Early & Phase I Orthodontic Treatment for Children in Willowbrook

Willowbrook Orthodontics checks kids for early orthodontic problems starting around age 7. We serve families in Willowbrook, Countryside, Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, and nearby suburbs, and the first visit is free.

What Is Phase I Treatment?

Phase I, or early interceptive treatment, is limited orthodontic care done while a child still has baby teeth. Its goal is specific: correct one problem that is better addressed now than later, such as creating space for crowded teeth or correcting a crossbite. Most children do not need it.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have a first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. At that age, most children have a mix of baby and permanent teeth and their jaws are still growing, which gives Dr. Yue the clearest early view of a developing smile. Most young children need only monitoring, not treatment. When early care helps, it can make later treatment simpler. At Willowbrook Orthodontics, your child’s first evaluation is complimentary.

How Does Early Treatment Work?

Dr. Yue reviews your child’s history, examines the teeth, jaws, and bite, and tells you honestly whether anything needs attention. If treatment is not needed, we set a plan to monitor growth at no pressure. Our team keeps the visit relaxed and reassuring.

Some bite problems are much easier to treat early, when we can take advantage of a child’s natural growth processes:

Timing – Treatment for most orthodontic problems starts after the baby teeth have fallen out and most permanent teeth are in place, typically around age 9–14. Certain bite problems are easier to treat if caught early.
Expanders – Appliances like expanders gradually widen the jaws, creating space for permanent teeth and guiding proper growth.
Avoiding surgery – Early treatment can often prevent the need for more complex procedures, such as oral surgery, later on.

Is Early Treatment Right for Your Child?

Dr. Yue looks for three things at an early exam.

Signs of crowding – Permanent teeth coming in twisted, angled, or overlapping; little to no space between teeth; baby teeth lost much earlier or later than expected; overlapping or crooked front teeth; a bite that shifts or a jaw that doesn’t close evenly.
Oral habits – Thumb or finger sucking, mouth breathing, tongue thrusting, prolonged pacifier use, and nail biting or chewing on objects can all affect how teeth and jaws develop. The longer a habit goes on, the more it can affect growth.
Mouth breathing – Often a sign of an underlying issue, such as narrow dental arches, enlarged tonsils, or nasal obstruction, and it can affect jaw growth over time. An early exam helps tell whether treatment can help.

Early treatment questions

For kids around age 7

At what age should my child see an orthodontist?

By age 7, per the American Association of Orthodontists. Most 7-year-olds will not need treatment yet, but an early exam lets Dr. Yue catch bite and jaw concerns while they are easiest to guide. The visit is a screening, not a commitment to braces.

Will my child need early treatment?

Often not. Many children are fine waiting until their permanent teeth come in. When Dr. Yue does recommend Phase I, it is because early care reduces the length or complexity of later treatment. If your child does not need it, he will tell you plainly and monitor growth over time.

What does an early orthodontic exam look for?

Dr. Yue checks for crowding, crossbites, protruding front teeth, early or late loss of baby teeth, and habits like thumb sucking that affect jaw shape. Catching these early keeps more treatment options open. With deep experience in orthodontics, including work with craniofacial patients, Dr. Yue reads early growth carefully and knows what to watch for.

Is the first evaluation really free?

Yes. Consultations at Willowbrook Orthodontics are complimentary, so you can find out where your child stands at no cost. Call (630) 323-7906 to schedule.

How much does Phase I treatment cost?

Many kids don't need Phase I at all, so the first step is a free exam. If Dr. Yue does recommend early treatment, you'll get an exact price at that visit, along with payment plans and insurance, FSA, and HSA options.

Watching and waiting compared with Phase I treatment
	Watch and wait	Phase I treatment
Who it's for	Most kids at their first visit	Kids with early crowding, crossbites, or habits affecting growth
What happens	Regular check-ups while teeth come in	An appliance (such as an expander) guides growth
Goal	Catch changes at the right time	Make later treatment simpler and avoid surgery

Wondering what happens after Phase I? Many children who finish early treatment need a second phase during the teen years to complete the job. Read more on our Phase II Treatment page, or visit Getting Started to see what a first visit looks like.

Quick Facts

First orthodontic check-up recommended by age 7 (American Association of Orthodontists)
Most children don't need early treatment
Early care can guide jaw growth and correct habits like thumb-sucking and mouth breathing
First evaluation is free
Serves Willowbrook, Countryside, Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, and nearby suburbs