The Importance of Early Intervention Orthodontics
Early orthodontic intervention plays an important role in supporting healthy dental and facial development. As part of our comprehensive approach to children’s dental care, Dr. Jessica Lawson evaluates oral development at an early age to identify concerns such as overcrowding, improper jaw growth, bite imbalances, and developing orthodontic issues before they become more complex.
Early evaluations can also help identify concerns such as crowded teeth, spacing issues, crossbites, overbites, underbites, and improper eruption patterns. Addressing these concerns during growth and development often creates opportunities for more conservative treatment and improved long-term outcomes.
Families from Urbandale, West Des Moines, Waukee, Johnston, Clive, and surrounding communities often seek early orthodontic evaluations to better understand how their child’s teeth, jaws, and airway are developing. By taking a proactive approach, we can help support proper function, balanced growth, and a strong foundation for lifelong oral health.
HealthyStart System
Many parents first learn about HealthyStart because their child snores, breathes through their mouth, experiences restless sleep, struggles with daytime focus, or has been told they may need orthodontic treatment in the future. These concerns are often connected to how the teeth, jaws, tongue, and airway develop during childhood.
The HealthyStart System is designed to support healthy growth and development by addressing factors that may contribute to airway and sleep-related concerns. Rather than focusing solely on tooth alignment, HealthyStart works with a child’s natural growth patterns to encourage proper jaw development, healthier breathing, and improved oral function.
Using a series of soft, comfortable appliances, HealthyStart helps address habits such as mouth breathing, tongue thrusting, and improper tongue posture while creating space for teeth to erupt more naturally. As a result, many children experience improved sleep quality, healthier breathing habits, better daytime focus, and more balanced oral development.
While HealthyStart may help reduce symptoms associated with mild sleep-disordered breathing, it is not intended to replace medical treatment when more significant airway concerns are present. When appropriate, Dr. Lawson works closely with pediatricians, sleep physicians, and other healthcare providers to help ensure children receive comprehensive care.
By working with a child’s natural development, HealthyStart can help support better breathing, improved sleep quality, and a stronger foundation for long-term orthodontic health.
Myobrace: A No-Braces Approach to Teeth Straightening
The Myobrace System is designed to help guide healthy dental and facial development during childhood. Unlike traditional orthodontic treatment, which focuses primarily on moving teeth into alignment, Myobrace addresses many of the underlying habits and developmental factors that can contribute to crowded teeth, bite problems, and jaw misalignment.
Myobrace places a strong emphasis on helping children develop proper oral habits and muscle function during critical stages of growth. By encouraging healthy tongue posture, swallowing patterns, and breathing habits, the system helps create an environment where teeth and jaws can develop more naturally.
Using a series of soft, removable appliances, Myobrace supports natural jaw development while reinforcing healthier breathing, swallowing, and tongue posture patterns. These improvements can help create a more favorable environment for erupting teeth and balanced facial growth.
Many parents explore Myobrace when they notice concerns such as crowded teeth, improper tongue posture, mouth breathing, or early signs of orthodontic problems. Because treatment focuses on growth and function in addition to tooth alignment, children often experience benefits that extend beyond their smiles.
By addressing potential concerns during development, Myobrace can help support long-term oral health and may reduce the need for more extensive orthodontic treatment later in life.
Comprehensive Orthodontic Solutions for Children
Every child develops differently, which is why orthodontic treatment should never be one-size-fits-all. At Lawson Dentistry, we evaluate not only the position of the teeth, but also how the jaws, airway, tongue, and oral habits may be influencing a child’s growth and development.
Our goal is to identify potential concerns early and guide healthy development whenever possible. Depending on your child’s needs, treatment may include growth-guided orthodontic appliances, habit-correction therapy, airway-focused care, or more traditional orthodontic solutions.
By taking a comprehensive approach to orthodontic care, we can help support proper jaw development, healthy breathing patterns, improved oral function, and long-term smile stability. Because many orthodontic concerns begin during childhood growth and development, early intervention often creates opportunities for more conservative treatment and improved long-term outcomes.
Why Families Choose Lawson Dentistry
Families throughout the Greater Des Moines area choose Lawson Dentistry because Dr. Jessica Lawson takes a comprehensive approach to children’s oral development. Rather than focusing solely on straightening teeth, she evaluates how a child’s teeth, jaws, airway, and oral habits may be affecting their overall growth, function, and long-term health.
Dr. Lawson’s training in comprehensive dentistry and airway-focused care allows her to identify concerns early and recommend treatment solutions that encourage proper growth, healthy function, and long-term stability. Her goal is to help children develop healthy smiles while supporting the foundations of lifelong oral health.
Our practice combines advanced technology, personalized care, and a welcoming environment where children feel comfortable and parents feel informed. From early orthodontic evaluations and airway assessments to growth-guided treatment options such as HealthyStart and Myobrace, we’re committed to helping children build a strong foundation for healthy smiles and long-term wellness.
Schedule Your Child’s Orthodontic Evaluation
Every child deserves the opportunity to grow, develop, and smile with confidence. At Lawson Dentistry, Dr. Jessica Lawson provides comprehensive orthodontic evaluations designed to identify concerns early and support healthy jaw, airway, and dental development. Whether your child may benefit from HealthyStart, Myobrace, or another growth-focused treatment approach, our team is here to help you understand your options and make informed decisions about their care.
Lawson Dentistry proudly serves families from Urbandale, West Des Moines, Waukee, Johnston, Clive, Polk County, Dallas County, and communities throughout the Greater Des Moines area. Call (515) 278-4366 today to schedule your child’s orthodontic consultation.
