Braces for Kids: A Parent’s Step-by-Step Timeline From Age 7 to Retainers
Braces for Kids: A Parent’s Step-by-Step Timeline From Age 7 to Retainers
Parents often ask us: “When should my child get braces?” or “How does the whole process work from start to finish?”
At Othman Orthodontics, serving families in Lombard and Orland Park, IL, we look at orthodontics as a journey, not just a single moment when braces go on. For many kids, that journey starts around age 7 and ends years later when they’re wearing retainers to maintain their beautiful new smile.
This guide walks you through a typical braces for kids timeline:
- Age 7: First orthodontic evaluation
- Childhood: Monitoring growth vs. early (Phase I) treatment
- Teen years: Comprehensive (Phase II) braces or Invisalign
- After treatment: Retainers and life after braces
Age 7: The First Orthodontic Check-Up
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children have an orthodontic evaluation by age 7.
At this age, most kids have:
- A mix of baby and permanent teeth.
- Enough permanent teeth in place to see how the bite is developing.
- Active jaw growth that we can guide if needed.
At your child’s first visit to our Lombard or Orland Park office, we typically:
- Review medical and dental history.
- Take photos and X-rays as needed.
- Examine teeth, bite and jaw growth.
- Check for habits like thumb or finger sucking.
After the evaluation, we’ll tell you one of three things:
- No treatment needed—your child’s teeth and bite are developing normally.
- Not yet—no braces now, but we’ll monitor growth every 6–12 months.
- Early intervention (Phase I) would be beneficial.
Phase I: Early (Interceptive) Orthodontic Treatment
Interceptive (Phase I) treatment is early orthodontic care performed while your child still has baby teeth. It is not for every child.
We might recommend Phase I treatment if your child has:
- A crossbite (upper teeth biting inside lower teeth).
- Severe crowding that may cause teeth to be blocked or impacted.
- A large overjet (“buck teeth”) at risk of injury.
- An underbite caused by jaw growth issues.
- Habits that affect bite, such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting.
Common Phase I Appliances
- Palatal expanders to widen the upper jaw.
- Partial braces to align front teeth or correct certain bite issues.
- Space maintainers to keep room for permanent teeth.
- Habit appliances to help stop thumb or finger sucking.
Phase I treatment usually lasts about 6–18 months. Afterwards, your child goes into a “resting phase” where we monitor growth and eruption but don’t actively move teeth.
Monitoring Years: Ages 8–12
Whether or not your child had Phase I treatment, ages 8–12 are often “monitoring years.” During this time, we:
- Track the eruption of permanent teeth.
- Watch jaw growth and bite development.
- Decide the best timing for comprehensive (Phase II) braces or Invisalign.
We might see your child every 6–12 months during this period—no braces yet, just easy, short monitoring visits.
Phase II: Comprehensive Braces or Invisalign (Teen Years)
Phase II treatment is what most people think of as “getting braces.” This typically starts when:
- Most or all permanent teeth have erupted.
- We can see the full picture of your child’s teeth and bite.
For many kids and teens in Lombard and Orland Park, this happens between ages 11 and 15, though it varies.
Orthodontic Options for Kids & Teens
- Metal braces – classic and effective, with colored elastics.
- Ceramic (clear) braces – more discreet for image-conscious teens.
- Invisalign Teen – clear aligners designed specifically for teenagers.
We’ll recommend the best options based on:
- Your child’s orthodontic needs (crowding, spacing, bite issues).
- Their personality and responsibility level.
- Your family’s goals and preferences.
How Long Does Phase II Treatment Last?
Comprehensive treatment usually takes:
- 12–24 months for many teens.
- Sometimes longer for more complex bite or jaw issues.
We’ll give you a custom estimate at your consultation and update you as treatment progresses.
Daily Life With Braces for Kids
Eating
With braces, kids should avoid:
- Very sticky candies (caramels, taffy, etc.).
- Hard foods that can break brackets (ice, hard nuts, uncut apples).
- Chewing on pens, pencils or fingernails.
With Invisalign Teen, aligners are removed for eating, so food restrictions are minimal— but aligners must be worn consistently the rest of the day.
Sports & Activities
Most kids can continue all their usual activities with braces or Invisalign. For contact sports, we recommend:
- Wearing an orthodontic mouthguard with braces.
- Removing aligners for contact sports and using a standard mouthguard for Invisalign.
Oral Hygiene
Good brushing and flossing are key. We teach kids how to:
- Brush around brackets and wires.
- Use floss threaders or water flossers.
- Keep aligners clean if they’re using Invisalign Teen.
Braces Off! Moving Into Retainers
When braces come off or Invisalign is finished, it’s an exciting day—but the orthodontic journey isn’t quite over. The next stage is retention.
At this point, your child will receive orthodontic retainers to keep teeth in their new positions.
Types of Retainers
- Clear retainers: Removable, clear trays worn over the teeth.
- Hawley retainers: Acrylic and wire retainers.
- Fixed (bonded) retainers: Thin wire glued behind front teeth.
We’ll recommend the best combination for your child’s case.
How Long Do Kids Need to Wear Retainers?
Teeth naturally want to shift over time, so retainer wear is crucial. Typically:
- Full-time wear initially, except while eating or brushing.
- Transition to nighttime-only wear after a period of stability.
- Long-term nighttime wear to maintain the result.
We’ll provide a personalized retainer schedule and follow-up visits to monitor stability.
Braces for Kids in Lombard & Orland Park, IL
Lombard Office
Our Lombard office provides orthodontics for children and orthodontics for teens to families in Lombard, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Wheaton, Villa Park, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Hinsdale, Westmont, Lisle, Naperville, including:
Orland Park Office
Our Orland Park office offers the same kid-friendly options for families in Orland Park, Tinley Park, Palos Heights, Palos Park, Homer Glen, Oak Forest, Mokena, Frankfort, New Lenox, Lockport.
Ready to Start Your Child’s Braces Journey?
The best first step is a simple, low-pressure visit.
Schedule an orthodontic consultation in Lombard, IL or an orthodontic consultation in Orland Park, IL with Othman Orthodontics.
We’ll evaluate your child’s teeth and bite, explain where they are on the braces timeline—from age 7 check-up to future retainers— and create a personalized plan that supports a healthy, confident smile now and as they grow.