Early & Phase I Orthodontic Treatment for Children in Willowbrook
Willowbrook Orthodontics offers free Phase I evaluations starting around age 7. This helps Dr. Yue catch bite and crowding problems early, while your child's jaw is still growing.
Early treatment
Child & Phase I Treatment
Early Orthodontics in Willowbrook, Countryside, Hinsdale & Burr Ridge, IL
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.
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.
What happens at my child’s first visit?
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.
When Earlier is Better
- 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.
- But there are certain bite problems that are much easier to treat if caught early on, when we can take advantage of a child’s natural growth processes.
- We can use orthodontic appliances like expanders to gradually widen the jaws, creating space for permanent teeth and guiding proper growth.
- Early treatment can often prevent the need for more complex procedures, such as oral surgery, later on.
Crowding
Did you know orthodontists can often predict future crowding before all the permanent teeth have even erupted? Using diagnostic tools like X-rays, intraoral scans, and a comprehensive orthodontic assessment, we can spot potential alignment issues early and plan the best course of action.
Here are five early signs of crowding:
- Permanent teeth coming in twisted, angled, or overlapping
- Teeth with little to no space between them
- Baby teeth are lost much earlier or later than expected
- Overlapping or crooked front teeth
- Bite shifting or jaw not closing evenly
Crossbites
A crossbite means the upper and lower teeth do not line up the way they should, either at the front of the mouth or along the sides. Left alone, it can push the jaw off center as your child grows and wear down the teeth taking the extra pressure. Early treatment, often a simple expander, guides the jaws into a better relationship while they are still developing.
Protruding Front Teeth
Upper front teeth that sit well ahead of the lower ones are more likely to be chipped or broken in a fall or during sports. Starting early can reduce how far they protrude and lower that risk, and it often makes the later phase of treatment shorter and simpler.
Early or Late Loss of Baby Teeth
Baby teeth hold space for the permanent teeth coming in behind them. When one is lost too early, neighboring teeth can drift into the gap, leaving too little room for the tooth meant to fill it. When a baby tooth hangs on too long, the permanent tooth may come in off course. Either pattern is worth a look, and a space maintainer is sometimes all that is needed.
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.
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.
Retraining Bad Habits
Certain oral habits, if left unaddressed, can affect the way a child’s teeth and jaws develop. These include:
- Thumb or finger sucking may cause an open bite, overbite, or changes in jaw shape.
- Mouth breathing can lead to narrow arches, facial growth changes, and dry mouth issues.
- Tongue thrusting pushes teeth out of alignment and affects speech.
- Prolonged pacifier use has similar effects to thumb sucking when used past toddler years.
- Nail biting or chewing on objects may cause tooth wear or chipping.
Dangers of Mouth Breathing
Mouth breathing in children is often a sign of an underlying issue, such as narrow dental arches, enlarged tonsils, or nasal obstruction. When a child breathes through their mouth consistently, it can affect facial muscle development and jaw growth over time. Early orthodontic evaluation helps identify whether the mouth breathing is related to a structural concern that treatment can address.
We can work with your child to correct these habits, and we can use a variety of appliances and techniques to help change them. Starting early is key, though – the longer the habits go on, the more damage they cause. That’s why it’s so critical to bring your child in for an initial exam when they turn 7.
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.
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
- Free Phase I evaluations starting around age 7
- Recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists
- Watches for crowding, crossbites, and habits like thumb-sucking
- Not every child needs early treatment; screening tells you which
- Often leads into Phase II during the teen years
