Pediatric Orthodontics in Evergreen Park – Chicago

At Healthy Teeth Beautiful Smile outside Chicago in Evergreen Park, we are proud to offer specialized pediatric orthodontic care designed to guide your child’s dental development and create a foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles. Pediatric orthodontics focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and treating alignment and bite issues in children, often starting at an early age.

Benefits of Pediatric Orthodontics

Investing in pediatric orthodontics provides many benefits, including:

• Early Detection of Issues: Identifies problems with tooth alignment, jaw growth, or bite before they become more severe.
• Improved Oral Health: Properly aligned teeth are easier to clean, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease.
• Enhanced Confidence: A straight smile can boost your child’s self-esteem and social interactions.
• Better Functionality: Correcting bite and alignment issues ensures proper chewing, speaking, and jaw function.

By addressing dental concerns early, pediatric orthodontics can reduce the need for more invasive treatments in the future.

Typical Orthodontic Treatments by Age

Pediatric orthodontic care is typically divided into phases based on your child’s age and dental development:

Ages 6–10: Phase 1 Orthodontics

Phase 1 orthodontics focuses on guiding jaw growth and addressing early alignment issues. Common treatments include:

• Space Maintainers: Preserve space for permanent teeth if a baby tooth is lost early.
• Palatal Expanders: Widen the upper jaw to create room for permanent teeth and correct bite issues.
• Partial Braces: Straighten select teeth to improve alignment early.

Phase 1 is most effective when jaw growth is still active, making it easier to correct underlying problems.

Learn more about Phase 1 Orthodontics HERE.

Ages 11–14: Phase 2 Orthodontics

Phase 2 addresses alignment and bite problems after most permanent teeth have erupted. Typical treatments include:

• Traditional Braces: Metal or ceramic braces to straighten teeth and correct bite issues.
• Clear Aligners: Discreet and removable aligners for older children and teens.
• Retainers: We offer retainers to  maintain proper alignment after active orthodontic treatment.

This phase focuses on creating a balanced smile and a functional bite that lasts a lifetime.

Learn more about Phase 2 Orthodontics HERE.

Ages 15 and Up: Retention and Maintenance

For older teens, the focus shifts to maintaining the results achieved during earlier treatments. Retainers are essential to prevent teeth from shifting out of place.

Does Your Child Need Orthodontic Treatment?

Signs your child may benefit from pediatric orthodontics include:

• Crooked, overcrowded, or gapped teeth.
• Difficulty chewing, biting, or speaking.
• Overbite, underbite, or crossbite.
• Premature loss of baby teeth or delayed eruption of permanent teeth.

An orthodontic evaluation by age 7 is recommended to identify potential problems and develop a personalized treatment plan.

Are You Looking for Exceptional Pediatric Dentistry Care?

Healthy Teeth Beautiful Smile offers a number of dental treatments that can keep your child's mouth healthy and smile beautiful. Contact us today!

Call us: 773-445-7777 Request an Appointment

Schedule your child’s orthodontic consultation today and discover how our expert care can make a difference!