Children’s Orthodontics Urbandale

The Importance of Early Intervention Orthodontics

Early orthodontic care can support 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. This allows her to find concerns before they become more difficult to treat.

An early evaluation may identify:

• Crowded teeth or spacing problems
• Uneven jaw growth
• Crossbites, overbites, or underbites
• Teeth that are not coming in properly
• Other developing orthodontic concerns

Addressing these problems while a child is still growing may allow for simpler treatment. It can also support better long-term results.

Families from Urbandale, West Des Moines, Waukee, Johnston, Clive, and surrounding communities seek early orthodontic evaluations to understand how their child’s teeth, jaws, and airway are developing. Early care can support proper function, balanced growth, and lifelong oral health.

HealthyStart System

Parents may consider HealthyStart if their child:

• Snores or breathes through their mouth
• Has restless sleep
• Struggles to focus during the day
• May need future orthodontic treatment

These concerns may be related to how the teeth, jaws, tongue, and airway develop during childhood.

The HealthyStart System uses a series of soft, comfortable appliances. Instead of focusing only on tooth alignment, it works with a child’s natural growth. Treatment may support jaw development, breathing, and oral function.

HealthyStart may also help correct habits that affect oral development, including:

• Mouth breathing
• Tongue thrusting
• Poor tongue posture
• Improper tooth eruption

As these concerns improve, children may sleep better, develop better breathing habits, and find it easier to focus during the day. Treatment may also create more room for incoming teeth.

HealthyStart may reduce symptoms related to mild sleep-disordered breathing. However, it does not replace medical care for more serious airway concerns. When needed, Dr. Lawson works with pediatricians, sleep physicians, and other healthcare providers to coordinate a child’s care.

By supporting natural growth, HealthyStart can help build a stronger foundation for breathing, sleep, and long-term orthodontic health.

Myobrace: A No-Braces Approach to Teeth Straightening

The Myobrace System helps guide dental and facial development during childhood. Traditional orthodontic treatment mainly focuses on moving teeth into alignment. Myobrace also addresses habits that may contribute to crowded teeth, bite problems, and uneven jaw growth.

The system helps children improve important oral habits during key stages of growth. These include:

• Tongue position
• Swallowing patterns
• Breathing habits
• Oral muscle function

Myobrace uses a series of soft, removable appliances. These appliances support natural jaw development and reinforce better oral habits. This may create more room for incoming teeth and support balanced facial growth.

Parents may explore Myobrace if their child has:

• Crowded teeth
• Poor tongue posture
• Mouth breathing
• Early signs of bite or alignment problems

Because Myobrace focuses on growth, function, and tooth alignment, its benefits may extend beyond the appearance of a child’s smile. Early treatment can support long-term oral health. It may also reduce the need for more involved orthodontic treatment later.

Comprehensive Orthodontic Solutions for Children

Every child develops differently. Therefore, orthodontic treatment should be based on each child’s needs. At Lawson Dentistry, we evaluate more than the position of the teeth. We also look at the jaws, airway, tongue, and oral habits that may affect growth.

Our goal is to identify concerns early and guide healthy development when possible. Depending on your child’s needs, treatment may include:

• Growth-guided orthodontic appliances
• Habit-correction therapy
• Airway-focused care
• Traditional orthodontic treatment

This approach may support jaw development, breathing, oral function, and long-term smile stability. Early care may also allow for simpler treatment as your child grows.

Why Families Choose Lawson Dentistry

Families throughout the Greater Des Moines area turn to Lawson Dentistry for children’s orthodontic care. Dr. Jessica Lawson evaluates how the teeth, jaws, airway, and oral habits work together. This allows her to look beyond straightening teeth and consider a child’s growth and oral function.

Her training in comprehensive dentistry and airway-focused care helps her identify concerns early. She can then recommend treatment that supports healthy growth, proper function, and lasting results.

Our office offers:

• Advanced dental technology
• Care based on each child’s needs
• A welcoming environment for children
• Clear guidance for parents
• HealthyStart and Myobrace treatment options

From early orthodontic evaluations to airway assessments and growth-guided care, our team helps children build a strong foundation for lifelong oral health.