Braces for Children in Bethany, OK

Building Healthy, Confident Smiles
Smiling young girl with long hair and black-framed glasses resting her chin on her hand

Your child’s smile is one of the most important things in the world to you, and it is to us, too. At Boone Reeves Orthodontics, Dr. Jake Boone and Dr. James Reeves are more than just orthodontists. They’re your neighbors. They’re parents themselves. And they understand that starting your child’s orthodontic journey is a big decision that deserves real answers, honest conversations, and handled with care that actually fits your family’s life.

Serving families throughout Bethany, Yukon, Warr Acres, and the greater OKC area, we’ve made it our mission to make children’s orthodontic care feel less overwhelming and a lot more personal. Whether your little one just got their first evaluation or your pediatric dentist has already flagged a concern, we’re here to guide you through every step, with no jargon, no pressure, and no surprises.

Free Consultations for Every Child

We offer complimentary orthodontic evaluations for children. There’s no obligation, no complicated paperwork, and no pressure. Just a friendly conversation about your child’s smile and what, if anything, they might need. We offer flexible payment plans to make sure excellent care stays within reach for every family.

When Is the Right Time to Bring Your Child In?

This is one of the questions we hear most often from parents, and the answer might surprise you: earlier than you think.

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that every child have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. At that age, your child has enough permanent teeth that a trained orthodontist can begin to see how the bite and jaw are developing, even if everything looks perfectly fine on the surface.

At Boone Reeves Orthodontics, an early orthodontic check-up doesn’t automatically mean early treatment. Many children are simply monitored as they grow, and that’s completely normal. But for those who do have developing concerns, catching them early can make a meaningful difference, often simplifying treatment down the road and, in some cases, avoiding more extensive procedures altogether. Signs that your child may benefit from an evaluation include:

Early or late loss of baby teeth (before age 5 or after age 13)

Difficulty biting, chewing, or speaking clearly

Crowded, misplaced, or blocked-out teeth

Mouth breathing or snoring

Teeth that don't come together properly when biting

Teeth that appear to overlap or are visibly crooked

If you’ve noticed any of these signs, or if your child’s dentist has raised a concern, trust your instincts and schedule a visit. Our consultations are always free and always low-pressure. We’ll take the time to explain what we’re seeing and what, if anything, you should expect next.
The right treatment at the right time

Early Treatment (Phase 1): Getting Ahead of the Problem

Not every child needs early orthodontic treatment. But for those who do, Phase 1, also called interceptive orthodontics, can be genuinely life-changing.

Phase 1 typically begins between the ages of 7 and 10, while your child still has a mix of baby and permanent teeth. During this window, the jaw is still growing and highly responsive to gentle guidance. That responsiveness gives Dr. Boone and Dr. Reeves the ability to make skeletal corrections that are more difficult once growth is complete.

What Can Phase 1 Accomplish?

  • Create space for incoming permanent teeth to erupt correctly
  • Address jaw width and alignment issues before they become structural problems
  • Reduce the risk of impacted teeth and the extractions that often follow
  • Correct harmful oral habits like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting
  • Improve your child’s bite and overall facial harmony
  • Shorten or simplify the Phase 2 treatment they’ll need later

 

Phase 1 treatment typically lasts 12 to 18 months and may include appliances such as a palate expander, partial braces on select teeth, or a space maintainer. After Phase 1, we enter a resting period where we monitor your child’s development every 3 to 6 months until all the permanent teeth have erupted, and it’s time for Phase 2.

Not Every Child Needs Two Phases

It’s important to us that you never feel like we’re recommending treatment your child doesn’t truly need. Many kids do wonderfully with a single comprehensive course of treatment as a tween or teen. If that’s the case for your child, we’ll tell you so and check back in when the timing is right.

Smiling young boy in a striped sweater standing near a bright window

Comprehensive Braces for Children: Tried, True, and Better Than Ever

When all the permanent teeth are in, typically around ages 11 to 14, most children begin comprehensive braces treatment. This is Phase 2 for those who had early treatment, or the first and only phase for those who didn’t.

Today’s braces have come a long way. Modern metal brackets are smaller, smoother, and more comfortable than the braces you might remember from your own childhood. At Boone Reeves Orthodontics, every treatment plan is designed around your child’s unique needs, not a one-size-fits-all protocol.

Braces for Kids

Our metal braces are reliable, precise, and, let's be honest, kind of fun for kids. They can choose band colors at every appointment, making each visit a small personal expression. More importantly, traditional braces give Dr. Boone and Dr. Reeves the most control over complex tooth movements, making them the gold standard for growing patients with a wide range of bite and alignment challenges.

Space Maintenance

When a baby tooth is lost too early, through decay, injury, or extraction, neighboring teeth can drift into the space, creating problems for the incoming permanent tooth. A space maintainer holds that space open so your child's teeth can develop properly. Dr. Boone and Dr. Reeves evaluate each child individually to determine when a space maintainer is appropriate and when it's safe to let nature take its course.

Retainers After Treatment

Once your child's braces come off, retention begins, and it's every bit as important as the treatment itself. Teeth have a natural tendency to shift back toward their original positions, especially during and after adolescence. We'll fit your child for a custom retainer and explain exactly how and when to wear it, so that the beautiful smile they've worked so hard for lasts a lifetime.

Why Families in Bethany Choose Boone Reeves Orthodontics for Their Kids

There are a lot of orthodontic practices in the OKC area. What makes Boone Reeves Orthodontics different isn’t just clinical skill, though Dr. Boone and Dr. Reeves have plenty of that. It’s the way they show up for the families they serve.

What to Expect at Your Child’s First Visit

We know that walking into a new healthcare provider’s office can feel a little uncertain, especially for kids. That’s why we’ve worked hard to make Boone Reeves Orthodontics feel like a place your child actually looks forward to visiting. Here’s what the first visit looks like:

  • A warm welcome from our team, we love meeting new patients
  • A comprehensive evaluation of your child’s teeth, bite, jaw, and facial development
  • Digital X-rays and imaging, if needed, using new low-radiation technology
  • A clear, jargon-free conversation with Dr. Boone or Dr. Reeves about what they found
  • Honest guidance on whether treatment is recommended now, later, or not at all
  • A chance to ask every question on your mind, no rushing, no pressure

 

Most first visits take about 60 to 90 minutes. After that, you’ll leave with a clear picture of where your child stands and exactly what next steps, if any, make sense for their smile.

Smiling teen boy with straight white teeth on a light blue background

Orthodontic Care Rooted in Your Community

Boone Reeves Orthodontics is something different: a locally owned practice built by two doctors who trained together, returned to Oklahoma together, and built something they’re genuinely proud of, together.

We’re not a number-driven practice. We don’t measure success by how many patients cycle through the door. We measure it by the relationships we build, the trust we earn, and the smiles we get to see, year after year, because families come back to see us and tell their friends.


When your child is in our chair, they are seen, heard, and cared for. That’s the Boone Reeves promise.

Give Your Child's Smile the Head Start It Deserves

Whether your child is 7 or 14, have a simple spacing question or a complex bite concern, we’re here for them. At Boone Reeves Orthodontics, every child who walks through our doors is treated like family, because that’s exactly how Dr. Boone and Dr. Reeves see them.


Your child’s first orthodontic consultation is completely free. No commitment. No pressure. Just real, honest care from two doctors who are genuinely invested in your family’s wellbeing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Braces for Children

Most children begin comprehensive braces treatment between ages 11 and 14, once their permanent teeth have come in. However, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first evaluation by age 7, not necessarily to start treatment, but to catch developing concerns early.

Treatment time varies based on the complexity of your child's case. Most comprehensive braces treatments last between 12 and 24 months.

There may be some mild soreness for a day or two after braces are placed or adjusted, especially as teeth begin to move. This is completely normal and typically managed easily with over-the-counter pain relief and soft foods.

Absolutely. Children with braces can continue all their regular activities, sports, music, and everything. For contact sports, we strongly recommend a mouthguard to protect both the teeth and the appliances.

Ready to start your traditional metal braces journey?