Children's orthodontics in Auckland
The best time for your child's first orthodontic check is around age seven, even though treatment itself often comes later. A lot of the time the right advice is simply to keep an eye on things as they grow, and when early treatment does help, our specialist guides it. Children's early treatment starts from $4,500, and the first check is free.
Looking after young smiles is what we love most. We guide it gently, and only ever recommend treatment when it is clearly worthwhile.
First check from around age 7. No referral needed.
Reviewed by Dr Shaz MacAvoy, Specialist Orthodontist. Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (Orthodontics), registered with the Dental Council of New Zealand.
Founded and led by specialist orthodontist Dr Shaz MacAvoy. Your child's care is always planned and directed by a registered specialist orthodontist.
When should my child first see an orthodontist?
From around age seven. By then a few adult teeth have come through, so we can spot anything that may need guiding while there is still plenty of growth to work with. It is about timing, not rushing.
A gentle first look
A relaxed check to see how the teeth and jaws are developing. Nothing invasive, and nothing scary for your child.
Often, we just watch
Most children need no treatment yet. We give you a plan and a review date, and keep an eye on things as they grow.
Treat only when it helps
If acting early makes later treatment simpler or prevents a problem worsening, we will say so. If not, we wait.
What early treatment can help with
A handful of things are easier to guide while a child is still growing. The most common are:
Bite and jaw
Crossbites, or a narrow upper jaw that benefits from gentle expansion to balance how the jaws grow together.
Teeth coming through
Front teeth that stick out, baby teeth that will not come out on their own, or adult teeth that are missing or stuck.
Habits
Thumb sucking and similar habits, which we can help gently stop before they affect how the teeth and jaws develop.
When early treatment is the right call, we use gentle tools like plates, expanders or a short course of early braces. You can see these on our treatments page.
Will my child need braces twice?
Usually not. Most children only ever need one round of treatment. Two-phase care is the exception, not the rule.
An early, focused step
A short, targeted treatment while your child is still growing, used only when it clearly makes things easier down the track. Where a second phase is genuinely not anticipated, Phase 1 on its own starts from around $4,500.
Later, if needed
Full braces once all the adult teeth are through, for the final result. Many children skip this, or never need a first phase at all.
When we can see from the start that your child will benefit from both phases, we plan and quote them together upfront, typically $11,900 to $12,500 combined. You know the full picture from day one, it saves money over the long run, and a longer interest-free payment plan, usually spread over 30 months, makes it easier for families to manage. When your child is ready for full treatment, see our guide to braces in Auckland, visit our page for teenagers, or learn more about a specialist orthodontist in Auckland.
Wondering if it is time for a first check?
Book a Free Smile Assessment, in Newmarket or on Zoom. We will take a gentle look and give you a straight answer on whether to start now or simply keep watching, with no pressure either way.
See what's possible
High canines and crowding are two of the most common problems we see in children and teens. Three real Milk patients, before and after.
This canine sat high above the arch with a large gap beneath it. We guided it down into its proper place and the smile closed up evenly.
Canines that erupt high and stick out are one of the most common worries parents bring to us. This one now sits perfectly in line.
Overlapped, rotated front teeth and a bite so deep the lower teeth barely showed. Both were fixed together in one treatment.
Every photo is a real Milk Orthodontics patient, shared with their permission. See more real results ›
Common questions from parents
When should my child first see an orthodontist?
From around age seven. By then enough adult teeth have come through for us to spot anything that may need guiding, while there is still plenty of growth to work with. Most children who come for an early check need no treatment yet, just a plan and a date to review.
Does my child need early treatment, or can we wait?
Often you can wait, and simply watching while your child grows is the right call. Early treatment is only worth doing when it makes later treatment simpler, or prevents a problem getting worse. We will tell you plainly which of those applies to your child.
What problems benefit from early treatment?
Things like crossbites, a narrow upper jaw, front teeth that stick out, baby teeth that will not come out on their own, missing teeth, and habits such as thumb sucking. Catching these early can guide growth and make any later treatment shorter.
Will my child need braces twice?
Most children do not need braces twice. Many children only ever need one round of treatment. Where a short early phase is worthwhile, a second phase later is sometimes needed once all the adult teeth are through, but we only recommend it when it clearly helps.
How much does children's orthodontic treatment cost?
Children's early treatment starts from around $4,500 for a single early phase, and the total depends on what, if anything, is needed. Where only a short early phase is needed and a second phase is genuinely not anticipated, Phase 1 treatment is all that is required. Where both phases are needed, we plan and quote them together from the outset, typically $11,900 to $12,500 combined, so you know the full picture from day one, with a longer interest-free payment plan usually spread over 30 months. Every treatment is quoted individually in writing, and you can see our guide prices on the pricing page.
Do we need a referral from our dentist?
No, you can book a check directly with no referral needed. If your dentist has spotted something and referred you, bring along any notes or x-rays they gave you.
Start with a gentle first check
The easiest first step is a Free Smile Assessment. No referral, no pressure, just a clear picture of how your child's smile is developing.
Book a Free Smile Assessment