Braces for Children at Evrigenis Orthodontics
Braces for kids in Sacramento are still the most dependable way to move a child’s teeth into position, and they handle problems that no other appliance can. At Evrigenis Orthodontics, Dr. Gregory Evrigenis places braces for children at both our Pavilions Lane and Del Paso Road offices in Sacramento, starting with a free consultation and an honest answer about whether your child needs them yet.
That last part matters. Not every crowded seven-year-old needs brackets, and a child who starts too early can end up in appliances far longer than necessary. Timing is a clinical decision, and we make it based on what the exam and imaging show.
How Braces Move Teeth
A bracket is bonded to each tooth and connected by an archwire. The wire wants to return to its shaped form, and as it does it applies light, continuous pressure. Bone remodels around the root in response — dissolving on one side and rebuilding on the other — and the tooth relocates. Adjustment visits change the wire or the ties so the pressure keeps working in the right direction.
Because the brackets are fixed in place, they work whether or not your child remembers anything, which is exactly why braces remain the first choice for younger patients and for complicated rotations, impacted teeth and bite correction.
Types of Braces We Offer Children
Metal Braces
Stainless steel brackets with elastic ties. Today’s versions are much smaller than the ones parents wore, and kids get to pick tie colors at every visit — the one part of treatment children reliably look forward to. Read more about metal braces.
Clear Braces
Ceramic brackets in a tooth-colored shade for children who do not want a visible mouthful of metal. They are a little more delicate and are usually recommended for the upper front teeth. Read more about clear braces.
Partial Braces
During early treatment, some children only need brackets on a few teeth for a short period to correct a specific problem such as a crossbite or a protruding front tooth. That is a much smaller commitment than full treatment, and often the entire Phase I plan.
What to Expect at the Bonding Appointment
Placing braces is not painful and does not require numbing. The teeth are cleaned and dried, brackets are bonded on with adhesive, the wire is placed and secured, and your child walks out with their appliance in place. Plan on a longer appointment than usual.
Soreness starts later that day and typically lasts a few days. Soft food, cold drinks and children’s pain reliever cover it. Wax over any bracket that is irritating a cheek helps while the tissue toughens up, which it does within a couple of weeks.
Foods, Hygiene and Broken Brackets
The food rules exist to protect the brackets: no ice, hard candy, nuts, popcorn or chewing on pens; cut apples and corn off the cob instead of biting into them; go easy on sticky candy and sugary drinks. A broken bracket is not an emergency, but it does mean an extra appointment and can stall progress, so it is worth the effort.
Brushing takes longer with braces — after every meal if possible, angling the brush above and below the brackets, plus floss threaders or a water flosser at night. We show your child exactly how at the bonding visit and check their technique at each adjustment. White marks around brackets come from plaque left sitting, and they do not go away when the braces do.
How Long Will My Child Wear Braces?
Comprehensive treatment commonly runs between one and two and a half years, while early, targeted treatment can be a matter of months. The variables are how far the teeth have to travel, whether the bite needs correcting and how consistently elastics are worn. Dr. Evrigenis gives a specific estimate at the consultation and updates you as treatment progresses.
Cost, Insurance and Payment
Fees depend on the treatment plan, so we quote them after the exam rather than over the phone. Our team will check your orthodontic insurance benefit, explain what it covers, and lay out payment plan options before you decide anything. If you would rather start with the basics, our new patient information covers what to bring and what to expect.
Is Your Child Ready?
The simplest next step is a free consultation. If your child is not ready for braces, we will tell you and put them on a growth-monitoring schedule. If they are, you will leave knowing the plan, the timeline and the cost. See also our pages on orthodontics for children and braces in Sacramento.
Schedule a Free Consultation in Sacramento
Every new patient at Evrigenis Orthodontics starts with a free consultation — an exam, a conversation about what you are seeing, and a clear recommendation with no pressure to start. Visit us at our Pavilions office at 544 Pavilions Lane, Sacramento, CA 95825 (916-923-9168) or our Natomas office at 1954 Del Paso Road, Suite 101, Sacramento, CA 95834 (916-575-9990). Both offices see patients Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.