How do I find an orthodontist near me for my child? The short answer: the general guideline for your child's first orthodontic check-up is around age 7, when the first permanent teeth and the relationship between the jaws become visible. An orthodontist (orthodontic specialist) is a doctor who follows tooth and jaw development and, when needed, steps in at the right time or simply keeps watching. A first check-up does not always mean treatment; for most children the goal is to be able to say, 'nothing needs to be done now, let's look again on this date.' This page explains what to look for when searching for a children's orthodontist in Ankara, how the first examination goes and how to prepare your child.
This information is general; the decision for you is made after an examination.
When should my child see an orthodontist?
The widely accepted recommendation is to have the first orthodontic assessment at around age 7. The reason is that by this age the first upper and lower permanent molars and the front incisors have come in, and the bite (the way the upper and lower teeth meet) can be evaluated. This does not mean treatment will start at age 7. For many children the outcome is 'monitoring' and a check-up interval is set.
You can also consult an orthodontist before age 7 in the following situations:
- Baby teeth falling out very early or very late
- Difficulty chewing or biting, sleeping with the mouth open, constant mouth breathing
- Thumb sucking or pacifier use continuing after age 4–5
- A marked mismatch between the upper and lower jaws, or the jaw shifting to one side
- Teeth that look severely crowded, or teeth that have no room to come in
- A tooth or jaw injury after a fall or blow (in an emergency, go to the hospital/emergency department first)
You can read about when early intervention makes sense on the early orthodontic treatment page, and about the general framework of treatment in children in the article orthodontics in children: when to start.
What is the difference between a children's orthodontist and a dentist?
A pediatric dentist (pedodontist) looks after the health of baby and permanent teeth: cavities, fillings, preventive care. An orthodontist evaluates the position of the teeth and jaws, the bite and the direction of growth. The two complement each other: if your child needs a baby tooth extracted or a cavity treated, the orthodontist looks at it in terms of space maintenance and the eruption plan. 'Children's orthodontist' is not a formal title; what matters is that the doctor has completed specialty training in orthodontics. For more sample questions, see the orthodontist near me page.
How does a children's orthodontic examination go?
The first examination for children is usually kept calm and short. The typical flow is as follows:
- Introduction and conversation: The doctor talks first with the child, then with the parent. Habits such as thumb sucking, snoring, mouth breathing and clenching the teeth are asked about.
- Intraoral and facial examination: The number of teeth, the order in which they erupt, the bite, and the relationship of the jaw and lips are assessed by eye.
- Imaging if needed: Methods such as a panoramic X-ray or a digital scan are requested only when the doctor considers them necessary. Not every child gets every image.
- Result and plan: The doctor explains which of the options 'monitoring for now', 'check again at a certain age' or 'early treatment plan' is appropriate.
Before the visit you can look at the orthodontic examination question list and note down what you want to ask.
How do I prepare my child for the first orthodontic appointment?
- Book the appointment for a time when your child is not tired or hungry; after school or the weekend is easy for most families.
- Use honest, simple language such as 'we'll look at your teeth and count them, and we'll show you first what we're doing' instead of firm promises like 'it won't hurt at all.'
- Bring any previous dental X-rays, notes from a pediatric dentist if you have them, and information about medications or allergies.
- Write down your observations in advance: thumb sucking, pacifier use, snoring, nasal congestion.
- Let your child ask questions; allow them to ask about whatever they are curious about during the exam.
What treatments might come up for children?
Which treatment is suitable depends on age, tooth development and the type of problem. The table below offers only a general framework.
| Situation | Possible approach (general) | When is it checked? |
|---|---|---|
| Crowding not yet clear, baby teeth are falling out | Monitoring development, a space maintainer if needed | Monitoring every 6–12 months |
| A narrow upper jaw, crossbite | Methods such as an expansion appliance may be considered | When detected, during the growth period |
| Mismatch between the upper and lower jaws | A functional appliance or similar methods may be considered | During the period when growth speeds up |
| Crowding and protruding front teeth in the mixed dentition | Clear aligner options such as Invisalign First may come up for some children | According to the doctor's assessment |
| All permanent teeth have come in, adolescence | Options such as fixed braces or Invisalign Teen are considered | After the permanent dentition is complete |
For jaw expansion and space maintainers, see the jaw expansion treatment and space maintainer pages.
When do Invisalign First and Invisalign Teen come up for children?
Invisalign First is a removable clear aligner system that may be considered for some children in the mixed dentition period (when baby and permanent teeth are present together). Invisalign Teen is designed for teenagers whose permanent teeth have come in. It may not be suitable for every child: the aligners must be worn about 20–22 hours a day, and parental follow-up is needed. In skeletal problems such as bone growth, aligners alone may not be enough; in that case an appliance or fixed braces may come up. The decision is made at the examination according to the child's age, cooperation and tooth structure. For details, see Invisalign First for children, Invisalign for teens and at what age clear aligners; for general information, see the article on clear aligner treatment in children.
Parent checklist: choosing a kids orthodontist near me
- Is the doctor a specialist orthodontist? Do not hesitate to ask.
- Do they communicate directly with the child and explain things at the child's age level?
- Instead of recommending treatment to every child, do they also clearly offer the option of 'monitoring'?
- If treatment is recommended, are the reason, alternatives, duration and check-up frequency explained in writing or clearly?
- Do the appointment hours fit your school routine? Is there a weekend option?
- Is access and parking easy for you? This matters because regular check-ups will be needed.
- Are the fee and payment terms communicated in writing after the examination and planning?
How can you fit the appointment around school?
Orthodontic check-ups are usually held every few weeks or every few months; to keep your child from missing school often, you can prefer evening hours or Saturday. If you have siblings, asking for back-to-back appointments on the same day is often possible; mention it when booking. For opening hours, see the evening and weekend orthodontist page.
Children's examinations at Funda Sarıkaya Oral and Dental Health Polyclinic
The clinic is located in Oran, Çankaya, at Park Oran Ofis, Dükkan No:70, Kudüs Cd.; it is next to Panora Mall and across from One Tower Mall. Orthodontic examinations for children and teens are carried out by Funda Pekyılmaz Sarıkaya, specialist orthodontist (Uzm. Dt.); the Invisalign system is used at the clinic. Service languages are Turkish, English, German and Russian. The clinic is open Monday–Saturday, 09:00–20:00, and closed on Sunday. Since travel time varies with traffic, it is enough to type 'Park Oran Ofis' into your navigation; for general information across Ankara, see the Ankara clear aligners page. You can call 0312 911 60 36 or write on WhatsApp to book; contact details are on the contact page.