Choosing a Kids Orthodontist in Sacramento

Choosing an orthodontist for kids in Sacramento is less about a single treatment and more about who is watching their growth over the next several years. At Evrigenis Orthodontics, Dr. Gregory Evrigenis sees children, teens and adults from across Sacramento at two offices — one in the Pavilions Shopping Center and one in the Natomas Professional Center — so families can keep appointments close to home, school or work.

Children are not small adults, and their orthodontic care should not be a scaled-down version of an adult plan. A child’s jaws are still growing, baby teeth are still being replaced, and habits like thumb sucking or mouth breathing can still be redirected. That growth window is an advantage, and it is the reason a kids orthodontist looks at timing as carefully as treatment.

Why Age Seven Matters

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven. By that age enough permanent teeth have come in for Dr. Evrigenis to see how the bite is developing, while there is still enough growth left to guide it.

Most seven-year-olds who come in do not start treatment. The visit ends with one of three answers: everything is developing normally and we will see you in a year; something is developing that we want to monitor as more teeth erupt; or there is a problem that is genuinely easier to correct now than later. Knowing which of the three applies to your child is worth the appointment on its own.

Problems Easier to Correct Early

  • Crossbites that make the jaw shift to one side when your child bites down
  • Severe crowding where permanent teeth have no room to erupt
  • Front teeth that stick out far enough to be at risk during sports or falls
  • Underbites, where the lower teeth close in front of the upper teeth
  • Narrow upper jaws and airway concerns, sometimes addressed with palatal expansion
  • Thumb, finger and tongue habits that are pushing teeth out of position

What Early Treatment Looks Like

When early — or Phase I — treatment is recommended, it is usually short and targeted. The goal is not a finished smile at age eight; it is to create room, correct a bite relationship or guide jaw growth so that the later phase is simpler. A child may wear an expander or a partial set of braces for several months, then go into a monitoring period while the remaining permanent teeth arrive.

Many children then have a second phase in their early teens, and by then the hard part has already been solved. Some avoid a second phase entirely. Dr. Evrigenis will tell you honestly which outcome he expects rather than committing you to two rounds of treatment by default.

Your Child’s First Visit

The first appointment is a free consultation. It includes a friendly exam, any imaging that is needed to see what is happening under the gums, and a straightforward conversation with you about what he sees. If nothing needs doing, we will say so and put your child on our growth-monitoring recall rather than starting treatment to fill a chair.

We keep the visit relaxed on purpose. Children who are nervous about the dentist are usually nervous about the unknown, so we show them the tools, explain each step in plain language and give them time to ask their own questions. Parents are welcome in the treatment area throughout.

Treatment Options for Younger Patients

When a child is ready to start, Evrigenis Orthodontics offers a full range of options: traditional metal braces, tooth-colored clear braces for children who are self-conscious, self-ligating brackets, expanders, and Invisalign clear aligners for the right candidates. Dr. Evrigenis matches the appliance to the problem and to the child, not the other way around. You can read more about our approach to braces in Sacramento or about orthodontics for all ages.

Questions Parents Ask Us Most

Does my child need a referral from their dentist?

No. You can book a consultation directly with our office. Many families come to us on a dentist’s referral, and many simply call on their own after noticing crowding or a bite that looks off.

How long does treatment take for a child?

Early treatment is often a matter of months rather than years, followed by a period of observation. Comprehensive treatment in the teen years commonly runs longer. Dr. Evrigenis will give you a specific estimate for your child at the consultation instead of an average.

Do you offer payment plans?

Yes. Our team will review your insurance benefits and available payment arrangements with you before you commit to anything, so there are no surprises after treatment starts.

Which office should we visit?

Whichever is more convenient. Both the Pavilions and Natomas offices are staffed by the same team and offer the same treatments; families in North Natomas usually choose Del Paso Road, while families near Sierra Oaks and Arden-Arcade usually choose Pavilions Lane.

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.