Orthodontic Evaluations
Healthy Growth
Supporting Healthy Growth, Alignment & Smiles
Orthodontic care is about more than straight teeth — it’s about guiding healthy growth and development. At Big Sky Pediatric Dentistry, we provide early orthodontic evaluations and ongoing monitoring to help identify concerns at the right time and ensure your child’s smile develops properly.
Our approach is thoughtful and conservative, focused on education, timing, and long-term oral health — never rushing treatment before it’s truly needed.
First Visit
Orthodontic Evaluation
When Should My Child Have an Orthodontic Evaluation?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children receive an orthodontic screening by age 7.
An early evaluation does not mean your child will need braces right away — it simply allows us to plan ahead and guide development appropriately.
At this age, enough permanent teeth have erupted to allow us to:
- Evaluate jaw growth and alignment
- Identify crowding or spacing concerns
- Detect bite issues (overbite, underbite, crossbite)
- Monitor how baby teeth and adult teeth are interacting
Evaluations
What We Look For During an Evaluation
During an orthodontic evaluation, we assess:
- Tooth alignment and spacing
- Bite function and chewing patterns
- Jaw growth and symmetry
- Eruption timing of permanent teeth
- Oral habits that may affect alignment
We also review digital X-rays when appropriate to better understand growth patterns and tooth development.
Benefits
Benefits of Early Orthodontic Approach
Early orthodontic monitoring can:
- Reduce the complexity of future treatment
- Improve jaw growth and facial balance
- Lower the risk of impacted teeth
- Help guide proper eruption of adult teeth
- Identify issues before they become more serious
In some cases, early intervention can shorten or simplify orthodontic treatment later in adolescence.
Crowns
Orthodontic Care
Orthodontic Care for Older Children & Teens
As children grow into their teen years, orthodontic needs often become clearer. We continue to monitor alignment and bite development and help families understand when it may be time to begin orthodontic treatment.
For teens, we:
- Track wisdom tooth development
- Monitor changes in bite and spacing
- Help coordinate orthodontic referrals when appropriate
- Support confidence during this stage of dental development
Our team works closely with families to ensure care is timed correctly and expectations are clear.
Emergencies
Provide Braces
Do You Provide Braces?
Big Sky Pediatric Dentistry focuses on orthodontic evaluations, monitoring, and guidance as part of comprehensive pediatric dental care.
When orthodontic treatment is recommended, we:
- Explain findings clearly
- Discuss timing and treatment considerations
- Coordinate referrals to trusted orthodontic specialists when appropriate
Our role is to ensure your child is evaluated at the right time and guided toward the best long-term outcome.
Approach
A Parent-Centered Approach
We believe orthodontic care should be:
- Thoughtful, not rushed
- Based on growth and development
- Clearly explained to parents
- Tailored to each child’s needs
Not every child requires orthodontic treatment — and for those who do, timing makes all the difference.
Locations
Serving Families In
- Kalispell
- Whitefish
- Polson
- Libby
- Northwest Montana
Care Begins
Schedule an Orthodontic Evaluation
If your child is approaching age 7 — or if you’ve noticed crowding, bite concerns, or alignment issues — an orthodontic evaluation can provide clarity and peace of mind.
Request an appointment today at Big Sky Pediatric Dentistry to schedule an orthodontic evaluation for your child.
info@bigskypediatricdentistry.com
E-mail address
(406) 752-8302
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