Smiles at 7: Your Child's First Orthodontic Evaluation in Buffalo Grove, IL

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child receive their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. At Buffalo Grove Orthodontics, we wholeheartedly agree, and we make that first visit easy, pressure-free, and always at no charge.

Why Age 7?

Age 7 is a uniquely important window for orthodontic evaluation. By this age, most children have a mix of baby and permanent teeth, and their jaw is still actively growing. This combination gives Dr. Eltink the ability to identify developing issues like crowding, bite problems, or jaw growth patterns, while there is still time to guide development naturally if needed.

Waiting until all permanent teeth have erupted, typically around age 12, means some of those early intervention opportunities may no longer be available. A simple evaluation at age 7 keeps all options open.

What Happens at a Smiles at 7 Evaluation?

The visit is straightforward, comfortable, and takes very little time. Dr. Eltink will examine your child's teeth, bite, and jaw development and give you an honest assessment of where things stand. There is no pressure and no obligation.

Most children we see at age 7 walk away with a clean bill of health and a plan to simply monitor their growth over time. But for the smaller number of children who do show early signs of concern, catching it at this age can make a meaningful difference and sometimes significantly simplify treatment later on.

You will leave with a clear picture of where your child stands and what, if anything, comes next.

What If My Child Does Not Need Treatment Yet?

This is the most common outcome of a Smiles at 7 visit, and it is genuinely good news. If your child is not yet ready for treatment, or simply does not need it, Buffalo Grove Orthodontics offers Observation Monitoring at no charge. Using DentalMonitoring technology, we track your child's jaw growth, tooth eruption, oral hygiene, and development through monthly at-home scans reviewed personally by Dr. Eltink. When the time is right to begin orthodontic treatment, we will let you know right away.

This level of ongoing oversight is something most orthodontic practices cannot offer. At Buffalo Grove Orthodontics, we never recommend treatment until it is truly needed, and we make sure nothing is missed in the meantime.

Signs Your Child May Benefit From an Early Evaluation

While we recommend an evaluation for all children by age 7, there are some signs that make an earlier visit especially worthwhile:

• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• Difficulty chewing or biting
• Mouth breathing or snoring
• Crowded, misplaced, or blocked teeth
• Jaws that appear too large or too small for the face
• Teeth that do not come together properly
• Thumb sucking or prolonged pacifier use past age 4
• Speech concerns

If you have noticed any of these in your child, we recommend you do not wait. Schedule a free screening and let us take a look.

What Comes After a Smiles at 7 Evaluation?

Depending on what we find, there are three possible paths forward:

No concerns: Your child receives a clean bill of health. We may recommend a follow-up visit in six to twelve months as they continue to grow.

Observation Monitoring: Your child shows some developmental patterns worth watching but is not yet ready for treatment. We enroll them in our no-charge Observation Monitoring program and track their progress monthly using DentalMonitoring.

Phase 1 Treatment: A small number of children benefit from early orthodontic intervention, known as Phase 1 treatment, to address specific jaw or bite concerns while the bones are still growing. If this is the right path, we will explain exactly why, what it involves, and what to expect.

In every case, you will have a complete picture before leaving our office.