A kids orthodontist does more than straighten teeth. At TG Orthodontics, Dr. Tara Gostovich guides your child’s jaw growth and bite at the right moment, often with gentle steps that make later treatment simpler and shorter.
Whether you’re weighing braces for kids or clear aligners, your child’s first visit is complimentary. Call (732) 617-1211 or request a time that works for your family.
When should your child first see a kids orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first evaluation by age 7. By then, an orthodontist can spot developing issues with jaw growth, bite, and space while baby and adult teeth are still mixed.
An evaluation doesn’t mean treatment starts right away. Many children simply need monitoring, with periodic check-ins as new teeth arrive.
What happens at your child’s first visit?
We keep the first appointment relaxed. After a gentle exam and a quick iTero scan, your child can see their own teeth in 3D on the screen, which tends to turn nerves into curiosity.
Then we sit down with you to explain what we found, whether anything needs attention now, and what to watch as your child grows. You’ll leave with a clear recommendation, even if it’s simply “let’s check again later.”
Choosing a kids orthodontist early means a specialist is tracking growth, rather than discovering a problem once it’s harder to fix.
What signs should parents watch for?
- ✓Crowded, crooked, or widely spaced teeth
- ✓An overbite, underbite, or crossbite
- ✓Baby teeth lost much earlier or later than usual
- ✓Difficulty chewing or biting
- ✓Frequent mouth breathing
- ✓Thumb or finger sucking past the toddler years
- ✓Speech issues linked to tooth or jaw position
If any of these sound familiar, a visit with a kids orthodontist gives you clear answers before small issues grow into bigger ones.
What is the best age for braces?
There isn’t one perfect birthday. The best age for braces depends on your child’s growth, bite, and which teeth have come in, which is exactly why an early evaluation matters.
Some children benefit from a short Phase 1 around ages 6 to 10. Others do better waiting until most permanent teeth arrive, usually in the preteen or teen years.
How does early treatment help?
Phase 1, or early orthodontic treatment, works with the fact that a young jaw is still growing. A kids orthodontist can use that window to:
- Guide jaw growth toward a healthier bite
- Make space for incoming permanent teeth
- Reduce the chance of extractions later
- Shorten or simplify a second phase of treatment
When the upper jaw is narrow, a removable Invisalign Palatal Expander can create room without keys or screws.
Which options does our kids orthodontist offer?
LightForce braces for kids
Our braces for kids use LightForce brackets, 3D-printed in translucent ceramic from a digital scan of each tooth. The custom fit means fewer adjustments and a look that’s far more subtle than metal.
Invisalign for kids: Invisalign First
Invisalign First is designed for children roughly 6 to 10 years old during Phase 1. The removable aligners come out for meals and brushing, and with no wires or brackets, keeping teeth clean is easy.
Invisalign for kids is gentle and discreet, and it fits easily into school days. If an aligner goes missing, we replace it and adjust the plan.
How do we make visits easier for families?
Seeing a kids orthodontist should fit into busy weeks, so we built our process around convenience:
- ✓iTero 3D scans instead of goopy impressions
- ✓DentalMonitoring remote check-ins, so kids miss fewer school hours
- ✓Kid-friendly explanations, plus clear plans for parents
Can kids keep up with sports and music?
Yes. Children in braces or aligners can keep playing sports and instruments, and we recommend an orthodontic-friendly mouthguard for contact sports.
Treatment should fit your family’s routine, and a kids orthodontist who uses remote monitoring makes that much easier. Afterward, retainers keep the new smile in place while the jaw finishes growing.
What does treatment cost?
Cost depends on the type of treatment, how long it lasts, and your insurance. We explain everything at the complimentary consultation and coordinate your benefits for you.
Interest-free monthly plans are available, including for Invisalign for kids and LightForce braces.
Why choose Dr. Gostovich as your kids orthodontist?
Dr. Tara Gostovich is an ABO board-certified orthodontist, a Top Dentists NJ honoree, and an Invisalign Platinum+ provider with nearly 1,500 cases treated. As a children’s orthodontist in Marlboro, NJ, she times care to each child’s growth.
Families come from Morganville and Holmdel for a practice that treats kids with patience and parents as partners.
Book a visit with a kids orthodontist in Marlboro
Your child’s first evaluation is free, friendly, and pressure-free. Call (732) 617-1211 or schedule online to meet the children’s orthodontist in Marlboro, NJ families trust.
Areas we serve
Every visit happens at our Marlboro, NJ office at 479 County Road 520, Suite A204, with DentalMonitoring check-ins that cut down on drives. Families come to us from across Monmouth and Middlesex counties: