At Smiles of Bulverde, we help growing smiles with phase 1 Orthodontics in San Antonio, TX. This early stage of orthodontic treatment is designed for younger children, usually between ages 6 and 10. It helps guide jaw growth, fix bite issues, and create space for adult teeth to come in the right way. With early care, we can prevent bigger problems later. Our San Antonio dentist uses gentle tools and kid-friendly methods to make every visit easy. If your child needs early treatment orthodontics in San Antonio, we’re here to help with trusted, caring support.


Dr. Lisa has nearly 30 years of experience caring for patients with kindness and skill. She is dedicated to her patients’ utmost comfort and optimal oral health. Each patient is treated like the unique individual they are — something you’ll notice from the moment you walk through our door. We are honored to care for our patients, and we value the trust you have placed in us!
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Early orthodontic evaluations
Comfortable treatment options
Advanced imaging tools
We believe that everyone deserves a chance at a healthy smile, and that’s why we do everything we can to make paying for dental care as easy as possible.
With early treatment orthodontics in San Antonio, we guide the jaw and teeth into proper alignment as your child grows. This early support makes later treatment smoother and helps children maintain better oral hygiene while teeth and jaws are developing. It gives your child a better chance at a natural, healthy smile.
By starting with phase 1 orthodontics in San Antonio, many families avoid bigger problems later. Treating early can prevent tooth removal, jaw surgery, or longer time in braces. Early care means fewer appointments and lower long-term costs.
Kids who receive early orthodontic care in San Antonio often feel better about their smiles. When teeth are straighter from a young age, children tend to smile more. This confidence shows at school, in pictures, and around friends.
We start with a full orthodontic exam at our San Antonio dental office. This includes X-rays, photos, and checking how your child’s teeth and jaw are growing. It helps us catch problems early before they get worse.
At our dental office in San Antonio, we create a custom plan based on your child’s needs. This may include expanders, partial braces, or space maintainers. Every treatment is designed for comfort and long-term success.
Once the plan is in place, we begin care using safe, gentle techniques. Kids in San Antonio feel relaxed in our child-friendly office. We focus on making every step easy and stress-free for your child and your family.
Throughout treatment, your child will come back for regular visits at our San Antonio orthodontic clinic. These checkups let us adjust as needed and keep everything on track. We’re always here to answer questions and support your child’s smile.
Usually, yes. Phase 1 is designed to "set the stage" by fixing the foundation (the jaw and bone structure).
Most children will still need Phase 2 treatment (full braces or clear aligners) once all their permanent teeth are in (usually around age 12 or 13). However, because Phase 1 addressed the difficult structural issues, Phase 2 is typically shorter, easier, and much more stable.
On average, Phase 1 treatment lasts between 9 and 14 months.
After this phase, there is a "resting period" where we wait for the remaining permanent teeth to erupt. During this time, your child will typically wear a retainer at night and visit our San Antonio office for regular cleanings and growth checkups every six months.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7.
By this age, most children have enough permanent teeth for Dr. Ding or Dr. Knox to identify subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth. Starting early doesn't always mean your child needs braces right away it often means "monitoring" so we can intervene at the exact moment it will be most effective.
Phase 1 is a specialized stage of treatment that occurs while a child still has a mix of baby and adult teeth (usually between ages 6 and 10). Rather than just "straightening teeth," Phase 1 focuses on:

At Smiles of Bulverde Family Dentistry & Orthodontics, we make it simple for families in North San Antonio, TX to access high-quality dental care close to home. Our office on Bulverde Road is easily reachable for patients traveling from Northwood Hills, Roseheart, Emerald Forest, Encino Park, Redland Ridge, Redland Woods, Sendero Ridge, Emmitt Park, Gold Canyon, Oak Haven Heights, Hollywood Park, Kentwood Manor, Semora Oak, Cibolo Canyons Resort Community, Stone Oak Park, Hidden Canyon, Terra Bella, Summit, Wilderness Pointe, Far North Central, Cibolo Green Park, Christian Park, Timberwood Park, Franklin Park, Burlington, Ravello Oaks, Amalfi Oaks, Fossil Ridge, Palm Point, Creek River, Dusty Canyon, Montrose Wood, Park Hollow, Hardy Oak Blvd offering a convenient location for all your dental needs.
From preventive and family dentistry to orthodontics, cosmetic treatments, and emergency dental care, we offer complete dental services under one roof to support healthy, confident smiles for every stage of life. Our dental office is designed with your comfort and convenience in mind to ensure stress free visits for patients of all ages. Located at 22103 Bulverde Road, Suite 108, San Antonio, TX 78259, we offer ample parking, flexible scheduling, and a warm, welcoming environment. Call (210) 907-8666 today to schedule your appointment and discover why families across North San Antonio trust us as their dental and orthodontic home.