Orthodontics for Children & Teens
Orthodontic care for children and teens is about more than straight teeth — it’s about guiding healthy growth, improving how the bite works, and creating the best conditions for long-term oral health.
Because the jaws and face are still developing, this stage offers a unique opportunity to identify issues early, support balanced development, and plan treatment at the moment it will be most effective and comfortable.
Our principle is simple: not too early, not too late — but at the right moment. We never recommend treatment before it is genuinely needed.
We typically begin with an orthodontic assessment from around age 7, when the first permanent teeth start to appear and bite patterns become clearer. During this visit, we evaluate tooth alignment, jaw growth, spacing and crowding, airway and habit-related factors (such as thumb-sucking), and how the upper and lower teeth fit together.
In many cases, no immediate treatment is needed — simply monitoring growth at the right intervals can be the best approach, ensuring any future treatment is timed well and kept as efficient as possible.
Treatments
Tooth alignment and movement
Removable Appliance Systems
Fixed Braces
Orthodontic care for children and teens is about more than straight teeth — it’s about guiding healthy growth, improving how the bite works, and creating the best conditions for long-term oral health.
Because the jaws and face are still developing, this stage offers a unique opportunity to identify issues early, support balanced development, and plan treatment at the moment it will be most effective and comfortable.
A reliable choice during the years that matter most
- Precise, consistent tooth movement — well suited to growing jaws and changing bite patterns
- Effective for a wide range of alignment and bite issues common in children and teens
- Works continuously throughout the growth phase, supporting treatment timing and efficiency
- Regular check-ups allow us to monitor progress and adapt the plan as your child grows
Clear aligners
For teenagers who are self-conscious about their appearance, clear aligners offer an effective and nearly invisible way to straighten teeth — without brackets or wires.
Aligners are custom-made, removable trays that gently guide teeth into position. They fit naturally into a teenager’s daily life — at school, during sport, and in social situations — while delivering precise, planned results.
A discreet option for confident teens
- Nearly invisible — no brackets or wires on show
- Removable for eating, brushing, and special occasions
- Suitable for a range of alignment corrections during the teenage years
- Treatment progress is digitally planned and monitored at every stage
Jaw growth guidance
During childhood and early adolescence, the jaws are still actively growing — and this is the window when guided intervention can make the greatest difference. Jaw growth guidance uses removable appliances to influence how the upper and lower jaws develop, helping to create the right conditions for permanent teeth to erupt and the bite to form correctly.
When addressed at the right time, jaw imbalances that would otherwise require complex treatment later can often be corrected more simply and with lasting results. This is one of the key reasons early orthodontic assessment matters.
Shaping development before it becomes a problem
- Guides jaw growth during the most responsive phase of development
- Can reduce the need for more complex treatment in later years
- Addresses crossbites, underbites, and jaw asymmetries early
- Treatment is planned around the child’s individual growth pattern and timing
Expansion appliances
When a child’s jaw is too narrow to accommodate the permanent teeth comfortably, expansion appliances can gently widen the arch — creating the space needed for teeth to erupt in the correct position and the bite to develop well.
Expansion is most effective during childhood and early adolescence, when the palatal suture is still open and responsive to gentle, controlled pressure. Addressing narrowness at this stage can often prevent more significant crowding or bite problems from developing later.
Creating space at the right moment
- Widens a narrow upper or lower jaw to improve arch form and spacing
- Reduces crowding and supports healthier tooth eruption
- Most effective during active growth — timing is carefully planned
- Can reduce the need for extractions or more complex treatment later
Bite and jaw development monitoring
Not every child needs immediate treatment — but every child benefits from being monitored. Bite and jaw development monitoring means we track how the teeth are erupting, how the jaws are growing, and how the bite is forming over time, so that if and when intervention is needed, it happens at exactly the right moment.
Regular check-ups allow us to catch subtle changes early, avoid unnecessary treatment, and ensure that when the time for active orthodontics comes, the foundation is already well understood and planned.
Staying ahead of problems before they develop
- Tracks tooth eruption, jaw growth, and bite development over time
- Identifies issues early — before they become more complex to treat
- Avoids unnecessary or premature treatment
- Ensures active treatment begins at the most effective moment
Team of Experts
Our team brings together specialist orthodontic expertise, preventive dental care, and a shared commitment to personalised treatment. Every member of the Vunder Orthodontics team is dedicated to making your experience — and your results — the best they can be.
I want our patients to feel that they are in expert hands and genuinely at ease.
Head orthodontist
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age should my child have their first orthodontic examination?
The Swiss Society of Orthodontics recommends a first orthodontic check-up from around the age of 7 to 8 years. By this age, the first permanent teeth have erupted and tooth and jaw development can be reliably assessed. Many misalignments can be corrected preventively during this active growth phase, without later surgery.
What are the benefits of early orthodontic treatment?
Early treatment can correct crossbites, severe crowding, sucking habits or skeletal asymmetries while jaw growth is still active. In many cases this avoids more extensive treatments or combined surgical procedures later on. The goal is not an early “full” brace but a targeted use of the right growth phase.
Why is puberty a particularly good time for braces?
In the growth phase between approximately 10 and 14 years, bite relationships and skeletal discrepancies can be influenced especially effectively, as the jaw is still actively growing. Fixed appliances integrate optimally with natural growth, which reduces treatment time and effort. With the right indication, this produces a stable, long-term correction.
Which types of braces are suitable for children and teenagers?
All modern appliances are available to teenagers: fixed metal or ceramic brackets, transparent aligners and, in suitable cases, lingual systems. For younger children with mixed dentition, removable braces or functional orthodontic devices are often used to create space and guide jaw growth. Which method is appropriate is determined after digital diagnostics, jointly with parents and child.
When are removable braces used?
Removable braces are mainly used in children with mixed dentition to create space, guide jaw growth or address habits such as thumb sucking. They are typically worn at night and for several hours during the day, and often serve as preparation for a later fixed appliance. Treatment success depends directly on consistent wear time.
How long does orthodontic treatment for children and teenagers take?
Treatment duration depends on the severity of the misalignment and the chosen appliance and typically ranges between 18 and 30 months. A preceding early treatment phase in children usually takes 12 to 18 months, followed by a monitoring period before the main treatment. A precise estimate is provided after digital treatment planning with a 3D scan.
My child plays sports or a wind instrument - can they still have braces?
Yes – sporting activity and playing a wind instrument are generally compatible with any type of brace. For contact sports we recommend a custom-fitted mouthguard worn over the brace. When playing wind instruments, there may be a brief adjustment phase, but lasting limitations are rare.
How does my child brush their teeth with a fixed brace?
A particularly thorough oral hygiene routine is essential with a fixed brace, as plaque accumulates easily between brackets and wires. We recommend an electric toothbrush or a specialised orthodontic manual toothbrush, interdental brushes for the gaps and a fluoride toothpaste. At VUNDER ORTHODONTICS your child receives personalised brushing technique coaching at the start of treatment.
Will my health insurance cover treatment for children?
Mandatory basic health insurance (Grundversicherung) does not cover orthodontic treatment for children as a rule. Some supplementary dental insurance policies (Zahnzusatzversicherung) contribute depending on the contract and severity, and in cases of serious congenital conditions the Swiss Disability Insurance (IV) may cover treatment. We help you assess your individual insurance coverage and prepare the necessary reports.
What happens after the braces are removed?
After removal comes the retention phase: a retainer – either a thin wire bonded behind the front teeth or a splint worn at night – permanently stabilises the result. Without a retainer, the teeth can shift slightly over the years. In addition, a professional dental hygiene session takes place so that the outcome remains stable in the long term.
What is a 3D scan and what is it used for?
A digital 3D scan captures the teeth and jaws with an intraoral scanner camera, replacing the classic plaster impression. The scan is fast, comfortable, precise and allows the entire treatment to be planned digitally on screen. On this basis we can show you and your child the anticipated final result using Smile Design software, even before treatment begins.
How frequent are the check-up appointments?
With fixed appliances, check-up appointments are typically scheduled every 4 to 8 weeks; with aligner treatment, every 8 to 12 weeks. The specific rhythm depends on the treatment phase and your child’s individual response to therapy. Appointments are planned well in advance to fit around school and family calendars.