Retainer Vs. Braces?

I think they are used for different things. Something that looks like a retainers can widen the palate (palate spreaders) but they do not have the same ability to move teeth like braces. I had all of them: palate spreaders and then true braces that moved some of my teeth as much as10mm (the space of a whole molar). I also wore head gear to move the rear molars back to make more space on my jaw for my teeth. After braces were done I got retainers to "retain" the teeth in the same position. If you do not wear retainers teeth can move out of alignment again. Now there are those invisalign braces that look clear, but those are also expensive.

I think you are so right! The dentist we had in our hometown believed in preventative orthodontics. He pulled four of my 9-yr-old's teeth and today she has beautiful teeth. We moved away and had to go to an orthodontist for our younger child. She had the same issues--too many teeth for the size of her mouth. But the ortho recommended braces. Later we had to have the teeth extracted ANYWAY! She has pretty teeth today but we went through lots of money and 2 yrs of braces to get there. Most medical/dental professionals aren't looking out for the parents' expenses, but merely for their own income!

I am 30 years old and just got my braces off 6 months ago. I personally had jaw issues so braces was my only route. With that said, most insurance policies do not cover adult orthodontics so I shopped around a lot to price compare and personality compare since I knew I would be paying out of pocket for this expense. No matter where I went, I always felt the most comfort with Dr Nathan Cotten at Monarch Dental in Carrollton. Most people give Monarch a bad wrap but he gave me great chairside manner and the staff did too. After getting to know them over 2 years they are like my friends.
Also over the two years I have took my kids in for two free consults, on per year. Each time he is open and honest with me that he does not recommend braces at all but to come back in a year because it is free to check. His words were that my kids are borderline and some orthodontist will put them in braces and at their ages 11 & 12, I will only be putting them back into braces in a few years so he would rather wait. I appreciated his honesty. I also keep taking my kids back for the free consults because I dont want them to incur the expense that I did when it is a childhood problem that I can do something about.

Good Luck to you...

I think if your children have jaw alignment issues, you may have to go the braces route. For just a crooked tooth or two, retainers should be fine. I had slightly crooked teeth and an overbite, so I wore braces for two years. To this day, a new hygienist or dental office worker will tell me how perfect my jaw alignment is, so my parents' money was well spent. :)

Try the retainers first, UNLESS it's an issue with the jaw alignment. Then I'd do braces.

I would discuss with an orthodontist and get more than 1 opinion. There are lots of different appliances out there. When I was a kid I had a major big-time overbite and had to wear a couple different appliances before I could even get to where I would have braces. Then after braces came the retainer, whose job is to keep the teeth from moving back to where they were. Talk with a few different orthodontic specialists and have them examine the kids - the extra cost could be well worth it.

I would talk to the orthodontist too, it really depends on what is wrong with their teeth I would think. My brother had almost straight teeth and needed braces. Mine were more crooked, but I just needed a retainer for a year or two that was cemented in and widen my mouth so that all my teeth had room. If your dentist thinks the retainer is okay, then maybe try that first, but be ready for the braces if needed.

My son went the full braces route - he had jaw issues and very crooked teeth that couldn't be fixed without the full braces thing. My daughter was a candidate for invisalign. In less than a year, she was done. She wears a retainer at night.
LBC

Who is your dentist?

I would . What can you loose, years down the road if it is not working then you can try braces. Adults have braces...they can even wait til then.

My sis is a hygentist and she says a lot of new age things these days are to prepare the teeth in a certain way and then do braces later if needed. That may mean a dozen of things. Expanders, retainers, or even some teeth pulling and kind of prepare the mouth and then do braces. IDK, does not hurt to try something less expensive and see how it works.