Child Orthodontics in Sydney
- Early guidance for growing smiles
- Tailored options: braces, aligners or appliances
- A gentle team that guides you at every step
At Love That Smile, we believe a healthy smile begins in childhood. Our specialist orthodontists in Pittwater and Macarthur provide gentle, tailored care to help children grow with confidence. From early checks to braces or aligners, we guide each stage with expertise and patience.
Why early orthodontic assessment matters
A child’s smile is still developing. Around the mixed dentition stage — when baby teeth and adult teeth are both present — an orthodontic assessment can help identify concerns before they become more complex. Early assessment allows us to check:
- How the jaws are growing
- Whether there is enough space for adult teeth
- How the upper and lower teeth bite together
- Whether habits such as thumb-sucking or tongue thrusting are affecting development
- Whether treatment is needed now, later, or not at all
What child orthodontics can fix
- Narrow jaw or constricted palate
- Overbite (deep bite)
- Underbite (Class III)
- Crossbite
- Crowding (mild to severe)
- Spacing or gaps (diastema)
- Protruding teeth / overjet
- Thumb-sucking or tongue thrust habits
Not every child needs treatment straight away — but every child benefits from the right assessment at the right time. Book an assessment and we’ll guide you clearly.
Orthodontic treatments for children
At Love That Smile, children’s orthodontics is planned carefully and only recommended when there is a clear clinical reason. Our aim is to guide growth, support healthy bite development and reduce unnecessary complexity where possible.
Early and preventive orthodontics
Early care often means avoiding complex treatment later. At this stage, we may use small appliances to maintain space for permanent teeth or guide early jaw growth. Preventive care can help guide adult teeth into a healthier position and reduces the risk of crowding. Our appliances:
- Space maintainers — keeping room for adult teeth if baby teeth are lost early.
- Habit correction appliances — gentle tools to stop thumb-sucking or tongue thrusting.
Interceptive orthodontics (ages 7–10)
Between ages 7 and 10, children are in a mixed dentition stage (with both baby and adult teeth). Interceptive orthodontics focuses on correcting bite problems and creating space before all permanent teeth appear. This proactive approach can make later treatment shorter and simpler.
Functional and orthopaedic appliances (ages 7–13)
When the jaws are still growing, functional appliances can be used to balance development. These treatments don’t just move teeth — they influence jaw growth and improve the way teeth, lips and facial muscles work together. This helps children achieve better bite function and facial harmony. Our appliances:
- Rapid Palatal Expander (RPE) — widens a narrow upper jaw.
- Herbst appliance or twin block — corrects bite imbalance.
- Reverse pull headgear — sometimes used for underbite correction.
Braces for children
Braces can be a predictable option for guiding teeth into their correct position. They can correct crowding, spacing and bite problems effectively. For children, braces are designed to be smaller, smoother and more comfortable than ever before.
Clear aligners for children
Clear aligners are a modern option for selected child patients, particularly those with mild to moderate crowding or spacing issues. They are removable, making it easier to brush, floss and eat, and can be very comfortable for children who prefer not to wear fixed braces.
CHILD ORTHODONTIST IN SYDNEY
Dr B. Lalli has been providing orthodontic care for children, teenagers and adults for over 20 years. His approach is calm, detailed and diagnosis-led, with a strong focus on bite function, facial balance and long-term stability.
At Love That Smile, families are guided clearly through every stage — from the first assessment to treatment planning, reviews and retention. The goal is never to rush children into treatment, but to recommend the right care at the right time.
Early orthodontic results
Every child’s smile develops differently. Our case gallery helps parents see how early orthodontic care, appliances, braces or aligners can support healthier bite development when treatment is clinically indicated.
Why patients choose Love That Smile
At Love That Smile, we take the time to assess your case, explain the plan clearly, and guide you through each stage.
Prestige
20 years’ experience, over 7,000 orthodontic cases treated and countless happy patients. Quality and assurance for those who want the very best.
Expertise
Orthodontics only — all ages, all techniques, innovative technology and the most accurate diagnosis, even for complex cases.
Experience
Warm, attentive care with personalised treatment plans. Every detail considered, for your smile and your overall wellbeing.No rushed appointments, no pressure decisions.
Choose your clinic
Flexible payment options
Frequently Asked Questions about child orthodontics
What are the benefits of child orthodontics?
Child orthodontics can help guide healthy teeth, bite and jaw development while your child is still growing. In some cases, early orthodontic care may create more space for adult teeth, improve bite function, reduce the complexity of future treatment and support better long-term oral health.
It is not about starting treatment early for every child. It is about assessing growth at the right time and deciding whether your child needs treatment now, later, or simply careful monitoring.
At what age should kids see an orthodontist?
Many children benefit from an orthodontic assessment around age 7 or 8, when the first adult teeth have usually started to come through. This does not mean treatment will start straight away. It simply allows us to check jaw growth, bite development and whether adult teeth have enough space to erupt.
Does my child need braces straight away?
Not necessarily. Many children are monitored until the right time to begin treatment. If early treatment is not needed, we’ll explain what we’re watching and when your child should be reviewed.
What orthodontic appliances do you offer for children, and what are they used for?
At Love That Smile, we use different orthodontic appliances depending on each child’s age, growth stage and clinical needs. These may include space maintainers to preserve room for adult teeth, habit appliances to help with thumb-sucking or tongue thrusting, palatal expanders to widen a narrow upper jaw, and functional appliances to help guide bite and jaw development.
Not every child needs an appliance. After a full orthodontic assessment, we’ll explain which option is suitable, what it is designed to do and how it fits into your child’s overall treatment plan.
What is interceptive orthodontics?
Interceptive orthodontics, sometimes called Phase 1 treatment, is early treatment used while a child is still growing. It may help guide jaw development, create space, manage habits or correct bite problems such as crossbite or underbite.
Can children have clear aligners?
Yes, some children may be suitable for clear aligners, but it depends on their dental development, the type of tooth movement needed and whether they can wear the aligners as instructed. We’ll only recommend aligners if they are suitable for your child’s case.At your consultation, we’ll explain your options clearly and provide a personalised cost based on your needs — with flexible payment plans available.
