Pediatric Orthodontist in Jacksonville Beach, FL

Early orthodontic care at Lazzara Orthodontics sets the foundation for a healthy smile that lasts a lifetime. Our Jacksonville Beach office welcomes children with gentle, age-appropriate care from two board-certified orthodontists, helping every young patient feel comfortable from the first visit.

Choosing the right time to begin orthodontic care for your child shapes the entire trajectory of their smile. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends every child see an orthodontist by age 7, when a mix of baby and permanent teeth gives an orthodontist enough information to identify jaw growth concerns, spacing issues, and bite problems before they become harder to correct.

At Lazzara Orthodontics, Dr. John Lazzara and Dr. Amy Poblenz care for young patients across Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, and Atlantic Beach. Both doctors are Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics, making this one of the only orthodontic practices in northeast Florida with two board-certified orthodontists on staff. Each completed a three-year orthodontic residency program after dental school and bring that advanced training to every child seen at our Jacksonville Beach orthodontist office.

When Should My Child First See an Orthodontist?

A first orthodontic evaluation at age 7 gives the orthodontist a clear window into your child’s growth. At this age, jaws are still developing and the permanent teeth are starting to come in, which means many problems can be guided rather than corrected later. An early visit often results in no immediate treatment, just monitoring as your child grows, and that information alone is valuable.

Several signs suggest your child may benefit from an evaluation sooner rather than later:

Crowded, crooked, or blocked-out teeth
Early or late loss of baby teeth
Difficulty chewing or biting food
Mouth breathing or trouble breathing through the nose
Upper and lower teeth that do not meet properly
Jaws that shift, make sounds, or look uneven
Thumb or finger sucking past age five
Speech impediments tied to tooth or jaw position

If you notice any of these signs, scheduling a consultation gives our team the chance to confirm whether treatment is needed now, later, or not at all.

Pediatric Orthodontic Treatment Options at Our Jacksonville Beach Office

Treatment for children looks different than treatment for teens or adults because we work with growing bones and erupting teeth. We tailor each plan to the child’s age, growth stage, and the specific issue we are addressing.

Common pediatric treatment options include traditional braces in Jacksonville Beach for complex bite or alignment work, ceramic braces for older kids who want a more subtle look, and clear aligners like Invisalign in Jacksonville Beach and Clarity clear aligners for suitable cases. Aligners are worn 18 to 20 hours per day and removed only for eating, brushing, and flossing.

Early Intervention Appliances

For younger children, early treatment often uses appliances rather than full braces. Palatal expanders widen a narrow upper jaw to create room for incoming adult teeth. Partial braces correct a specific group of teeth without committing a child to a full set of brackets. Space maintainers hold the gap open when a baby tooth is lost too early so the adult tooth can come in straight. Habit appliances help children break thumb or finger sucking patterns that affect jaw development.

Looking for Orthodontic Treatment Near Jax Beach?

Schedule your child’s first orthodontic evaluation with our Jacksonville Beach team today.

Making Orthodontics Positive for Children

A child’s first experience in an orthodontic office shapes how they feel about dental care for years to come. Our Jacksonville Beach team takes the time to explain each step in age-appropriate language so children understand what is happening and feel part of the process rather than something being done to them.

Small touches make a meaningful difference. We celebrate treatment milestones, recognize good oral hygiene at appointments, and walk every patient through proper brushing and flossing techniques for braces or aligners. Parents leave with a clear picture of timeline, costs, and what to watch for at home between visits.

Two-Phase Treatment for Children

Pediatric orthodontic care often unfolds in two phases timed to a child’s growth. Not every child needs Phase I treatment, but for those who do, getting started at the right age can shorten or simplify later treatment.

Phase I treatment typically happens between ages 6 and 9, while a child still has many baby teeth. The goal is to guide jaw growth, correct a developing crossbite, create room for incoming permanent teeth, or address habits like thumb sucking that affect the bite. Treatment usually uses a removable or partial appliance rather than a full set of braces and lasts a defined window of months, not years.

Phase II treatment begins once most or all permanent teeth have come in, usually around age 11 to 13. This phase uses braces or clear aligners to finish aligning the teeth and refine the bite. Children who completed Phase I often need less time in Phase II, because much of the underlying jaw or spacing work was already handled.

During an early orthodontic intervention consultation, we evaluate whether your child needs Phase I now, monitoring only, or a single phase of treatment later in adolescence. The American Association of Orthodontists guide to family orthodontic health reinforces that early evaluation gives families the clearest picture of timing, often without immediate treatment.

Choose Lazzara Orthodontics for Your Child's Smile

When choosing a pediatric orthodontist in Jacksonville Beach, the credentials of the doctors caring for your child matter. Dr. John Lazzara earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from LSU School of Dentistry in 1996, then completed a three-year orthodontic residency program at the Center for Advanced Dental Education at St. Louis University, where he also earned his Master of Science degree. Dr. Amy Poblenz earned her DMD from Nova Southeastern University in 2009, completed a craniofacial research fellowship working alongside plastic surgeons on cleft lip and palate cases, and earned her Master of Science degree and specialty certification in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics from Nova Southeastern in 2012.

Both doctors are Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics, a credential that requires additional testing and ongoing review beyond residency. That makes Lazzara Orthodontics one of the only orthodontic practices in northeast Florida with two board-certified orthodontists on staff. We serve families across Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, and Atlantic Beach with virtual consultations available for added flexibility. To schedule an early evaluation for your child, contact our Jacksonville Beach office today.

Meet Your Jacksonville Orthodontists

Visit Our Jax Beach Office

We’re conveniently located in Jacksonville Beach, FL, at 436 Jacksonville Drive, just minutes from the ocean. Enjoy our modern, comfortable office with ample parking available, and easy access from throughout Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, and Neptune Beach for a stress-free orthodontic visit.

FAQs

At what age should my child first see an orthodontist in Jacksonville Beach?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7, even if teeth appear straight. At this age, Beaches Braces can detect developing problems while facial bones are still growing and baby teeth are present. Early evaluation doesn’t mean immediate treatment—only 10-15% of 7-year-olds need intervention. We monitor most children through complimentary growth checks every 6-12 months until the optimal treatment time. Early detection at our Jacksonville Beach office allows us to prevent serious problems, potentially avoiding tooth extractions, surgery, or lengthy treatments later. Schedule your child’s free consultation to ensure their smile develops properly.

What signs indicate my child needs pediatric orthodontic treatment?

Watch for these indicators that your child may benefit from early orthodontic care: difficulty chewing or biting, mouth breathing, thumb sucking past age 5, crowded or misplaced teeth, jaws that shift or make sounds, and teeth that don’t meet properly when biting. At Beaches Braces, we also treat children who lose baby teeth too early or late, have speech difficulties, or bite their cheeks frequently. Protruding front teeth that increase injury risk need prompt attention. Our Jacksonville Beach pediatric orthodontic team specializes in interceptive treatment that guides jaw growth and creates space for permanent teeth, often preventing more complex issues during adolescence.

How long does Phase 1 early orthodontic treatment take?

Phase 1 treatment at Beaches Braces typically lasts 9-18 months, focusing on specific developmental issues rather than comprehensive alignment. This early intervention addresses problems like crossbites, severe crowding, or jaw discrepancies while your child is growing rapidly between ages 7-10. After Phase 1, we provide retainers and monitor development during a “resting period” until all permanent teeth emerge. Most children then need Phase 2 treatment (full braces or aligners) around age 12-14 for 12-24 months. While two-phase treatment sounds lengthy, the total treatment time is often shorter than waiting until all problems compound in the teenage years.