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Children’s orthodontics · Wandsworth

Orthodontics for children and teenagers

A good part of Dr Henry Wong’s week is spent with children and teenagers. As a Specialist Orthodontist who also worked in hospital paediatric dentistry, he is used to nervous first visits, packed school timetables and parents who want clear answers.

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Seen by

Dr Henry Wong, Specialist Orthodontist

First check

From around age seven

Most treatment

Between about 11 and 14

Where

Moments from Wandsworth Common station

When should a child first see an orthodontist?

There is no need to wait until every adult tooth has arrived. A first look once the adult front teeth and first molars are through, usually somewhere between seven and nine, lets us see how the jaws are growing and whether there will be room for the teeth still to come.

For most children the advice is simply to keep watching. For a few, acting early can make later treatment shorter or simpler. Most brace treatment then takes place between about 11 and 14, once the last baby teeth have gone and growth is still on our side.

Worth having checked

  • Crowded or overlapping teeth
  • Front teeth that sit well ahead of the lower teeth
  • A lower jaw that looks further forward or back than you would expect
  • Teeth that bite the wrong way round or do not meet
  • Baby teeth lost very early, or still in place very late
  • Thumb or finger sucking that continues past the age of seven
  • Difficulty biting or chewing

What it can involve

The right help at the right age

Watching and waiting

Often nothing needs doing yet. We review growth every six to twelve months and tell you plainly if that changes.

Early treatment

Simple appliances that make space or correct a crossbite while a child is still growing, for the minority who benefit from them.

Fixed braces

The most common choice for teenagers. Metal or tooth-coloured brackets, fitted and adjusted by Henry. More about braces.

Invisalign® treatment for teenagers

Clear aligners can suit teenagers who will wear them as instructed. More about Invisalign treatment.

For families

Made to fit around family life

A gentle first visit

No treatment on day one. Time to meet Henry, look around and ask whatever you and your child want to ask.

Before the school bell

We open at 8:30am Monday to Thursday and 8am on Fridays, and adjustment visits are short.

Shown, not just told

Scans and photographs go up on the surgery screen, so children can see what we see and why it matters.

Parents kept informed

A written plan with timings and costs before anything starts, and an honest update at every stage.

A teenager smiling while wearing Invisalign® clear aligners

Guide fees

These are starting points. You will have exact costs in writing before treatment begins, and finance is available to spread them.

Bellevue Dental is a private practice. We welcome families with private dental insurance; please check what your policy covers for orthodontics. The full list is on our fees page.

Consultation with Specialist Orthodontist£150
Fixed bracesfrom £3,500
Damon bracesfrom £4,000
Invisalign treatmentfrom £4,500

Questions parents ask

At what age should my child first see an orthodontist?+

A first check between about seven and nine is sensible, once the adult front teeth and first molars are through. Most children will not need treatment at that age, but it shows how the jaws are developing and whether anything is worth acting on early.

Does my child need a referral?+

No. Parents can book an orthodontic consultation directly, whether or not the family is registered with Bellevue Dental. If your child has their own dentist, we are happy to keep them informed.

Do braces hurt?+

Teeth usually feel tender for a few days after braces are fitted and after each adjustment. It settles quickly, and softer food helps in the meantime.

Can my child still play sport or a musical instrument?+

Yes. For contact sports we recommend a mouthguard made to fit over the braces. Wind and brass players generally adapt within a couple of weeks.

How often are appointments during treatment?+

Usually every six to ten weeks, and most visits are short. We do our best to offer times that avoid lessons.

Is children’s orthodontic treatment at Bellevue Dental private?+

Yes. Bellevue Dental is a private practice. Guide fees are on our fees page, finance is available, and we welcome families with private dental insurance.

Book a visit

Come in and talk it through.

A first conversation is the easiest way to find out what is possible. Book online, send us a WhatsApp or call, and we will find a time that suits you.

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Phone020 8673 9995
WhatsApp+44 7375 353160
Find us7 Jaggard Way, Wandsworth Common, SW12 8SG
OpenMon to Thu 8:30am to 5:30pm, Fri 8am to 3:30pm