monitor jaw growth and tooth development to plan early interceptive orthodontic care for children in California and Texas.

FAQ

Have Questions? We’ve Got Answers

Find quick answers to the most common questions our patients ask.

Professional organisations recommend a first orthodontic check‑up by age seven. At this age, we can identify developing problems and determine whether your child would benefit from early treatment or if monitoring is more appropriate.

Explore More Dental Services

Orthodontic Retainers

Maintain tooth alignment after orthodontic treatment and prevent shifting.

Invisalign Aligners

Clear, removable aligners that straighten teeth with minimal impact on daily life.

Braces & Clear Aligners

Guide teeth into healthier positions using fixed braces or removable clear aligners.

Pediatric Dentistry

Dental care focused on creating a positive and reassuring experience for children’s growth and long-term health.

New Patient Offer

Claim your FREE new patient exam, X‑rays & consultation. No catch! Our dentists provide comprehensive general, preventive, cosmetic and restorative care with gentle hands and state‑of‑the‑art technology.

Meet

Our Doctors

Our orthodontic team monitors growth to guide developing bites at the right time.

Dr. Ali Jasim

General & Cosmetic Dentist

DDS

Dr. Bryant Nguyen

Orthodontist

DDS

Dr. Adrian Acosta

General Dentist

DDS

Dr. Simon Cheong

Oral Surgeon

DDS

Care

A Better Dental Visit Awaits

We know a great dental experience goes beyond clinical care. Here’s how we make your visits comfortable and stress‑free.

Convenient Scheduling

We’re open seven days a week with evening and weekend appointments at multiple locations. Same‑day visits are available so you never have to wait for relief.

Affordable Excellence

High‑quality dental care should be within reach. We accept most PPO and many HMO plans, offer interest‑free payment plans and have in‑house specials for new patients.

Relaxing Visits

Our modern offices feature state‑of‑the‑art technology, comfortable treatment rooms and entertainment options to help you feel at ease throughout your visit.

New Patient Specials

Book now and save with our limited‑time offers:

$49

New Patient Cleaning & Exam

Free X‑rays, exam and consultation. New patients only.

Coverage Checked Before You Commit

Insurance Verification

PPO, HMO, or no insurance? We help you understand your available options before treatment begins. We work with most major PPO and HMO plans. If you don’t have insurance, we explain in-house financing and current new-patient offers, including our $49 new patient special.

Covered by Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, Aetna and more
Flexible payment options
Instant insurance verification available

How the Verification Process Works

You share your insurer and basic details.
Our insurance team verifies benefits and limitations.
We explain estimated out-of-pocket costs before treatment.
You decide how to proceed—insurance, financing, or self-pay.

Find a Gold Coast Dentist Near You

20 Locations in California & Texas

Many offices are open 7 AM–7 PM, including weekends, for your convenience.
Hours may vary by location. Please call the office to confirm availability.

References

Luzzi, L., Amarasena, N., Brennan, D., et al. (2023). Effect of different frequencies of dental visits on dental caries and periodontal disease: A scoping review. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cdoe.12837

Dinu, S., Igna, A., Petrescu, E. L., Braila, E. B., Dinu, D. C., Horhat, R. M., Mihai, C., Traila, I.-A., Nica, D. F., & Popa, M. (2025). Timing of orthodontic intervention for pediatric Class II malocclusion: A systematic review on early vs. late treatment outcomes. Children, 12(11), 1533. https://doi.org/10.3390/children12111533

Gülfem Göven & Burçak Kaya. (2025). Contemporary approaches to orthodontic retention and stability: A review. Saudi Journal of Oral and Dental Research, 10(10), 388–395. https://doi.org/10.36348/sjodr.2025.v10i10.004

Role of retention in orthodontics: A narrative review. (2025). World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2025.28.2.3896

Language

اگر شما به زبان فارسی صحبت می‌کنید و به دنبال دندانپزشک فارسی زبان هستید، کلینیک دندانپزشکی Gold Coast Dental آماده ارائه خدماتی مانند دندانپزشک اورژانس، ایمپلنت، ارتودنسی و زیبایی دندان با انواع بیمه به شماست.

Si usted habla español y está buscando un dentista que hable su idioma, la clínica dental Gold Coast Dental ofrece servicios como emergencias dentales, implantes, ortodoncia y estética dental con diferentes seguros.

한국어를 사용하시고 한국어 가능한 치과를 찾고 계시다면, 골드코스트 덴탈 치과 클리닉은 응급치료, 임플란트, 교정 및 미용 치과 서비스를 다양한 보험과 함께 제공합니다.

如果您说中文并正在寻找讲中文的牙医，Gold Coast Dental 牙科诊所提供紧急牙科、种植牙、牙齿矫正和美容牙科服务，并接受各种保险。

日本語を話される方で日本語対応の歯科医をお探しであれば、Gold Coast Dental 歯科クリニックでは救急歯科、インプラント、矯正歯科、美容歯科など、各種保険対応のサービスを提供しています。

Please call (562) 242‑1411 or find your nearest dentist here.