Braces for Kids in Santa Rosa
- Expert care from Sonoma County's most experienced kids orthodontist
Do all kids need braces?
Not every child develops tooth and jaw alignment issues, so not every child will need orthodontic treatment. But for those who do, early intervention aligns and guides the teeth while the child is still growing, when it’s easiest and most effective.
Metal braces are still the best option for complex issues, working around the clock and putting no stressful demands on the child for compliance.
Assessment starts around age seven, and if your child needs braces, they’ll start wearing them around age 10. Early assessment will help you and your orthodontist plan more effectively and prevent more complicated orthodontic problems in the future.
Signs your child may need braces
Starting around age seven, look out for:
- Crowded or overlapping teeth
- Bite issues (overbite, underbite, crossbite)
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Mouth breathing
- Restless sleep or snoring
- Excessive fatigue or difficulty focusing
Why early assessment matters (ages 7-11)
By addressing issues early on, you can give your child a lifetime of oral health and confident smiles.
- Proper jaw growth: Aligning the teeth and airways correctly enhances bite function and breathing, for better nutrition and sleep.
- Space for incoming teeth: Early treatment helps reduce crowding, allowing permanent teeth to grow in naturally.
- Appearance and self-esteem: A well-aligned smile boosts a child’s confidence as they mature.
- Simplified future treatment: Early fixes reduce the complexity and duration of later dental care.
Lynksey Orthodontics: Care for your child that's professional but fun
Getting braces doesn’t need to be stressful for your child or inconvenient for you. Whether it’s their first assessment, a checkup, or the big reveal when the braces come off, your child will enjoy a positive, comforting environment.
And, braces for kids have changed: Thanks to advances in technology and materials, they are now smaller, more comfortable, and less conspicuous than ever before. And you’ll appreciate our easy scheduling and remote monitoring, which greatly reduce the need for in-person appointments.
— Shel D.
Santa Rosa, CA
Meet Dr. Lynskey
Victoria Lynskey, DMD, MDS
Orthodontist Santa Rosa
Originally from New Zealand, Dr. Lynskey joined the American Association of Orthodontists in 1999. She is both a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry and a Master of Dental Surgery, in addition to being a Professor of Orthodontics at UC San Francisco.
She opened Lynskey Orthodontics in Santa Rosa in 2003, using the latest innovative technology to create stunning, healthy smiles.
Dr. Lynskey Orthodontics by the numbers
Orthodontist in Santa Rosa
Professor of orthodontics at UCSF
Smiles revealed with braces
Smiles revealed with Invisalign
Combined team experience
— Scantor S.
Santa Rosa, CA
Orthodontist Santa Rosa
Why choose Lynskey Orthodontics for your kid's braces?
Serving families across Sonoma County, including Santa Rosa, Windsor, and Rohnert Park for over 25 years
Your child's in expert hands every step of the way.
Dr. Lynskey has been an orthodontist for children since 1999, and her Smile Squad are all Registered Dental Assistants with over 60 years of combined expertise.
Customized treatment delivers better outcomes.
Your child will experience the latest orthodontic technology that works with precision in the least amount of time and with the least disruption.
Your time matters to us.
Your child's dental care should fit your schedule, so we provide remote monitoring tools that greatly reduce your office visits.
You're joining a community.
Alongside technical skill, we’re a group of enthusiastic, fun-loving professionals passionate about making your child's experience enjoyable and stress-free.
You're treated like family.
As your kid's orthodontist, we provide you and your child a warm, friendly environment where young patients feel supported and parents feel informed.
— Yen P.
Santa Rosa, CA
Financing and insurance for your kid's braces
Nothing should stand in the way of orthodontic care for your child. You have several financing options at Lynskey Orthodontics:
- We file your insurance claims and accept assignment of benefits (AOB), which can reduce your monthly payments.
- You can access our in-office 0% financing plans with monthly payments as low as $200.
- You can contract our trusted third-party financing partner.as low as $200.
— Brena U.
Santa Rosa, CA
Braces for kids in Santa Rosa and Sonoma County – It's easy!
Here’s how it works:
Book your child's free initial assessment.
Learn your treatment options and get answers to your questions with zero pressure.
Get your customized treatment plan.
Dr. Lynskey and her team will customize your kid's braces to meet their specific needs.
Watch your child's smile emerge.
See your child's healthy, confident smile develop through fun visits and easy remote monitoring.
What to expect at Lynskey Orthodontics
At Dr. Lynskey's, you'll find a warm, welcoming space in Santa Rosa. Whether you're coming from Santa Rosa High School or heading to Coddingtown Center, Montgomery Village, or Santa Rosa Plaza, our office on Montgomery Drive is an easy fit for your family routine.
Frequently asked questions
When should my child have their first orthodontics assessment?
Why would a 7-year old need to see an orthodontist?
To catch potential problems as early as possible, when the jaws are still developing and adult teeth are emerging. Most kids won’t need braces, and around age seven, we can establish this through assessment. If there are alignment concerns, solutions like braces for kids or palatal expanders enable us to guide the development of the teeth and jaw while your child is still growing.
Early intervention also prevents more complex treatment later and helps you plan for any future orthodontic needs for your child. This leads to overall healthier teeth and makes any subsequent dental care easier and shorter.
How do I know if my child needs braces?
Orthodontic issues show up early as tooth crowding, underbites, overbites, mouth breathing, congestion, snoring, restless sleep, fatigue, or difficulty chewing, swallowing, or focusing.
An early assessment for your child will investigate these symptoms by checking their tooth and jaw alignment, palate width, tongue posture, growth patterns, and breathing efficiency. Book your child’s complimentary assessment here. Kids love visiting our office, and we’ll explain everything to you, jargon-free!
When do kids start wearing braces, how long does it take, and how often do we have to come in?
- Most kids start braces between ages 10 to 14.
- Treatment times vary, but most kids complete braces in 12–24 months.
- Braces appointments are typically every 6–10 weeks.
Why choose braces for kids instead of Invisalign?
- Treatment age: Braces can be used effectively at almost any stage of dental development, including when baby teeth are still present. Invisalign is typically recommended once most or all permanent teeth have emerged, which limits its use in younger children.
- Effectiveness: Braces often work better for complex orthodontic issues such as severe crowding, large gaps, significant bite issues, and teeth that require rotation or vertical movement.
- Compliance: Braces are cemented to the teeth, with no risk of your child refusing or forgetting to wear them, which are common issues with removable aligners.
- Duration: For children who might struggle to follow Invisalign's 20-22 hours/day wear time, braces, which work 24/7, can achieve results faster and with less stress.
- Durability and maintenance: With braces, there is no risk of losing them and little risk of damage. Clear plastic aligners can be lost or broken, which interrupts treatment.
How would I fit my child's appointments into our busy schedule?
Does Lynksey Orthodontics offer financing for kids braces in Santa Rosa?
Yes. At Lynskey Orthodontics, we offer our Santa Rosa and Sonoma County families flexible monthly payment plans, 0% interest financing, and extended payment options.
Many dental insurance plans cover braces for kids. Our team will assist by verifying your benefits, submitting the claims, and accepting assignment of benefits to help reduce your overall out-of-pocket expenses.
Orthodontic care is also an eligible medical expense for HSA or FSA plans, and many families use these funds toward treatment costs.
You can learn more on our Insurance and Financing page, or schedule a complimentary consultation and we’ll be happy to answer any questions.
My child is scared of dentists. Can you help?
Yes, we have programs and activities specifically designed to help your child get used to – and even enjoy – their orthodontic treatment.
We hold observation-only patient days for children to be seen with others their own age, so they get used to the idea of braces or aligners.
We also introduce each dental instrument to your child and explain its function, so the tools don’t seem so intimidating.
Does my child need a referral to see Dr. Lynksey?
No referral is needed – you can schedule a complimentary consultation directly with our Santa Rosa office.