NIKAEEN PEDIATRIC ORTHODONTIST IN LOS ANGELES

Where Your Child's Smile Shines Bright

At Nikaeen Orthodontics, we understand that every child deserves a beautiful, healthy smile that lasts a lifetime. Dr. Atoosa Nikaeen specializes in pediatric orthodontics, dentofacial orthopedics, and providing exceptional care for children. 

Early Treatment Los Angeles

Our mission is simple: to ensure your child’s dental and facial development is off to the best possible start. We believe in addressing dental and skeletal issues early, which can often prevent costly and risky surgeries down the road, eliminate unhealthy habits, and set the stage for a lifetime of confident smiles.

Additionally, orthodontic interventions can play a crucial role in addressing pediatric sleep apnea, a disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. By correcting the underlying issues that cause sleep apnea, Dr. Nikaeen can promote better oxygen flow and ultimately enhance the child’s quality of sleep and overall health.

Why Choose a Pediatric Orthodontist?

Dr Nikaeen’s holistic approach to Pediatric orthodontics assures that your child grows into his/her best potential

The primary goal of orthodontics is to achieve a harmonious and functional bite where the teeth are aligned correctly and the jaws are well-positioned. This specialty is particularly essential for children’s developmental stages when their teeth and facial structures are actively changing.

Common Orthodontic Issues in Children

Children may experience a variety of orthodontic issues that require specialized care. Some common concerns include:

  • Overcrowding: When there’s insufficient space in the jaw for teeth to align correctly, overcrowding can occur, leading to misalignment.
  • Spacing Problems: Gaps or irregular spacing between teeth can affect both appearance and function.
  • Overbites: In an overbite, the upper front teeth overlap excessively with the lower front teeth, potentially causing discomfort and aesthetic concerns.
  • Underbites: An underbite is when the lower front teeth extend beyond the upper front teeth, impacting bite function.
  • Crossbites: Crossbites involve the misalignment of upper and lower teeth when the jaw is closed, leading to bite problems.
  • Open Bites: In an open bite, the upper and lower front teeth do not meet when the mouth is closed, affecting speech and chewing.
  • Misaligned Teeth: Teeth that are not in their correct positions can lead to aesthetic concerns, difficulty in cleaning, and potential oral health issues.
  • Thumb-Sucking, Tongue Thrusting Tongue Ties, and Speech Issues: Oral habits like thumb-sucking and tongue thrusting can impact dental and facial development.
  • Impacted Teeth: Teeth that do not emerge properly or get blocked by other teeth may require intervention.

How Orthodontics Works for Kids

Pediatric Orthodontic Treatments for Various Issues

Our pediatric orthodontist Los Angeles team offers a range of specialized orthodontic treatments tailored to address a variety of dental and orthodontic issues that children may face during their developmental years. These treatments are designed to promote proper alignment, optimal oral health, and a confident smile for your child.
Traditional metal braces are highly effective for correcting a wide range of alignment issues, including overcrowding, spacing, overbites, underbites, and crossbites. They utilize brackets and wires to gently guide teeth into their proper positions over time.
Clear aligners, like Invisalign for teens, offer a more discreet option for older children and teenagers. They are removable and virtually invisible, making them an appealing choice for those who prefer a less conspicuous orthodontic treatment.
Functional appliances are often used to correct bite problems and encourage proper jaw growth. They are especially helpful in addressing issues like overbites and underbites by guiding the jaw into a more harmonious position.
Palatal expanders are devices used to widen the upper jaw in cases of dental crowding or a narrow palate. This treatment creates more space for teeth to align correctly, preventing future complications.
Space maintainers are used to hold the space for permanent teeth when primary teeth are lost prematurely. This prevents adjacent teeth from shifting and ensures that permanent teeth have adequate room to emerge properly.
After the active phase of orthodontic treatment, retainers are essential to maintain the results achieved. They help ensure that teeth remain in their corrected positions and prevent relapse.
Each of these options is carefully selected and customized to address your child’s specific needs. Dr. Atoosa Nikaeen’s expertise allows her to create a personalized treatment plan that considers the child’s age, growth stage, and the nature of their orthodontic issues.

Two-Phase Orthodontic Treatment for Children

At Nikaeen Orthodontics, we offer a comprehensive approach known as two-phase orthodontic treatment for children who may benefit from early intervention. This approach involves two distinct phases:
Phase One (Early Treatment)
Phase One begins during childhood, usually between the ages of 7 and 10. Its primary focus is on addressing specific orthodontic issues, such as bite problems, overcrowding, or significant misalignment. Early treatment aims to create the optimal conditions for the permanent teeth to erupt correctly and ensure proper jaw development.
Phase Two (Comprehensive Treatment)
Phase Two follows after the eruption of most or all permanent teeth, typically around the early teenage years. This phase fine-tunes the alignment of teeth and ensures a harmonious bite. It often involves the use of braces or other appliances to achieve the desired final results.
Two-phase orthodontic Treatment allows us to intercept and correct orthodontic issues early, potentially avoiding more extensive and invasive treatments in the future. It’s a proactive approach to ensuring your child’s smile is both beautiful and functional.

DOES YOUR CHILD NEED AN ORTHODONTIST?

Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Nikaeen today! As a trusted pediatric orthodontist in Los Angeles, she takes a holistic approach with every young patient, not only improving their smile but also optimizing their airways for better health and well-being.