Early orthodontic care for ages 5 to 16
Smartee AG Kids in Knutsford
Smartee AG Kids helps guide how your child’s teeth and jaws develop while they are still growing. It combines clear removable appliances with simple muscle trainers to help with the shape of the upper jaw, the position of the lower jaw and everyday habits such as mouth breathing or tongue thrusting. At your child’s assessment, Dr Marcin will check their teeth, bite and breathing habits and explain whether treatment could help now or is better left until later.
What is Smartee AG Kids?
Smartee AG Kids is a growth guidance system for children aged 5 to 16. Problems such as a narrow upper jaw, a lower jaw that sits too far back or a deep bite often start while the face is still developing. AG Kids uses this period of growth to help guide the teeth and jaws into a better position, rather than waiting until all the adult teeth are through. Treatment is planned digitally and tailored to your child’s age and stage of development.
Why choose Smartee AG Kids?
- Works with growth: treatment is timed to make use of your child’s natural growth.
- Clear and removable: the appliances are clear and can be taken out to eat and brush.
- Looks at habits too: muscle trainers help with tongue posture, lip strength and nasal breathing.
- Planned digitally: a 3D scan replaces messy moulds, and each stage is planned on screen.
- Suitable for a wide age range: from young children with baby teeth to teenagers.
- Regular reviews: we monitor your child’s growth and adjust treatment as they develop.
The process
1.
Assessment
We check your child’s teeth, bite, jaw growth and habits such as mouth breathing. If we notice signs of a breathing or sleep problem, we’ll advise you to see your GP.
2.
Digital scan
A quick 3D scan of your child’s teeth, with no messy moulds.
3.
Treatment plan
We plan each stage of treatment around your child’s growth and explain the options, costs and alternatives.
4.
Appliances and trainers
Your child receives their appliances and trainers, and we show you both how to use and care for them.
5.
Regular reviews
We check your child’s progress as they grow and adjust treatment when needed.
Signs your child may benefit from an assessment
Some early signs of problems with jaw growth or oral habits are easy to miss. If you notice any of the following, it’s worth booking an assessment, even if your child still has their baby teeth.
- breathing through their mouth during the day or at night
- snoring or restless sleep
- crowded or crooked teeth
- a narrow upper jaw or high palate
- a lower jaw that sits further back than the upper jaw
- front teeth that stick out or a deep bite
- upper and lower teeth that don’t meet properly when biting
- thumb sucking or dummy use beyond the toddler years
- the tongue pushing forward between the teeth when swallowing or speaking
*Snoring, pauses in breathing or gasping during sleep can be signs of a sleep-related breathing problem, which needs to be assessed by a doctor. If you notice these, please speak to your GP.
What’s included in Smartee AG Kids
Smartee AG Kids brings together several clear appliances and trainers, each with its own job. Your child won’t necessarily need all of them. Dr Marcin will choose the ones that suit their teeth, jaws and stage of growth.
- Clear jaw positioning trays: removable trays that gently hold the lower jaw forward while also helping to line up the teeth, for children whose lower jaw sits too far back.
- Clear palatal appliance: a clear appliance that sits against the roof of the mouth to help widen a narrow upper jaw and make room for the adult teeth.
- Muscle trainers: soft silicone trainers that help with tongue position, lip strength and nasal breathing, and can help break habits such as thumb sucking.
- Digital planning: each stage of treatment is planned from a 3D scan of your child’s teeth, so we can follow their growth closely.
See how Smartee AG Kids works
This short video explains how Smartee AG Kids helps guide the development of a child’s teeth and jaws as they grow. If you have any questions after watching, we’ll be happy to go through them with you at your child’s assessment.
— frequently asked questions —
Quick answers to your questions
What age can my child start Smartee AG Kids?
Smartee AG Kids is designed for children aged 5 to 16. The right time to start depends on your child’s teeth, jaw growth and habits. Not every child needs early treatment, and if we think it’s better to wait, we’ll tell you.
How is Smartee AG Kids different from braces?
Fixed braces mainly move teeth once most of the adult teeth are through. Smartee AG Kids is used while your child is still growing and focuses on guiding the jaws and correcting habits, as well as helping the teeth into a better position. All the appliances are clear and removable.
How long does treatment take?
It depends on what needs to be treated and how your child grows. Treatment is often planned in stages that follow their development, and we’ll give you an estimated timescale once your child’s plan is ready.
How many hours a day does my child need to wear the appliances?
This depends on which appliances and trainers your child is using. Some are worn for most of the day and night, while trainers may only be needed for short periods and overnight. We’ll give you clear instructions and check how your child is getting on at each review.
Can Smartee AG Kids help with mouth breathing or snoring?
The muscle trainers can help your child practise keeping their lips together and breathing through their nose. Snoring, pauses in breathing or gasping during sleep can have other causes, so these need to be checked by your GP first.