Child Orthodontics In Erie, CO

Why Early Orthodontic Intervention Matters for Your Child

Is your child’s smile developing properly? At Hardy Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we believe that early orthodontic care is essential for your child’s long-term oral health and confidence. The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation between ages 7-8, when permanent teeth are beginning to emerge and jaw development is still active.

Dr. T.C. Hardy takes a conservative, evidence-based approach to child orthodontics in Erie. While some orthodontists rush to begin treatment the moment adult teeth appear, our philosophy is different. We believe in thorough assessment first, with intervention only when truly necessary. This patient-centered approach means your child receives precisely the treatment they need—no more, no less—saving you time, money, and unnecessary appointments.

Early detection of issues like crossbites, underbites, or severe overcrowding allows our team to address these problems while your child’s jaw is still growing and more responsive to treatment. Without timely intervention, these conditions can worsen, potentially leading to more complex treatments later. Our board-certified orthodontist, Dr. Hardy, has the specialized training and experience to identify subtle signs of developing orthodontic issues that general dentists might miss.

What to Expect at Your Child’s First Orthodontic Visit

When you bring your child to Hardy Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics for their first orthodontic consultation, you’ll experience a warm, welcoming environment designed specifically with children in mind. We understand that dental visits can create anxiety, which is why our team takes extra care to make the experience positive and engaging.

During this initial free consultation, Dr. Hardy will conduct a thorough examination of your child’s teeth, jaw, and bite relationship. We utilize state-of-the-art technology including digital X-rays and the iTero scanner, which creates 3D models of your child’s mouth without the discomfort of traditional impressions. These advanced diagnostic tools allow us to identify potential issues with greater precision while minimizing radiation exposure by up to 90% compared to traditional X-rays.

After the examination, Dr. Hardy will discuss his findings with you in clear, straightforward language. If treatment is recommended, he’ll explain the options, timeline, and what you can expect. If no immediate treatment is needed, we’ll schedule follow-up visits to monitor your child’s dental development. Our goal is to partner with you in your child’s orthodontic journey, ensuring you have all the information you need to make confident decisions about their care.

Advanced Orthodontic Options for Children in Erie

Clear Colorful Braces: Making Treatment Fun

At Hardy Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we believe orthodontic treatment should be an exciting experience for children. That’s why we offer Clarity™ ADVANCED Ceramic Braces by 3M—a revolutionary system that combines effectiveness with aesthetics and fun.

These clear braces feature ceramic brackets that blend with your child’s natural tooth color. The real excitement comes when we add colorful bands to the brackets, allowing your child to express their personality through their smile. They can choose their favorite colors, school colors, holiday themes, or change them with every adjustment appointment. This customization helps children embrace their braces rather than feeling self-conscious about them.

Beyond the aesthetic appeal, Clarity™ ADVANCED Ceramic Braces offer significant health benefits. The advanced design decreases the risk of demineralization from bonding agents and brackets, helping protect your child’s tooth enamel during treatment. The brackets are also engineered for comfort, with smooth edges that reduce irritation to cheeks and lips.

KLOwen Braces: Faster Treatment, Fewer Appointments

Hardy Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is proud to offer cutting-edge KLOwen Braces—a fully customized braces system that can significantly reduce treatment time and the number of orthodontic visits your child needs.

This innovative technology uses specialized software to design your child’s perfect smile digitally. Then, using 3D printed trays, we place custom brackets in precisely the right position on each tooth. The precision wiring completes the system, delivering more effective tooth movement with greater comfort.

The KLOwen system allows for more efficient tooth movement, which means:

• Shorter overall treatment time
• Fewer adjustment appointments
• Reduced discomfort
• More predictable results

For busy families juggling school, activities, and other commitments, KLOwen Braces offer the perfect solution: exceptional results with less time in the orthodontist’s chair.

InBrace: Truly Hidden Orthodontic Treatment

For children who are particularly concerned about the appearance of braces, we offer InBrace—an innovative system that works completely behind the teeth. This truly invisible orthodontic solution uses advanced technology and personalized Smart Wire technology to perfect your child’s smile while remaining completely hidden from view.

InBrace offers several unique advantages:

• Completely invisible from the front
• Delivers light, continuous forces for more comfortable tooth movement
• Works automatically, requiring fewer adjustments
• Allows for normal brushing and flossing

During your consultation, Dr. Hardy can determine if InBrace is suitable for your child’s specific orthodontic needs.

Physical Health Advantages

Child orthodontics goes far beyond creating a beautiful smile—it directly impacts your child’s overall health and well-being. Properly aligned teeth and jaws contribute to:

Improved oral hygiene: Straight teeth are easier to brush and floss effectively, reducing the risk of cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss later in life. When teeth are crowded or misaligned, food particles can become trapped in hard-to-reach areas, creating breeding grounds for bacteria.

Better digestion and nutrition: Properly aligned teeth allow for more effective chewing, which is the first step in the digestive process. When children can chew food thoroughly, they extract more nutrients and experience fewer digestive issues.

Reduced risk of jaw problems: Early orthodontic intervention can help prevent temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders that often develop when bite issues go untreated. These disorders can cause headaches, facial pain, and difficulty opening and closing the mouth—problems that can persist throughout adulthood.

Psychological and Social Benefits

A child’s smile plays a crucial role in their social interactions and self-perception. At Hardy Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we understand the profound impact orthodontic treatment can have on your child’s confidence and quality of life.

Children with untreated orthodontic issues may become self-conscious about their appearance, leading to reluctance to smile, speak, or participate in social activities. By addressing these concerns early, we help children develop healthy self-esteem during these formative years.

Research shows that children with attractive smiles are perceived more positively by peers and adults alike. A confident smile can help your child make friends more easily, perform better in school presentations, and engage more fully in extracurricular activities—benefits that extend far beyond the orthodontic treatment period.

Long-term Financial Savings

Investing in early orthodontic treatment often results in significant cost savings over time. When orthodontic issues are addressed during childhood:

• Treatment is typically shorter and less complex
• The risk of dental injuries from protruding teeth is reduced
• Future expensive dental work (including possible jaw surgery) can be avoided
• The likelihood of tooth extractions is decreased

Our flexible payment plans make it easier for families to provide this important care without financial strain, and our in-house membership plans offer solutions for families without traditional dental insurance.

Why Dr. T.C. Hardy is Erie’s Top Choice for Child Orthodontics

When choosing an orthodontist for your child, expertise and specialized training matter. Dr. T.C. Hardy brings exceptional qualifications to every patient interaction:

• Board Certification by the American Board of Orthodontics (achieved by only 30% of orthodontists)
• Advanced specialty training specifically in orthodontics
• Recipient of The Everett Shapiro Award in Orthodontics
• Awarded the Dr. Harold Berk Endowed Prize Fund for Excellence in Research
• Published research presented nationally and internationally
• Ongoing commitment to continuing education in the latest orthodontic techniques

Dr. Hardy’s academic background includes a BS in Engineering from Tufts University, followed by his dental degree from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. His Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) from Lutheran Medical Center and Certificate of Orthodontics from Tufts University provide the foundation for his expert approach to orthodontic care.

What truly sets Dr. Hardy apart is his gentle, child-focused approach to treatment. He understands that children respond best to orthodontic care when they feel comfortable, informed, and empowered in the process. By building relationships based on trust and respect, Dr. Hardy creates positive experiences that help children develop lifelong positive attitudes toward dental care.

Working alongside his wife, Dr. Namrata Hardy (a board-certified pediatric dentist), and Dr. Cierra Randall, Dr. Hardy offers families in Erie comprehensive oral health services under one roof—combining convenience with exceptional specialized care.

Colored bands can give your brackets that pop of color you desire!

Our Child-Friendly Approach to Orthodontic Treatment

At Hardy Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we’ve transformed the traditional orthodontic experience into something children actually look forward to. Our child-centered approach is evident in every aspect of our practice:

Our welcoming office environment features bright colors, entertainment options, and friendly staff who genuinely enjoy working with children. We’ve designed our space to feel more like a fun destination than a clinical setting, helping to reduce anxiety from the moment your child walks through our door.

We use child-friendly language to explain procedures, avoiding technical terms that might intimidate young patients. Our “Tell-Show-Do” technique helps children understand what to expect, removing the fear of the unknown that often accompanies dental visits. Before any procedure, we explain what we’ll be doing in age-appropriate terms, demonstrate on a model or finger, and then proceed with the actual treatment.

Parents are welcome to accompany children during treatment to provide emotional support. We view parents as essential partners in the orthodontic process and encourage your involvement while being mindful that children are sensitive to their parents’ anxiety levels. Our team provides guidance to help you support your child positively through each phase of treatment.

Cutting-Edge Technology for Superior Orthodontic Results

Hardy Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics invests in the latest orthodontic technology to provide more comfortable, efficient, and effective treatment for our young patients:

This advanced technology allows us to:

• Provide more accurate diagnoses
• Create highly customized treatment plans
• Reduce discomfort during procedures
• Decrease treatment time
• Achieve more predictable outcomes

By combining cutting-edge technology with Dr. Hardy’s expertise, we deliver orthodontic care that exceeds expectations in both experience and results.

Frequently Asked Questions About Child Orthodontics

How do I know if my child needs orthodontic treatment?

While a professional evaluation is the only definitive way to determine if your child needs orthodontic treatment, there are some signs you can watch for at home. These include crowded or overlapping teeth, gaps between teeth, teeth that don’t meet properly when biting, jaw shifting or making sounds, difficulty chewing or biting, mouth breathing, and early or late loss of baby teeth. If your child experiences any of these symptoms, it’s worth scheduling a consultation with Dr. Hardy. Remember that many orthodontic issues aren’t obvious to the untrained eye, which is why the American Association of Orthodontics recommends an evaluation by age 7-8, even if no problems are apparent.

Will my child need to have teeth extracted for orthodontic treatment?

Dr. Hardy follows a conservative approach that aims to preserve all natural teeth whenever possible. Thanks to advances in orthodontic techniques and early intervention, extractions are much less common today than in the past. When we evaluate your child early (around age 7-8), we can often use growth modification techniques that create adequate space for all teeth without extraction. However, in some cases where severe crowding exists or when teeth are impacted, extraction may be necessary to achieve the best functional and aesthetic results. During your consultation, Dr. Hardy will discuss all options and explain his recommendations based on your child’s specific needs.

How long will my child need to wear braces?

The duration of orthodontic treatment varies significantly depending on the complexity of your child’s case, the type of treatment used, and how well they follow care instructions. On average, most children wear braces for 18-24 months. Simple alignment issues might require only 12 months, while more complex cases involving bite correction might take up to 30 months. Using advanced systems like KLOwen Braces can potentially reduce treatment time. During your consultation, Dr. Hardy will provide a personalized estimate based on your child’s specific needs. Regular appointments and good compliance with elastic wear and oral hygiene instructions can help ensure treatment stays on schedule.

How do we care for braces and maintain good oral hygiene?

Maintaining good oral hygiene with braces requires extra diligence but becomes routine with practice. We recommend brushing after every meal using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, angling the brush to clean both above and below the brackets. Flossing daily is essential—we’ll provide special floss threaders or orthodontic flossers that make this easier. Water flossers can be particularly helpful for children with braces. We also recommend avoiding certain foods that can damage braces, including hard candies, popcorn, nuts, chewing gum, and sticky treats. At each adjustment appointment, we’ll check your child’s hygiene and provide additional tips or tools if needed. Good oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment helps prevent white spots, cavities, and gum inflammation.

What payment options are available for orthodontic treatment?

At Hardy Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we believe financial considerations shouldn’t prevent children from receiving necessary orthodontic care. We offer several payment options to make treatment accessible for all families. We accept most major dental insurance plans and will help maximize your benefits—many plans cover a portion of orthodontic treatment for children under 18. For families without insurance coverage, our in-house membership plans provide significant discounts on orthodontic services. We also offer flexible payment plans with low or no interest, allowing you to spread the cost of treatment over time. During your consultation, our financial coordinator will provide a clear breakdown of costs and help you explore the payment options that work best for your family’s budget.

Schedule Your Child’s Free Orthodontic Consultation Today

Give your child the gift of a healthy, confident smile that will benefit them throughout life. Dr. T.C. Hardy and our experienced team at Hardy Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics are ready to provide exceptional orthodontic care tailored to your child’s unique needs.

Our free orthodontic consultation includes:

• Comprehensive examination
• Digital imaging as needed
• Discussion of treatment options
• Personalized treatment plan
• Insurance and payment plan information

Don’t wait until orthodontic issues become more complex and costly to treat. Early evaluation is key to the most effective care.

📍 Visit Us: 3200 Village Vista Dr., Suite 110, Erie, CO 80516 📞 Call: (720) 764-6158 📩 Or Request an Appointment Online Today at www.hardypedoortho.com

Hardy Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics – Where growing smiles get the specialized care they deserve!