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We are dedicated to guiding growing smiles to a healthy, confident future.

We use modern braces and aligners to intercept developing issues and guide your child’s jaw development and teeth positioning during their crucial formative years.

Treatment Overview

  • Purpose: Correct developing bite, misaligned teeth, and jaw issues. Create space for adult teeth. Improve dental health/aesthetics.
  • Lasts for: Treatment takes 6-24+ months. Results last a lifetime.
  • Type of treatment: Interceptive, preventative, and corrective dentistry

What is Orthodontics for Children?

Orthodontics for children in Wigan isn’t just about fixing crooked teeth for moody teenagers anymore. It’s as sophisticated as clinical disciplines get today.

At Circ Dental, we think of it as architectural planning for your child’s face and smile. We’re working with biology. Children are growing. Their jaws are developing. Their teeth are moving. We use this natural momentum to guide everything into the perfect position.

With adult orthodontics, we’re moving teeth within a fixed, fully-grown jaw. So, changes are harder to make. But, when treating children, we get a few magical windows of opportunity:

  • Early Intervention (Ages 6-10): This is the ‘interceptive’ phase. We spot skeletal issues – like narrow jaw growth – and gently guide it while the bone is still pliable. This can prevent the need for complex surgery later.
  • Adolescent Treatment (11-14): We use braces or aligners to perfect the bite-shape and alignment once adult teeth start growing

By intervening early (6-14), we can also widen their jaws to make space for their adult teeth. We use our state-of-the-art iTero 3D scanner (no messy, gag-inducing putty!) to get a precise map of your child’s mouth.

Then, we customise the treatment for their oral profile. The treatment might involve:

  • Fixed Metal Braces: The classic ‘train tracks’ are now smaller and more comfortable than ever.
  • Clear Fixed Braces: Ceramic brackets that blend with the tooth colour.
  • Clear Aligners: We offer Invisalign Teen and Invisalign First – both removable, virtually invisible aligners.
  • Functional Appliances: Custom, removable devices that use gentle pressure to guide jaw growth while your child sleeps.

Circ Dental’s orthodontics for children in Wigan set your child up for a lifetime of healthy dental function.

Benefits of Orthodontics for Children

Confidence

Adolescence is hard enough. Misaligned teeth cause self-consciousness issues. Correcting these issues early builds a foundation of confidence. This foundation transforms how the child interacts with the world.

Oral Health, for Life

If teeth sit in the right position, the hiding places for plaque are less. Naturally, there are fewer chances of dental decay and gum issues as they grow older.

Preventing Bigger Problems

Cross-bites, open bites, and protruding under-bites – fixing these skeletal issues now while the jaw is growing is infinitely easier than trying to fix them later when the bone is set.

Early intervention can also eliminate:

  • Risk of extensive enamel damage (caused by misaligned teeth’s crushing forces)
  • Risk of TMJ (jaw joint) pain and headaches in adulthood

Avoiding Future Surgery

Early guidance of the jaw can correct skeletal problems that, if left until adulthood, would require complex jaw surgery.

Orthodontics for Children in Wigan at Circ Dental

Initial Consultation 

The British Orthodontic Society recommends getting check-ups with ‘orthodontically-focused’ dentists by age 7. We perform a gentle exam. We take a comfortable 3D scan. And, we assess how their jaw is growing and where the adult teeth are.

Plan 

Based on the assessment, we decide on one of three paths:

  • Watchful Waiting: Everything looks fine – we simply monitor their growth at regular check-ups.
  • Phase 1 (Interceptive): We spot a developing issue (like a narrow jaw); we recommend a simple appliance now (e.g., ages 7-10) to guide their growth.
  • Adolescent Treatment: The jaw looks good, but the teeth need straightening – we wait until most adult teeth are in, (ages 11-14) to begin

We discuss all options, from metal braces to Invisalign , with zero pressure.

Active Treatment 

This is the main treatment phase. It typically lasts 18-24 months. It involves: 

  • Placing the chosen appliance
  • Scheduling regular adjustments (every 4-8 weeks) 

Our dental hygienists coach your child keeping their teeth healthy during the treatment.

Reveal (De-bond)

The best appointment of all! The appliance comes off, and we polish their new, beautiful, straight smile.

Retention 

Teeth have memory. They WILL TRY to drift back. The retention phase is what protects your investment and hard work. It is lifelong. This usually involves a small, fixed wire bonded invisibly behind the front teeth and/or a clear, removable retainer worn at night.

Aftercare

We show your child how to: 

  • Wear the dental appliance as directed.
  • Clean the fixed or removable appliance.
  • Prepare before attending future check-ups.

FAQs

1. Why check at age 7? My child still has loads of baby teeth!

Why check at age 7? My child still has loads of baby teeth!

2. NHS and private orthodontics- are the two same or different?

The NHS provides excellent care but has strict criteria (called the IOTN score) for who qualifies for free treatment. This usually means only moderate-to-severe cases are covered.

And, the waiting lists can be very long (3-6+ months). Private orthodontics for children in Wigan, which we offer, means you can start immediately.

3. Will it hurt?

Only a bit, for a few weeks after treatment. But they’ll be mild aches, not sharp pains. We’ll teach you how to minimise and manage that.

4. Invisalign Teen vs. Braces- Can you explain?

Invisalign Teen is fantastic. It’s removable, invisible, and easier to clean. However, it only works if it’s worn 20-22 hours a day. Fixed braces are the ‘non-compliant’ friendly option. They are on 24/7, doing their job.

5. Will my child be bullied for wearing ‘train tracks’?

Braces are so common now that the stigma is almost gone. Many younger kids even love choosing the different coloured bands!

6. What if they break a bracket?

Give us a call. We get them in for a simple repair.

7. How will they keep their teeth clean with braces on?

We’ll be their hygiene coach and teach them how to brush and floss with braces on.

8. How long will treatment actually take?

18-24 months (or less).

For further details on this course of treatment

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