GreenTree Orthodontics
Services for Kids and Teens
What we do
GreenTree Orthodontics offers orthodontic care built around every stage of a growing smile: Phase 1 early treatment, Phase 2, Comprehensive treatment, traditional braces, palatal expanders, and Invisalign Teen. Before recommending any of them, Dr. Solomon uses 3D i-CAT imaging and iTero digital impressions to see exactly what's happening with your child's teeth, jaw, and airway.
Every child's timeline looks a little different. Dr. Solomon will walk you through where your child is right now and which treatment fits that stage best.
Phase 1
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends every child have their first orthodontic evaluation by age seven. That surprises a lot of parents, since most kids still have plenty of baby teeth at that point. But their first permanent molars and incisors have usually arrived, giving Dr. Solomon enough information to see how the jaw is growing, how the bite is developing, and whether there's room for the teeth still on the way.
Phase 1, also called early interceptive treatment, is orthodontic care for children roughly ages six to ten, while the jaw is still growing. The goal is to guide that growth while there's still time to influence it, creating space for incoming teeth and addressing issues like crossbites or narrow arches before they become bigger problems. Dr. Solomon also evaluates your child's airway as part of this assessment, since breathing and jaw development are closely connected.
Not every child needs Phase 1 treatment, and Dr. Solomon will tell you if your child is better off waiting and being monitored. But for kids who do need it, catching the right window early can mean a simpler path forward.
Phase 2 and Comprehensive
Phase 2 and Comprehensive orthodontic treatment, typically for kids around ages eleven to fifteen, once most of the permanent teeth have come in. This is the treatment most people picture when they think of braces or Invisalign: straightening teeth, correcting the bite, and giving your teen a smile that will carry them through high school and beyond. It's also a big part of your teen's day-to-day life, so comfort and confidence matter just as much as the end result.
Dr. Solomon offers both traditional braces and Invisalign Teen for Phase 2 and Comprehensive treatment, and she'll walk you through which option fits your teen's needs, habits, and lifestyle. Whether your child had Phase 1 treatment with us or this is their first orthodontic visit, Dr. Solomon builds the plan around where their teeth and jaw are right now, not a one-size-fits-all timeline. She'll also talk with your teen directly, so they understand and feel good about the plan too.
Most Phase 2 and Comprehensive treatments takes twelve to twenty-four months, and Dr. Solomon will give your family a realistic timeline from the very first visit. You'll always know what to expect and why.
Invisalign Teen works the same way as Invisalign for adults, with a few built-in features designed for a developing smile. It's discreet for school, removable for sports and instruments, and doesn't come with the food restrictions or emergency visits that traditional braces sometimes do. Every teen's case is different, Dr. Solomon evaluates growth patterns, bite development, and airway alongside cosmetic goals to confirm Invisalign Teen is the right fit before recommending it.
Invisalign Teen
Braces are one of the most effective tools Dr. Solomon uses during treatment.
At GreenTree Orthodontics, Dr. Solomon uses Pitts 21 self-ligating brackets, a modern design that's smaller and more comfortable than traditional braces and often means fewer adjustment visits. Whether your child is just starting Phase 1 or moving into comprehensive Phase 2 treatment, braces give Dr. Solomon precise control over how teeth and jaws move, which matters most for more complex cases.
Your child will come in for adjustments every six to ten weeks, and Dr. Solomon will let you know what to expect at each stage, from the day braces go on to the day they come off.
Braces
Evaluating your child's airway is part of how Dr. Solomon plans every treatment, and it matters most during childhood, while the jaw is still growing and there's more opportunity to guide how it develops.
Using 3D i-CAT imaging, Dr. Solomon can see the structures that traditional X-rays miss, including your child's airway, jaw position, and bite, so she can design a treatment plan around how everything works together. This is part of every Phase 1 assessment, and it stays part of the conversation as your child moves into Phase 2 and Comprehensive treatment.
If airway considerations are relevant to your child's case, Dr. Solomon will walk you through what she's seeing and how it factors into her recommendation. You'll always understand the why behind your child's plan.
Airway Treatment
Dr. Solomon may recommend a palatal expander, an appliance secured in place and adjusted with a key, turned a little each day at home. Dr. Solomon selects the specific type of expander for a controlled widening of the upper jaw to correct a narrow arch.
Palatal Expanders
Invisalign First is designed for younger smiles that are still taking shape. Using kid-friendly clear aligners, it guides emerging teeth and growing jaws in the right direction — often catching crowding, spacing, or bite issues while there's still room to work with. It's part of GreenTree's airway-focused approach, since early guidance can mean a simpler path later on. Removable and metal-free, it fits easily into an active kid's routine.
Invisalign First
The Invisalign Palatal Expander is a clear, custom-fit appliance that gently widens the upper jaw — no metal, no headgear. Some smiles need a little extra room before straightening can begin. The Invisalign Palatal Expander can be used to address narrow arches or crowding while your child's jaw is still developing. Dr. Solomon builds expansion into the full treatment plan, so it works hand-in-hand with what comes next, not as a separate step.
Invisalign
Palatal Expanders
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer free evaluations?
Yes! Your first visit with Dr. Solomon is a complimentary consultation — no cost, no obligation. She'll walk you through what she sees, answer your questions, and give you an honest recommendation.
When should my child have their first orthodontic evaluation?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first evaluation by age 7. Early evaluation doesn't always mean early treatment — often it simply means we watch and wait at the right pace for your child.
What is the difference between Invisalign and braces?
Braces use metal brackets bonded to the teeth and connected by wires, which Dr. Solomon adjusts periodically to move teeth. Invisalign uses a series of custom-designed clear plastic trays that you swap out every week. Invisalign is removable and nearly invisible. Dr. Solomon will recommend the best option for your specific situation during your free consultation.
Have a question we haven't answered yet?
Ask below, and we'll update our FAQ to help others too
Thanks for asking. We'll take a look and add it here if it helps others too.
Please try again, your question was empty.