Ragan Orthodontics is a specialist orthodontic practice in Dallas that treats kids from their first check at age 7 through braces in the preteen years. Dr. Michael Ragan is an orthodontist, not a general or pediatric dentist, and he sees children at two Dallas offices: Walnut Hill at 7859 Walnut Hill Ln., #345 and Inwood at 12300 Inwood Rd., Ste. 110. Every new patient starts with a free consultation.
If you're a parent trying to figure out whether your child needs braces, when to start, or what treatment actually looks like for a kid, this page walks through it the way Dr. Ragan explains it to families in the chair.
Why Choose a Kids Orthodontist in Dallas?
Lots of Dallas pediatric dental offices offer some orthodontic care. The difference with a dedicated orthodontist is focus. Orthodontists finish two to three extra years of full-time training after dental school that's all about how teeth, jaws and bites grow and move. For a growing child, that matters: the best time to guide a narrow jaw or a crossbite is while the bones are still developing, and catching that window takes a trained eye.
Dr. Ragan grew up in Dallas, graduated with honors from Baylor College of Dentistry, and completed his orthodontic training at Nova Southeastern University, where he served as chief resident. He's been practicing orthodontics for 23 years, and a big part of his practice is kids and families from North Dallas, Preston Hollow, Farmers Branch and the surrounding neighborhoods.
When Should Your Child See an Orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child get an orthodontic check by age 7. That doesn't mean most 7-year-olds need braces. By that age the first adult molars and front teeth are usually in, which gives Dr. Ragan enough information to spot bite and jaw problems early and tell you whether anything needs attention now or can simply be watched.
For most kids, the visit ends with "everything looks on track, let's check again as more teeth come in." For some, it uncovers an issue that's much easier to fix while your child is still growing. If that's the case, our early orthodontic treatment page covers Phase 1 care in detail.
Signs Your Child May Need Braces or an Orthodontic Check
- Crowded, overlapping or crooked teeth, or not enough room for adult teeth coming in
- Large gaps between teeth
- Upper teeth that stick out well past the lower teeth
- Top teeth that sit behind the bottom teeth (crossbite or underbite)
- Front teeth that don't touch when your child bites down (open bite)
- Losing baby teeth very early or very late
- Thumb sucking or pacifier use past age 5
- Mouth breathing, snoring or restless sleep
- Jaw shifting, clicking or popping when your child chews
If you're seeing any of these, it's worth a free visit, even before age 7.
Braces and Treatment Options for Kids
There's no one-size-fits-all plan for a child's smile. After the exam, Dr. Ragan will walk you through which of these options fit your child's teeth, age and personality.
Metal Braces
Metal braces are still the workhorse of orthodontics for kids. They're durable, they handle everything from simple crowding to complex bite problems, and today's brackets are smaller and more comfortable than what most parents remember. Kids can pick colored bands at each visit, which tends to make adjustment day something they look forward to.
WildSmiles Braces
WildSmiles brackets come in fun shapes like stars, hearts and footballs. They work exactly like traditional braces, but kids get to show some personality while their teeth straighten. For a lot of younger patients, that's what turns "I have to get braces" into "I get to pick my brackets."
Clear Braces
Clear braces use tooth-colored brackets that blend in. They're a good fit for older kids and preteens who are starting to care more about how braces look in school photos.
Palatal Expanders and Early Appliances
When a child's upper jaw is too narrow, a palatal expander can widen it gently while the bones are still growing. That can make room for adult teeth, correct a crossbite and, in many kids, make breathing through the nose easier. Dr. Ragan also uses the Carriere Motion Appliance to start correcting bite problems before braces go on, which can shorten treatment later.
Clear Aligners for Older Kids
Once more adult teeth are in, some older kids are good candidates for clear aligners. Aligners are removable, so they work best for kids who are ready to wear them as directed. Dr. Ragan will tell you honestly whether braces or aligners make more sense for your child.
Airway and Breathing in Growing Kids
How a child's jaws grow affects more than their smile. A narrow upper jaw or a recessed lower jaw can leave less room for the airway, which sometimes shows up as mouth breathing, snoring or poor sleep. Dr. Ragan looks at airway and jaw development as part of every kids exam and uses 3D CBCT imaging when a closer look is needed. Learn more on our airway orthodontics page.
What to Expect at Your Child's First Visit
The first visit is relaxed and free. Here's how it goes:
- A quick tour and hello. Our team gets your child comfortable before anything else.
- Photos and a digital scan. Instead of goopy impression trays, we use an iTero digital scanner to make a 3D model of your child's teeth.
- Exam with Dr. Ragan. He checks the teeth, bite, jaw growth and airway, and explains what he sees in plain language.
- A clear recommendation. You'll leave knowing whether your child needs treatment now, later, or not at all, and what the timeline would look like.
You can read more on our first visit page.
Fewer Missed School Days
Busy Dallas families don't need more trips across town. With DentalMonitoring, many patients can send quick progress scans from home using a smartphone, so Dr. Ragan can track treatment between visits. That means fewer in-office appointments and less time out of class.
Growing Into the Teen Years
Many kids we see at age 7 or 8 come back for full braces between ages 11 and 14, once most adult teeth are in. If your child is already there, our teen braces in Dallas page covers braces, clear aligners and what treatment looks like for busy teens.
Kids Orthodontics FAQ for Dallas Parents
What is the ideal age for a child to get braces?
Most kids get full braces between ages 9 and 14, once most of their adult teeth have come in. Every child should still have an orthodontic check by age 7, because some bite and jaw problems are easier to correct earlier while the jaw is growing.
Do all kids need braces?
No. Many children have teeth and bites that develop just fine on their own. An orthodontic exam tells you whether your child needs treatment, needs to be watched as more teeth come in, or doesn't need braces at all.
What types of braces are available for kids?
The most common options for kids are metal braces, WildSmiles braces with fun shaped brackets, clear tooth-colored braces, and for some older kids, clear aligners. Younger children may also need an appliance like a palatal expander before braces.
Do braces hurt for kids?
Braces don't hurt when they go on. Most kids feel some soreness or pressure for a few days after braces are placed and after adjustments. Soft foods, cold water and an over-the-counter pain reliever recommended by your child's doctor usually take care of it.
Can a child be too young for braces?
Full braces usually wait until more adult teeth are in, but a child is never too young for an orthodontic check. Some problems, like a crossbite or a narrow upper jaw, are best treated early with an expander or other appliance.
What is a deep bite in kids?
A deep bite is when the upper front teeth cover too much of the lower front teeth when your child bites down. It can wear down teeth and strain the jaw over time, and it's one of the problems orthodontists often find at an early exam.
Schedule Your Child's Free Consultation in Dallas
Whether your child is 7 and you just want peace of mind, or 10 and you're pretty sure braces are coming, we'd love to meet you. Call (214) 363-8893 or request your free consultation online at our Walnut Hill or Inwood office.