Most parents bring their children to an orthodontist when their teeth look crooked. But by then, the underlying problems, including narrow jaws, mouth breathing, tongue posture, and oral habits, have often been quietly developing for years. Modern pediatric orthodontics does not just straighten teeth in the teen years. It identifies growth and functional issues early, when guiding development is still possible.
Dr. Ankita Sidhpura Chauhan is a specialist pediatric dentist with specific training in pediatric orthodontics and myofunctional therapy. At Sharan Hospital in Ghatkopar, she provides the full spectrum of orthodontic care from early interceptive treatment in young children to braces and clear aligners for teenagers, all guided by a deep understanding of how children grow, breathe, and develop.
Every child should be assess by age 7. Catching crowding, bite issues, and jaw problems early, while the child is still growing, means simpler treatment now and often no braces later.
When a child's jaw is growing in the wrong direction, the right appliance at the right age can guide the bones into a healthier position. This works best during childhood growth spurts, when change is still possible.
Thumb sucking and tongue thrusting quietly reshape the developing jaw and bite over time. Habit-breaking appliances combined with simple exercises stop the habit and help the jaw recover — usually within 3 to 6 months.
We offer modern metal braces and clear aligners for active tooth straightening. Clear aligners are nearly invisible and removable, ideal for teens. We help you choose the option that suits your child's needs and lifestyle.
Myofunctional therapy corrects the causes of crooked teeth, not just the teeth themselves. Targeted exercises retrain the tongue, lips, and breathing muscles so jaws develop wider and teeth have room to align naturally.
A child who breathes through their mouth, snores, or sleeps poorly may have an airway issue with real dental consequences. We identify these patterns early and coordinate with ENT specialists and paediatricians for complete care.
Tongue tie affects feeding in infants, speech in toddlers, and jaw development in older children. We assess tongue function in full detail, perform a quick laser frenectomy, and guide rehabilitation with exercises and therapy coordination.
Children with cleft lip and palate need specialist orthodontic care across multiple stages of growth. As part of Sharan Hospital's interdisciplinary team, Dr. Ankita manages jaw development, space creation, and full craniofacial growth guidance.
Pediatric orthodontics is not the same as placing braces on smaller teeth. Dr. Ankita brings specialist training in growth, function, and airway to every orthodontic assessment, addressing the causes of problems rather than their visible symptoms.
We assess jaw development, airway function, and oral habits to prevent major issues in adolescence.
Intervening between ages 6 and 10 can minimize or eliminate the need for braces later.
We specialize in treating infants with cleft lip and palate and children with speech-affecting tongue ties.
Orthodontic problems do not begin when teeth erupt crooked. They begin years earlier, in how a child breathes, swallows, and holds their tongue at rest. Our practice is built around catching these patterns early and guiding development before they become a problem that requires complex intervention.
We work with children who have been told their case is too complex, too young, or too difficult. Dr. Ankita brings specialist training and patience to make orthodontic care genuinely possible for every child at every stage of development.
Every child should have an orthodontic assessment by age 7. Spotting crowding, bite issues, and jaw concerns while your child is still growing often means simpler treatment, and sometimes avoids braces altogether.
Interceptive (early) orthodontics guides jaw and facial growth between roughly ages 6 and 10, while the bones are still developing. Rather than straightening teeth after problems appear, it shapes growth so problems are reduced or prevented in the first place.
It can. Mouth breathing and disturbed sleep often point to an airway issue that influences jaw and facial development. We identify these patterns early and coordinate with ENT specialists and paediatricians for complete care.
Yes. These habits slowly reshape the developing jaw and bite. We combine habit-breaking appliances with simple exercises, which usually resolve the habit and allow the jaw to recover within three to six months.
Myofunctional therapy treats the causes of crooked teeth rather than only the teeth. Targeted exercises retrain the tongue, lips, and breathing muscles so jaws develop wider and teeth have more room to align naturally.
Yes. We assess tongue function in detail and perform quick laser frenectomy with guided rehabilitation when needed. As part of Sharan Hospital's interdisciplinary team, Dr Ankita also manages orthodontics and craniofacial growth guidance for children with cleft lip and palate.
Comprehensive dental services, confident smiles through, personalized care.
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