First visit and assessment
You simply want to understand whether and when something needs to be done.
- We assess growth, bite and habits
- Often the advice is to monitor, not to treat
- Free and with no obligation
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Children's orthodontics · Interceptive · OlbiaGuiding growth, at the right time.
In childhood, the face and mouth are still forming: this is the window in which we can guide growth, rather than correcting later. In Olbia we assess your child and step in only when it is needed — and at the right moment.
Why now
It is never too early to look. It is often too early to act.
Your child's first dentist matters, and so does their first orthodontist. Stepping in within the right window — usually between the ages of 6 and 10, when the bones are still shapeable — makes it possible to guide growth and often to avoid long treatments or extractions in adulthood.
That is why the first visit is not a commitment: it is the way to work out together whether there is something to follow, to intercept, or simply to monitor over time. Without alarm.
At the right time
If you notice one of these signs, it is worth an assessment (not a cause for alarm)
Crooked or crowded teeth · a narrow palate, teeth that "can't find room" · crossbite or open bite · difficulty closing the mouth, lips often apart · breathing through the mouth, snoring, sleeping with the mouth open · a dummy or thumb beyond the age of 3 · the tongue pushing against the teeth (atypical swallowing).
Ages 6-10
What interceptive means
Guiding growth, not just straightening teeth
Interceptive orthodontics "intercepts" a problem while the child is growing, to guide the development of the bones and dental arches. It is different from classic braces, which straighten teeth that have already formed.
It makes the most of a window that then closes: in adulthood the same correction can require surgery or extractions. The first phase creates the conditions; any second phase, in the teenage years, refines the result and is shorter — and is not always needed.
Find your situation
What we do, depending on the case
The colour tells you whether it is an assessment, an appliance to guide growth, or a step that will concern the teenage years.
Palatal expander
The child has a narrow palate or a crossbite.
- Widens the palate by making use of growth
- Creates space for the teeth, improves the bite
- Active phase of a few weeks
Functional appliances
There are habits or a bite to correct (breathing, swallowing).
- They guide the growth of the upper and lower jaw
- Removable: they come out to eat and brush the teeth
Aligning the teeth
At an advanced stage of growth, to refine the alignment of the teeth.
- Fixed braces or clear aligners
- You'll find it on the orthodontics page
Now or later?
Intercept now or wait for the permanent teeth?
Waiting is not always free: some growth windows, once closed, do not come back.
Interceptive (ages 6-10)
- Acts on the bones and dental arches, not just the teeth
- Makes the most of bones that are still shapeable
- A narrow palate and a crossbite are corrected by guiding growth
- Any second phase is shorter
Waiting for the permanent teeth
- Only the position of the teeth can be acted on
- With the bones already fused
- Some cases then require extractions or surgery
- A single, longer course of treatment
These are typical scenarios, not the guaranteed outcome for an individual case: that is decided by the clinical assessment of your child.
No paste
Comfortable for them too
A digital impression, without the paste that makes them gag
With our on-site intraoral scanner we take the impression without unpleasant pastes — a relief for children — and with the 3D CT scan we study growth when it is needed.
- 3D scanner: a quick impression with no discomfort.
- Everything on site: no referrals to other centres.
- Parent involved: we explain what we see and why.
Parents' doubts, our answers
Let's talk about what's holding you back
- "It's too early" — this is precisely the stage when growth can be guided; some things, later in life, can no longer be corrected without surgery.
- "Let's wait until they grow up" — sometimes waiting means a longer treatment later. The visit tells you whether it's better to act or to wait.
- "They're just crooked teeth" — often it's about function: breathing, chewing, sleep, the position of the tongue.
- "They won't cooperate" — the appliances are designed for their age and the path is gradual: we put them at ease.
Is it right for your child?
An orthodontic assessment is worthwhile if…
If you recognise one of these situations, a visit to Olbia is worth it — often it is enough just to monitor.
- They have crooked, crowded or too widely spaced teeth.
- The palate seems narrow, the teeth "can't find room".
- They breathe through the mouth, snore or sleep with the mouth open.
- They still have a dummy or thumb in the mouth after the age of 3.
- They struggle to close the mouth or to bite.
- They are 6-7 years old and have never had an orthodontic check-up.
Frequently asked questions
Children's orthodontics: parents' questions
At what age should the first orthodontic visit take place?
Around the age of 6-7, even if the teeth look straight: at this stage we can catch any growth issues with the bones and dental arches in good time. Often, at the first visit, the advice is simply to keep an eye on things rather than to treat.
What is interceptive orthodontics?
It is the orthodontics that "intercepts" a problem while the child is growing, to guide the development of the bones and dental arches rather than simply straightening the teeth later. It makes the most of a window — usually between the ages of 6 and 10 — when the bones are still shapeable.
Why treat in childhood instead of waiting for the permanent teeth?
Some things, such as a narrow palate or a crossbite, are corrected by guiding growth while the bones have not yet fused. In adulthood, the same correction can require extractions or surgery. Acting at the right time often means a simpler, shorter path.
What is the palatal expander for?
It gently widens a narrow palate by making use of the child's growth, creating the space the teeth need and improving the bite and sometimes breathing. The active phase lasts a few weeks, followed by some months of stabilisation.
Does the appliance hurt the child?
It is not pain: in the first few days after activation there may be a little discomfort or a feeling of pressure, which soon passes. Appliances for children are designed for their age, and we guide them through it calmly.
Will my child manage to keep it in and cooperate?
In most cases, yes: the path is gradual and the appliances are suited to their age. We involve the child by explaining things in simple terms, and our experience with families helps us put them at ease.
If they still have their milk teeth, isn't it too early?
The mixed dentition stage is precisely when growth can be guided. It is never too early for an assessment, while it is sometimes too early to act: the visit will tell whether to follow, intercept or simply monitor over time.
Do a dummy or thumb-sucking damage the teeth?
Beyond the age of 3, a prolonged habit such as a dummy or thumb can affect the position of the teeth and the shape of the palate. It is worth an assessment to understand whether and how to step in, without alarm.
Does early treatment avoid braces as a teenager?
Not always, but often a first interceptive phase makes any later treatment simpler and shorter. Not all children need both phases: we assess it case by case, without making promises.
Free first visit
Let's take a look at the smile that's growing.
Book your child's first visit, free and with no obligation: together we'll work out whether there is something to follow, to intercept or simply to monitor.