Early Orthodontics in Santa Rosa
- Expert guidance for you and a lifetime of healthy, confident smiles for your child
Does my child need to see an orthodontist?
Not every child develops tooth and jaw alignment issues. But for those who do, early orthodontic care detects and fixes issues while the child is still growing, when it’s easiest and most effective.
Early orthodontic assessment starts around age seven, and if kids need braces, they start between ages eight to 14. An 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 to see an orthodontist
- Crowded or overlapping teeth
- Bite issues (overbite, underbite, crossbite)
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Mouth breathing
- Restless sleep or snoring
- Excessive fatigue or difficulty focusing
The importance of early orthodontic care (ages 7-11)
- Proper jaw growth: Aligning the teeth and airways correctly enhances bite function and breathing.
- Space for incoming teeth: Early treatment helps reduce crowding, allowing permanent teeth to emerge 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 orthodontic care.
Orthodontic care for your child that's professional but fun
A visit to the orthodontist 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, your child will enjoy a positive, comforting environment. And you'll appreciate our easy scheduling and remote monitoring, which greatly reduce the need for in-person appointments.
— Scantor S.
Santa Rosa, CA
What is "two-phase orthodontic treatment"?
Two-phase orthodontic treatment plans are delivered in two stages to correct issues at just the right time. We use assessments and interventions beginning around age seven that detect and fix developing dental and skeletal issues before they become severe.
- Phase 1 (early orthodontics) focuses on guiding jaw growth and creating space. The goal is early intervention for best results and to avoid more complex treatment later on.
- Phase 2 (ages eight to 14) ensures permanent teeth are properly aligned and in harmony with the lips, cheeks, and jawline. Phase 2 lasts between 12 and 24 months, or less if Phase 1 treatment has been completed.
— Lauren S.
Santa Rosa, CA
Early orthodontic treatment options for kids
Invisalign for kids
Invisalign First clear aligners fix a range of early orthodontic issues, including teeth crowding and narrow dental arches. They're removable for easy oral hygiene, and they custom-fit your child's teeth for great comfort.
Braces for kids
Old school metal braces still work their early orthodontic magic, and thanks to advances in technology and materials, they are now smaller, more comfortable, and less conspicuous than ever before.
Airway orthodontics for kids
A healthy smile is more than just straight teeth. Airway orthodontics optimizes the development of vital breathing structures and oxygen intake, to address mouth breathing, snoring, poor sleep, and behavioral issues like hyperactivity.
Early orthodontics made easy for kids (and parents)
Serving families across Sonoma County, including Santa Rosa, Windsor, and Rohnert Park
Designed for kids’ comfort
- Modern, gentle techniques
- Kid-friendly office environment
- Caring team experienced with children
- Remote checkups for fewer in-person visits
Support for parents
- Flexible scheduling around school or activities
- Text reminders so you never miss an appointment
- Digital check-in for minimal wait times
- Emergency care available
Expert advice and results
- 3 decades as a practicing orthodontist in Santa Rosa and seven years as Professor of Orthodontics at UCSF
- A leader in digital orthodontic innovation, delivering custom, personalized treatment
- A Smile Squad of registered dental assistants with over 60 years of combined expertise
— Kimberly C.
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 state-of-the-art 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
Early orthodontics financing and insurance
Nothing should stand in the way of orthodontic care for you or 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.
— Grace F.
Santa Rosa, CA
Finding your child's real smile is easy.
At Lynskey Orthodontics, we use the latest early orthodontics technology to help children of all ages develop the smile they deserve, with fewer appointments in less time!
Here’s how it works:
Book your child's free initial consultation.
Learn the treatment options and get answers to your questions with zero pressure.
Get your customized treatment plan.
Dr. Lynskey and her team will customize braces, expanders, or Invisalign to your child's 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
Trying somewhere new can be intimidating, but you'll find the Lynskey orthodontic office to be a warm, welcoming space in Santa Rosa.
More success Stories
Frequently asked questions
When should my child have their first early orthodontics evaluation?
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 orthodontic care can prevent 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 treatment easier and shorter.
How do I know if my child has an orthodontic issue?
Early orthodontic issues show up as tooth crowding, underbites, overbites, mouth breathing, congestion, snoring, restless sleep, fatigue, or difficulty chewing, swallowing, or focusing.
An early orthodontic 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. We’ll explain everything to you, jargon-free!
What is two-phase orthodontic treatment?
This is the medical term for orthodontic care for children, delivered in two stages to optimize their dental and facial development. The two-phase approach combines early intervention to detect and correct foundational issues with later detailed alignment for a healthy airway and aesthetically pleasing smile.
Phase 1, or early orthodontics, typically begins around age seven, when a child still has a mix of baby and permanent teeth and their jaw and palate are still developing. The goal is to guide jaw growth to create space for permanent teeth and maximize airway efficiency and bite alignment.
Phase 2 starts around age 11, once most permanent teeth have appeared. The focus is on the final, detailed alignment of the teeth. Phase 2 uses more comprehensive orthodontic treatment, often with full braces or aligners, to straighten teeth, refine bite, and complete the alignment process.
How would I fit my child's appointments into our busy schedule?
With our early orthodontic treatments like Invisalign First or braces for kids, we use remote monitoring to evaluate when it’s the right time for your child to come in. These virtual check-up scans take two minutes using your smartphone and can be performed from home or anywhere on the go. They result in more accurate treatment timing and shorter overall treatment time, meaning fewer visits to our office and less disruption to your life.
Does Lynksey Orthodontics offer financing options 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 early orthodontics for children. 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.
Does my child need a referral to see an orthodontist?
Conveniently located at
- Just minutes from Rohnert Park, CA and Windsor, CA