Early Orthodontics

Orthodontic Treatment for Children At Griffin Orthodontics, we believe that starting orthodontic care early can make a world of difference for your child’s smile. By evaluating their needs sooner rather than later, we can monitor jaw growth and timing, guiding healthy development while creating space for those permanent teeth. Our interceptive treatments focus on preventing […]

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Unlock The Benefits Of Braces For Children and Teens!


At Griffin Orthodontics, we know early care can make a big difference in your child’s smile and confidence. Our personalized orthodontic treatments help guide healthy growth while making the experience comfortable, positive, and stress-free for kids and parents. Looking for an orthodontist you can trust? We proudly serve families in West Allis, Oak Creek, and the greater Milwaukee area.

Why Families Choose Griffin Orthodontics

  • Decades of orthodontic experience in the Milwaukee area
  • Guidance for parents on daily care, oral hygiene, and appliance or aligner use
  • A welcoming, kid-friendly environment that helps children feel comfortable and confident
  • Open, easy-to-understand communication throughout treatment
Why is early orthodontic treatment important for children?

Why is early orthodontic treatment important for children?

For many Milwaukee parents, orthodontic care is a proactive investment in a child’s long-term health that goes far beyond a straight smile. As permanent teeth emerge, many children develop bite or alignment issues—such as crowding, overbites, or misaligned jaws—that are much easier to correct while their bone structure is still developing. Addressing these concerns early with Dr. David J. Griffin helps prevent future complications like speech challenges, jaw pain, or difficulty chewing, often saving your child from more invasive and costly procedures later in life.

Why Braces for Children Matter?

Why Braces for Children Matter?

The Benefits of Early Intervention:

  • Correcting Crowding: We address overlapping teeth early to make brushing easier and prevent future decay.
  • Guiding Jaw Growth: Early intervention helps resolve underbites and crossbites while the jaw is still responsive to alignment.
  • Closing Gaps: We manage spacing issues to ensure permanent teeth have the room they need to erupt correctly.
  • Preventing Complications: Proactive care reduces the risk of long-term dental issues and promotes healthy oral habits.

Our goal is to provide a stress-free experience that sets your child up with a healthy bite and the confidence of a beautiful smile. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Griffin provides the parent-to-parent guidance you need to make the best decision for your family’s budget and schedule.

When Should My Child Get Braces in Milwaukee?

When Should My Child Get Braces in Milwaukee?

According to the American Association of Orthodontists, children should have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. While this may seem early, an initial screening at this age allows a specialist like Dr. David J. Griffin to monitor jaw development and the transition from primary to permanent teeth. By age seven, most children have enough permanent teeth for an orthodontist to identify potential alignment or growth issues before they become more complex or require invasive procedures later in life.

What are the best orthodontic treatment options for kids and teens in Milwaukee?

What are the best orthodontic treatment options for kids and teens in Milwaukee?

Depending on your child’s needs, treatment may include:

  • Palatal Expanders are used to gently widen the upper jaw to create space for permanent teeth and support healthy jaw development during growth.
  • Spark Clear Aligners provide a discreet, removable option for correcting mild alignment issues without brackets or wires.
  • Clear Ceramic Braces by LightForce® use tooth-colored ceramic brackets that blend in naturally with teeth, making them far less noticeable than traditional metal braces while still delivering precise, customized results.
  • Traditional metal braces by KL Owenare metal braces provide an affordable, proven solution for reliable orthodontic results across a wide range of treatment needs.

Real Patient Cases

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Orthodontics for Adults

Patient DFP

Adult aligners 30 months; severe crowding; anterior open bite; Dental veneers after orthodontics placed by Dentist.

Severe Crowding & Open Bite
Clear Aligners & Veneers
Duration: 30 Months
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After treatment result for Patient DFP AFTER
Before treatment condition BEFORE
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Ready For Your New Smile?

Reach out to us! Book a complimentary consultation today— we’ll address your inquiries, assess your child’s requirements, and ensure you feel assured about their upcoming journey. Our focus is on Early Orthodontics, providing Braces for Children and Braces for Teens at affordable rates.

Best decision ever!

- Sarah M.

Yes, there is usually just a small learning curve. Most young musicians find that after a week or two of practice, they can play their trumpet, flute, or clarinet just as well as before. We provide plenty of orthodontic wax to help cushion the lips during those first few practice sessions, ensuring your child can stay active in their school band or orchestra.

This is a common concern for parents when deciding between Spark™ Clear Aligners and fixed braces. Because aligners are removable for eating and sports, they can occasionally be misplaced in a school cafeteria or locker room. If your child struggles with organization or is prone to losing track of their belongings, traditional or LightForce™ 3D-printed braces might be the better choice. These “fixed” options remain bonded to the teeth throughout treatment, removing the responsibility of tracking removable trays and ensuring the process stays on schedule without the added cost or delay of ordering replacement aligners.

Absolutely. We work with many local Milwaukee schools to find appointment times that minimize time away from the classroom. Many parents prefer starting treatment during a school break so their child has a few days to get used to the feel of braces, but we successfully start new smiles all year round.

Yes! This is often referred to as Phase 1 treatment. We sometimes place braces on just a few permanent teeth while baby teeth are still present to correct a specific issue, like a crossbite or severe crowding, that could cause bigger problems later. Once those baby teeth fall out, we typically take a “rest” period before starting Phase 2 when all permanent teeth are in.

Absolutely! One of the most exciting parts for kids and teens getting braces is the ability to personalize their smile. We offer a wide variety of colored bands that can be swapped out at every adjustment appointment, typically every 4 to 8 weeks. Whether they want to represent their school colors, match a holiday theme, or just pick their favorite shades, Dr. Griffin and our team love helping patients express their personality through their orthodontic journey.

FAQ's

Resources & Support

Explore our Frequently Asked Questions to find clear answers and valuable insights about orthodontic treatments, procedures, and care to help you make informed decisions for your smile.
Treatment Goal Phase 1: Interceptive Phase 2: Corrective
Optimal Timing Ages 7–10
(Early Mixed Dentition)
Ages 11–13+
(Permanent Teeth)
Clinical Focus
  • Jaw growth modification
  • Creating space for adult teeth
  • Final tooth positioning
  • Perfecting the bite (occlusion)
Common Tools Palatal Expanders, Space Maintainers, Partial Braces Full Spark™ Aligners or LightForce™ Braces
Outcome Reduces risk of future extractions or impacted teeth. A functional, stable, and aesthetically beautiful smile.

Early orthodontic intervention at Griffin Orthodontics follows the AAO recommendation that every child has an evaluation by age 7. Whether your child needs a palatal expander in West Allis or clear aligners in Oak Creek, we focus on long-term dental health.


Education & Resources

Straight Talk: Navigating Your Orthodontic Journey

From expert advice on choosing the right braces to tips on maintaining your oral health during treatment, our articles aim to empower you on your journey to a beautiful, confident smile.

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Our Locations

Come by one of our locations and meet our friendly team! We’re ready to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. We look forward to meeting you soon!

Orthodontic Partners & Professional Memberships

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