Skip to content 
At Rice Orthodontics, we believe that every child deserves a confident, healthy smile. With years of experience working with young patients, Dr. Shawn Rice and his team are proud to be a trusted orthodontist for kids in Paducah, KY. We are dedicated to creating positive, kid-friendly experiences that set the foundation for a lifetime of good oral health.
We strive to make every visit to our clinic welcoming and stress-free for both children and their parents. With advanced orthodontic treatments and a compassionate approach, we help families take the first step toward giving their child a healthy, beautiful smile that will last a lifetime.
When to Schedule Your Child’s First Orthodontic Evaluation
If you’re wondering when to bring your child to see an orthodontist, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends scheduling their first visit by the age of 7. At this age, their teeth and jaw are still developing, making it the ideal time to identify any potential orthodontic issues.
During this early evaluation, Dr. Rice can assess whether your child has emerging problems such as crowding, bite misalignment, or jaw irregularities. Even if treatment isn’t immediately needed, these visits allow us to create a personalized plan to monitor your child’s growth and determine the optimal time to begin any necessary orthodontic care.
Scheduling an early orthodontic evaluation with a trusted orthodontist for kids in Paducah, KY, is a proactive step in ensuring your child’s oral health and guiding them toward a confident smile.
Orthodontic Options for Kids
At Rice Orthodontics, we offer a range of orthodontic treatments specially designed for children. Each option is carefully tailored to meet the unique needs of our young patients, ensuring their comfort and effective results.
One of the most common solutions for kids is traditional metal braces, which are durable and highly effective for correcting alignment and bite issues. For children who need additional assistance with jaw or tooth development, we may recommend space maintainers or other early intervention appliances to guide their teeth into optimal positions.
Dr. Rice and his team use advanced orthodontic technology to ensure that every treatment fits seamlessly into your child’s growth timeline. We also take care to make the experience enjoyable, keeping kids engaged and making them feel valued every step of the way. At Rice Orthodontics, we’re passionate about helping children develop healthy smiles and positive attitudes toward their orthodontic care.
The Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment
Early orthodontic treatment provides numerous benefits that can significantly influence your child’s oral health for years to come. By addressing problems like crowding, bite misalignments, or jaw irregularities at a young age, we can prevent these issues from worsening over time. This proactive approach often reduces the need for more extensive treatment later in adolescence or adulthood.
Additionally, early treatment can guide the proper alignment of permanent teeth and support healthy jaw growth. This helps ensure that your child’s smile develops naturally and reduces the risk of complex dental issues in the future. Parents who invest in early orthodontic care often see not only long-term health benefits but also a boost in their child’s confidence as they grow into their new, improved smile.
