Orthodontics

At Golden Kids Dental & Orthodontics, we provide personalized orthodontic care for children, teens, and adults throughout Golden, Lakewood, Arvada, Evergreen, Wheat Ridge, Morrison, West Pleasant View, and surrounding Colorado communities. Our orthodontic team focuses on creating healthy, confident smiles while improving bite function, alignment, and long term oral health.

Because our office combines pediatric dentistry and orthodontics under one roof, families benefit from coordinated care that supports healthy smile development from childhood through adulthood.

When Should My Child See an Orthodontist?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children receive an orthodontic evaluation by age 7 or earlier if concerns are noticed. Even if braces are not immediately needed, early orthodontic evaluations allow our team to monitor jaw growth, tooth eruption, and bite development.

Some orthodontic concerns become easier to treat when identified early. By carefully monitoring your child’s growth and development, we can recommend the ideal timing for treatment if needed.

Early orthodontic evaluations may help identify:

Crowding
Crossbites
Narrow dental arches
Overbites and underbites
Jaw growth concerns
Spacing problems
Protruding teeth
Eruption issues

Early Orthodontic Treatment

Early orthodontic treatment, sometimes called interceptive orthodontics, focuses on guiding dental and jaw development while children are still growing. Addressing certain concerns early can help reduce the risk of more severe orthodontic problems later.

Early treatment may help:

Create space for permanent teeth
Improve jaw alignment
Correct bite problems
Reduce crowding
Improve facial balance
Protect protruding teeth from injury

Not every child needs early treatment, but timely intervention can often simplify future orthodontic care.

Phase I Orthodontic Treatment

Phase I orthodontic treatment typically occurs while a child still has a combination of baby and permanent teeth. The goal is to guide proper jaw growth and address developing orthodontic concerns before they worsen.

Phase I treatment may include:

Partial braces
Expanders
Space maintainers
Bite correction appliances
Habit correction appliances

This stage of treatment helps prepare the mouth for healthier permanent tooth eruption and may reduce future treatment complexity.

Phase II Orthodontic Treatment

Phase II treatment focuses on aligning all permanent teeth once they have erupted. Because many concerns may have already been improved during earlier treatment, Phase II treatment is often more efficient and streamlined.

The goal of Phase II orthodontics is to:

Create a balanced bite
Improve tooth alignment
Enhance smile appearance
Support long term oral function
Improve overall dental health

Comprehensive braces or aligner treatment may be recommended depending on the patient’s needs.

Comprehensive Orthodontic Treatment

Comprehensive orthodontic treatment addresses the alignment of the teeth, jaw positioning, and bite function. Treatment is typically recommended once most or all permanent teeth are present.

Orthodontic treatment may help correct:

Crooked teeth
Bite misalignment
Spacing concerns
Crowding
Overbites
Underbites
Crossbites

A healthy bite not only improves smile appearance but can also support better oral hygiene, chewing function, and long term dental stability.

Traditional metal braces remain one of the most effective and reliable orthodontic treatment options available. Today’s braces are smaller, smoother, and more comfortable than ever before.

Metal braces are commonly recommended for:

Children
Teens
Complex orthodontic cases
Significant bite correction

Modern braces provide predictable tooth movement and excellent long term results.

Ceramic braces use tooth colored or clear brackets to provide a more discreet orthodontic treatment option. These braces are especially popular among teens and adults who want a less noticeable appearance during treatment.

Ceramic braces offer:

More aesthetic appearance
Effective tooth movement
Comfortable fit
Reliable orthodontic correction

In some situations, traditional metal braces may still be recommended depending on treatment complexity and durability needs.

Self ligating braces use specialized brackets designed to reduce friction and allow teeth to move more efficiently. This system may offer:

Smoother tooth movement
Lighter orthodontic forces
Fewer adjustments
Improved comfort
Potentially shorter treatment times

Self ligating orthodontic systems are designed to improve efficiency while maintaining excellent treatment control.

Invisalign Teen® uses a series of clear, removable aligners to gradually straighten teeth without traditional brackets or wires. This treatment option is popular among teens and adults looking for a more discreet orthodontic solution.

Benefits of Invisalign Teen® include:

Virtually invisible appearance
Removable aligners
Easier brushing and flossing
No food restrictions
Comfortable fit
Fewer office visits in some cases

Our orthodontic team carefully evaluates whether Invisalign Teen® is the right option based on your child’s orthodontic needs and compliance.

The Wilson appliance is used to help correct certain bite problems, including overbite correction. This orthodontic appliance uses braces, wires, and rubber bands to help reposition upper molars and improve bite alignment.

Benefits of early bite correction with the Wilson appliance may include:

Improved jaw alignment
Reduced time in full braces
Earlier correction of bite concerns
More efficient orthodontic treatment

Our orthodontist will determine whether this appliance may benefit your child’s treatment plan.

Orthodontic treatment is not just for children and teens. Many adults choose braces or Invisalign treatment to improve smile appearance, correct bite issues, or address tooth movement that has occurred over time.

Adult orthodontics may help:

Improve smile confidence
Correct bite function
Reduce uneven tooth wear
Improve oral hygiene
Address crowding or spacing

It is never too late to achieve a healthier, straighter smile.

After active orthodontic treatment is completed, retainers play an essential role in maintaining your results. Teeth naturally tend to shift over time, which is why wearing retainers as instructed is extremely important.

The retention phase helps: