A straighter smile can make it easier for children to brush, floss, and maintain healthy teeth as they grow. For kids who need orthodontic treatment but would prefer an alternative to brackets and wires, Invisalign clear aligners may provide a comfortable and convenient option.
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Invisalign uses a customized series of clear, removable aligners to gradually guide teeth into healthier positions. Instead of attaching metal brackets and wires to the teeth, the aligners fit over your child’s smile and apply controlled pressure as treatment progresses.
Clear aligners can address a variety of orthodontic concerns, depending on your child’s age, dental development, and bite. Invisalign treatment may be considered for crowding, spaces between teeth, certain bite problems, and developing alignment concerns. An evaluation is necessary to determine whether clear aligners or another orthodontic approach will provide the most appropriate result.
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Dr. Jenny Citineni is a board-certified pediatric dentist with a passion for creating positive dental experiences for children. Originally from Hyderabad, India, she earned her dental degree from UNC School of Dentistry and later served as Dental Director of a Children’s Health Department Dental Clinic in North Carolina.
Recognized for her dedication and achievements, Dr. Jenny is committed to making every child feel comfortable, valued, and excited about their dental health journey.
Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Emilee Hrtyanski was born and raised in West Virginia, and earned her Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree from West Virginia University School of Dentistry. She completed her pediatric dentistry residency at Texas A&M, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, and Children's Medical Center in Dallas, Texas.
She is board-certified with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She is also a member of the American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry.
Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Haley Willis is a board-certified pediatric dentist originally from Chase City, Virginia. She earned her dental degree from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry and completed her pediatric dental residency at Children’s Hospital of Michigan.
Dr. Haley is passionate about creating positive dental experiences for children and providing personalized, compassionate care for every patient. Outside the office, she enjoys spending time with her family, exploring local parks, and cheering on her favorite sports teams.
Pediatric Dentist
Meet Kids Favourite Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Jenny Citineni is a board certified pediatric dentist and originally from Hyderabad, India. She has spent most of her life in Durham attending Githens Middle, Riverside High, and NC School of Science and Math. She found her passion for dentistry after she graduated UNC-Chapel Hill. As an AmeriCorps Public Ally, she met a dentist who introduced her to the different aspects of the field, and she quickly found a passion for the art, results, and positive patients - especially the kids! Within 6 months of meeting the dentist, she was accepted into UNC School of Dentistry.
After earning her dental degree, she became the Dental Director of a Children's Health Department Dental Clinic in Lexington, NC. Dr. Jenny is a recognized, sought-after pediatric dentist. Her accomplishments and awards speak to her drive, ambition, and passion for delivering quality care:
She treats every child like a star, and makes each patient feel comfortable and excited about their dental health journey. She has two little stars of her own, Ava and Ella with her husband, Tommy Thekkekandam. Tommy and Dr. Jenny have a passion project of making delicious tasty treats that are sugar free for everyone to enjoy! They love to bake, eat, hike, swim and explore the world!
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Meet Kids Favourite Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Emilee Hrtyanski was born and raised in West Virginia, and earned her Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree from West Virginia University School of Dentistry. She completed her pediatric dentistry residency at Texas A&M, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, and Children's Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. She is board-certified with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She is also a member of the American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry.
In Dr. Emilee's free time, she loves traveling with her fiancé, spoiling her puppy, practicing yoga, and cheering on her beloved Mountaineers.
Meet Kids Favourite Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Haley Willis is a board-certified pediatric dentist from Chase City, VA, a small town in southern Virginia. She received her bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech and earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. She completed her pediatric dental residency in Detroit, Michigan at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan. She is a member of the American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, North Carolina Dental Society, and Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Haley and her husband, Anthony, have two daughters, Sophia and Georgia, and a baby boy on the way.
They are so excited to call North Carolina home and explore all this wonderful state has to offer. In their free time, they enjoy spending time with family and friends, attending gymnastics and dance recitals, exploring local parks and trails, and watching their favorite sports teams!
Dr. Haley is honored to treat the wonderful families of Durham and the surrounding areas. She truly enjoys her daily interactions with her patients and sees each day at the office as a new adventure.
She treasures each child as an individual with their own unique needs and cannot wait to meet y’all soon!
Smile First Dental combines pediatric dental care with an understanding of how children’s teeth, jaws, oral habits, and smiles change as they grow. Dr. Jenny Citineni is a board-certified pediatric dentist who evaluates each child individually rather than recommending the same orthodontic approach for every developing smile. Treatment planning considers tooth eruption, available space, bite development, oral hygiene, and your child’s ability to consistently wear removable aligners.
Because your child’s dental care and developing smile can be followed in the same pediatric-focused environment, our team can monitor both orthodontic progress and overall oral health. Families from Durham and surrounding communities can receive clear guidance about Invisalign First, clear aligners for teens, early orthodontic concerns, and when another treatment approach may be more appropriate.
Clear aligners are much less noticeable than traditional metal braces, which can appeal to pre-teens and teenagers who feel self-conscious about orthodontic treatment.
Children can remove their aligners before eating, so there are fewer food restrictions compared with traditional braces.
Because the aligners come out, children can brush and floss their teeth normally. Maintaining good oral hygiene is especially important during orthodontic treatment.
Clear aligners do not contain metal brackets or wires that can rub against the lips and cheeks. Some pressure is expected as teeth move, but the aligners have a smooth surface.
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Treatment begins with an evaluation of your child’s teeth, bite, oral development, and orthodontic concerns. Dr. Jenny will determine whether Invisalign is appropriate and discuss the goals of treatment with you.
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If your child is a candidate, digital records are used to plan how the teeth should gradually move. Their Invisalign aligners are then custom-made to fit their smile.
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Your child will wear each series of aligners according to the instructions provided by the dental team. The aligners should only be removed as directed for eating, drinking, brushing, flossing, and other appropriate activities.
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Regular appointments allow us to check tooth movement, evaluate the fit of the aligners, monitor oral health, and make sure treatment is progressing as expected.
My toddler had a great first visit! Everyone was very friendly and knowledgeable and made my daughters first ever dental visit a pleasant one! This will definitely be our dental home moving forward!
Herison
This is a wonderful group of people. Some of the same employees took care of my teeth as I was growing up and it’s great to have many of the same ones help clean and keep my daughters teeth in great shape! I love Smile First and trust them with my daughter’s smile!!
Sara h
Invisalign First is specifically designed for growing children during Phase 1 orthodontic treatment, commonly around ages 6 to 10. Older children and teenagers may also qualify for other Invisalign clear aligner treatment depending on their dental development.
It can be appropriate for some 7-year-olds, particularly when early orthodontic treatment is needed for crowding, spacing, narrow arches, or another developing problem. An evaluation is necessary because not every child needs treatment at this age.
Invisalign can treat many types of dental crowding, including certain cases in children. Whether it is appropriate depends on the amount of crowding, available space, tooth eruption, and your child’s stage of growth.
Children may notice pressure or mild tenderness when beginning a new set of aligners because the teeth are being gradually moved. This usually differs from the irritation that can occur from brackets or wires.
Neither treatment is universally better. Invisalign provides removable, discreet treatment, while braces remain attached to the teeth and may be better suited for certain orthodontic problems or children who may struggle with aligner wear.
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Smile First Dental provides Invisalign treatment for growing smiles at our pediatric dental office on Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard in Durham, NC. Families can receive orthodontic evaluations, Invisalign First treatment, clear aligners for older children and teens, and ongoing pediatric dental care in one child-focused environment.
We proudly care for families from Durham, Chapel Hill, Morrisville, Hillsborough, Roxboro, Bahama, Oxford, Raleigh, and surrounding North Carolina communities. If you are wondering whether Invisalign is appropriate for your child, schedule a consultation and let us evaluate their developing smile.
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