Gentle dentistry for little patients.
A child’s appointment at Aura goes beyond the teeth. We assess airways, facial development, and oral habits — and work with specialists when something needs more attention.
Watch Dr Lawrence
explain in two minutes.
Kids dentistry in Cranbourne North.
For children, the mouth is a window into how the face, jaw, and airway are developing. A standard dental check looks at teeth. We look at everything — because the habits and patterns established in childhood shape far more than just the smile.
What’s involved
Every child’s appointment includes the standard dental checks — decay, gum health, tooth wear. But airways are our primary focus.
We assess tonsil grade, Mallampati score, nasal breathing patterns, and facial structure at every visit. Mouth breathing, snoring, and disrupted sleep in children often trace back to an obstructed airway — and early identification matters. Where a deviated septum or nasal obstruction is suspected, we refer to the Richmond ENT group and other specialist partners. Where expansion is indicated, we have the capability to address it.
We also check for lip ties and tongue ties, and assess oral habits. Prolonged dummy use and thumb sucking can narrow the upper palate and establish tongue-thrusting patterns — habits that create bite problems and cause orthodontic results to relapse if not corrected. Where oral habits need professional support, we work with oral-facial myologists. Dr. Lawrence holds training in oral-facial myology.
Who it’s for
Children from their first tooth through to their teenage years. Children who breathe through their mouth, snore, grind their teeth, or have crowded developing arches. CDBS-eligible children — we bulk-bill all CDBS visits. Families wanting one clinic that handles everything from first visits through to early orthodontics.
What to expect at your visit
We work at the child’s pace. Nothing is rushed, and nothing is forced. Nitrous oxide (happy gas) is available for children who are anxious — Dr. Lawrence holds specific training in its use for children, and it wears off within minutes of the mask being removed. If we find something worth addressing, we’ll explain it clearly to the parent before anything is recommended.
Costs and payment plans
CDBS-eligible children receive up to $1,058 of treatment over two years — we bulk-bill every CDBS visit with no gap. Children outside the scheme are seen at standard rates, with health fund claims processed on the spot via HICAPS.
What patients usually ask before booking.
Within 6 months of the first tooth coming through, or by 12 months — whichever comes first. Early visits build familiarity with the chair, and they let us catch habits or development patterns while there’s still time to address them simply. Most parents leave it later than they should.
CDBS-eligible children receive up to $1,058 of basic dental treatment over a two-year period. We bulk-bill every CDBS visit — no gap, nothing out of pocket. Children outside the scheme are seen at standard rates. Not sure if your child qualifies? Log into MyGov under Medicare, or call us and we’ll check for you.
Nitrous oxide is available for anxious children. Dr. Lawrence holds specific training in its administration for paediatric patients — it’s safe, takes effect quickly, and wears off within minutes of the mask being removed. We introduce everything slowly and never proceed with a child who is not settled and comfortable.
Prolonged thumb sucking and dummy use can narrow the upper palate and create tongue-thrusting habits. Tongue thrust — where the tongue pushes forward against the front teeth during swallowing — causes anterior open bites and is one of the leading reasons orthodontic results relapse. We’ll tell you exactly what we observe and what, if anything, is worth addressing. Where oral habits need targeted support, we refer to and work alongside oral-facial myologists.
Yes. For children aged 6 to 11, we use Invisalign First and bio-block expanders as part of our Early Prevention Orthodontics protocol — creating a foundation for proper jaw development during the window when bone is still responsive. For older children and teenagers, we provide traditional braces and Invisalign. If a standard kids’ appointment reveals something worth assessing orthodontically, we’ll tell you directly at that visit.
It can be, and it’s worth assessing. Mouth breathing and snoring in children often indicate an airway obstruction — enlarged tonsils, a narrow upper palate, or nasal blockage. Left unaddressed, these patterns affect facial development, sleep quality, concentration, and behaviour. We assess the airway at every child’s appointment specifically because these signs are easy to overlook and the window for addressing them simply is limited to the growing years.
Tonsil grading (0 to 4+) assesses how much space enlarged tonsils are occupying in the throat. A Mallampati score assesses overall upper airway visibility — how open or obstructed the airway appears at rest. We use both as part of our standard airway assessment for children. Where tonsil size or airway patency is a concern, we discuss findings with parents and refer to the appropriate specialist where needed.
A deviated septum is a shift of the cartilage that divides the nasal passages, which can partially block one or both sides of the nose. In children, this contributes to mouth breathing and can affect how the upper jaw develops. In growing patients, palatal expansion can sometimes help by widening the nasal floor and improving airflow. Where a structural nasal issue is identified, we refer to the Richmond ENT group or other specialist partners for assessment.
A lip tie is a tight or thick band of tissue connecting the upper lip to the gum. A tongue tie is a similar restriction under the tongue. Both can affect feeding in infants, speech development in toddlers, and bite and airway development in older children. We check for both at every appointment. Where a restriction is identified and is affecting function, we discuss the options and refer where appropriate.
Oral-facial myology focuses on the muscles of the mouth, face, and throat — specifically how they function during breathing, swallowing, and speech. Tongue thrust, mouth breathing, and incorrect swallowing patterns create forces that affect how the jaw and palate develop over time. Dr. Lawrence holds training in oral-facial myology and works alongside specialist myologists when a child’s habits need targeted correction beyond what we can address in the chair.
A bio-block is a removable appliance used to widen the upper arch and encourage forward jaw development in growing children. It works with the child’s natural growth, which is why timing matters — the appliance is most effective between ages 6 and 11 when the palate is still responsive. It is one of the primary tools we use in our Early Prevention Orthodontics protocol, alongside Invisalign First, for children whose arches are too narrow or whose jaws are developing in the wrong direction.
Where we identify enlarged tonsils, suspected nasal obstruction, a deviated septum, or persistent mouth breathing that has a structural cause, we refer to our specialist partners — including the Richmond ENT group — for a full assessment. We work collaboratively, which means the findings from our airway assessment travel with the referral. We don’t refer and disappear. We stay involved in the broader picture of your child’s care.
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