Orthodontics for Children in Queens, NY
At BP Smiles Orthodontics in Queens, NY, we believe every child deserves a healthy, confident smile that lasts a lifetime. That journey starts early. Dr. Boris Pinhasov, our board-certified orthodontist, recommends children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7; following the guidelines of the American Association of Orthodontists.
We know that might sound early, but this gentle check-up can spot small issues before they become big problems. Our warm, family-friendly approach ensures both you and your child feel comfortable every step of the way.
Early orthodontic care is all about prevention and peace of mind. By age 7, most kids have a mix of baby and adult teeth, which gives us a clear window into how their smile is growing. Even if no treatment is needed right now (and often it isn’t), an early visit lets Dr. Pinhasov monitor your child’s jaw development and tooth alignment as they grow. You’ll get expert reassurance that their smile is on track or learn about any little corrections that could help avoid more complex treatment later.
We even offer free consultations, so it costs nothing to come in, meet our friendly team, and get personalized guidance for your child. For years, families from Bayside, Flushing, Fresh Meadows, and all across Queens have trusted us to care for their children’s smiles in a gentle, personalized way. Schedule a free consultation today at our Queens office to give your child a head start on a healthy smile!
Your Child’s First Orthodontic Visit: What to Expect
Bringing your child to the orthodontist for the first time can be nerve-wracking; but at BP Smiles Orthodontics, we turn it into a positive, stress-free experience. Your child’s first visit with us is gentle, informative, and completely pressure-free. Here’s what you can expect:
- A warm welcome: From the moment you walk in, our team makes kids (and parents) feel at home. Our Queens office has a cheerful, kid-friendly atmosphere that helps put your child at ease.
- Easy exam and X-rays (only if needed): Pinhasov will count and examine your child’s teeth, check how their top and bottom teeth fit together (their bite), and evaluate jaw growth. We might take a quick digital X-ray or photos to see developing teeth, but only if necessary and always using kid-safe, low-dose technology.
- Bite & jaw check: The doctor gently checks for any early signs of crowding, spacing, or bite issues (like an underbite or crossbite). This exam is painless mostly having your child bite down, smile, and open wide so we can see how things are coming in.
- Kid-friendly explanations: Pinhasov has a knack for explaining things to kids in fun, simple ways. He might show your child a model of braces or use a mirror to point out their teeth, turning the visit into an educational adventure.
- No-pressure guidance: After the exam, we’ll discuss our findings with you. If everything looks good, we may simply recommend regular check-ups every 6-12 months to keep an eye on development. If an early issue is spotted, Dr. Pinhasov will outline any treatment options (like a small device or limited braces) that could help. But there’s never any obligation to start treatment immediately, our job is to inform you of your options, not to push you into anything.
By the end of the first visit, you and your child will know exactly what’s going on with their smile. Many parents tell us their kids leave our office smiling and excited to come back and that’s our goal!
A Kid-Friendly, Comforting Environment
We know that a trip to the orthodontist can be a big adventure for a little kid. That’s why we’ve made sure that BP Smiles Orthodontics is not just state-of-the-art, but also fun and welcoming for children. When you visit our office, you’ll find:
- A bright, cheerful reception area with toys, books, or even cartoons playing, so kids feel right at home.
- A friendly staff that loves working with children. From the front desk to our dental assistants, everyone goes the extra mile to be patient, gentle, and positive. We’ll greet your child by name and celebrate their bravery for coming in!
- Little rewards and comforts: whether it’s letting your child pick the color of their braces, rubber bands, getting a high-five or a sticker after their exam, or just telling them how awesome they did, we make sure kids feel proud of themselves.
- An open-door policy for parents. You’re welcome to accompany your child during their exam and treatment. We encourage parents to ask questions and be involved; after all, you’re a crucial part of the team.
Our goal is to build trust with your family. Many of our young patients can’t wait to come back for their visits, because we make the experience engaging and positive. We love seeing kids grow up with healthy, happy smiles and good memories of their orthodontist!
Dr. Pinhasov’s gentle approach sets the tone for our office. As a board-certified specialist (and as someone who truly enjoys working with kids), he takes the time to get to know each child’s personality and comfort level.
No two kids are alike, so we personalize our care, whether that means explaining things in a silly way to make your child laugh, or taking a little extra time to help a nervous patient relax. Here, your child is more than just a patient; they’re part of our BP Smiles family.
Proudly Serving Queens Families
BP Smiles Orthodontics is a local practice with a big heart for the community. Our office is conveniently located in Oakland Gardens, Queens, making us easily accessible for families in Bayside, Flushing, Fresh Meadows, Hollis Hills and surrounding neighborhoods. We’re proud to be the children’s orthodontist that Queens parents trust for compassionate care and excellent results.
Whether it’s early expanders or kids’ braces in Oakland Gardens, our team is dedicated to the highest quality of personalized care for every young smile. Whether you’re coming from down the street in Oakland Gardens or driving in from Flushing or Bayside, you’ll always be greeted with a smile and treated with respect.
Being a part of the Queens community means we understand and embrace the diversity of the families we serve. Your child’s smile is our passion, and it’s our privilege to help local children grow up with confidence.
The Benefits of Early Orthodontic Care
You might be wondering why checking on orthodontics at age 7 is so important. Early orthodontic evaluation can make a world of difference for your child’s oral health and future smile. Here are some key benefits of catching issues early:
- Guide jaw growth: We can ensure the upper and lower jaws develop in harmony, which helps prevent problems like severe overbites or underbites later on.
- Create space for adult teeth: If your child’s mouth is a bit too small for incoming permanent teeth, early measures (like an expander) can make room and reduce crowding. This can often prevent the need for extracting teeth in the future.
- Correct bite issues sooner: Problems like crossbites (when some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth) or protruding front teeth can be addressed at a younger age, improving function and even protecting teeth from damage.
- Shorter, simpler treatment later: Early intervention can reduce the complexity or length of braces needed in the teen years. In some cases, fixing a small issue now means your child might spend less time in full braces when they’re older.
- Prevent bigger problems: By intercepting issues while the jaw and facial bones are still growing, we can often avoid more invasive treatments (like jaw surgery) down the road.
- Boosted confidence: Addressing visible concerns (such as very crooked front teeth) at a young age can help your child feel more confident about their smile as they grow.
And remember, not every child will need early treatment. In many cases, an early exam simply gives you peace of mind. You’ll know your child’s development is on the right track, and we’ll be here to monitor their progress. If we do spot something, catching it early can save time, money, and ensure the best outcome for your kid’s smile.
Is your child around age 7? If so, it’s the perfect time for an orthodontic check. Book a free consultation with Dr. Pinhasov and our friendly team to learn how early orthodontic care can benefit your child.
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Frequently Asked Question
Why Should my Child see an Orthodontist by Age 7?
Age 7 is a milestone because by this time most children have a mix of baby teeth and adult teeth. This mix allows an orthodontist to spot any developing issues with how the teeth or jaws are growing. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first check by age 7 so that problems like crowding, bite misalignment, or jaw growth issues can be caught early.
Keep in mind, an evaluation by 7 doesn’t usually mean treatment right away, it simply gives you knowledge and a plan going forward. Early detection means we can take a “wait and watch” approach or intervene at the ideal time if needed, ensuring the best outcome for your child.
Will my child need braces right away at age 7?
In most cases, no. The majority of 7-year-olds do not need braces or any orthodontic appliance right after their first evaluation. In fact, Dr. Pinhasov often advises a conservative approach: if your child’s teeth and jaws are developing normally, we’ll just schedule periodic check-ups (perhaps once or twice a year) to monitor progress.
Only children who show certain issues, for example, a crossbite causing the jaw to shift, severe crowding that’s already evident, or habits that affect the teeth might benefit from early treatment. And even then, early treatment is usually small-scale (like an expander or partial braces) to correct the issue and then pause until they’re older. Our philosophy is to provide the right treatment at the right time, so you can trust we won’t recommend braces unless it’s truly beneficial for your child.
