Okay, here is the situation - My 9 year old daughter has been referred by her dentist to an orthodontist and we went for our consultation. Well, they wanted to start pulling teeth and get stuff going, so I decided to check out another orthodontist. We had our first consultation with this doctor, and I really liked them because they are not russhing the pulling of her teeth. They have set up a follow up in 9 months to see if her baby teeth have come out on their own. I talked to my daughters dentist, and she said she would go with either othodontist. She said they are both great. Well, now my mother in law has asked that we check into this dentist that does braces because it is cheaper. My husband seems to be going towards the dentist also, but I think a specialist would be better to go through. This is a permnament thing with my daughters teeth, and I want to do what is best for her in the long run. Honestly, I did not know that a family dentist could do braces. I was always under the impression that you had to through an orthodontist. I have not talked to her dentist about this yet, but I guess I will ask her opinion as well. I'm planning on paying for this on my own, but I know my mother in law will insist on paying some of it. Does this mean I have to go with the one she wants? So, Family Dentist or Othodontist? Please Help!!!!
Thank you all very much for your responses. I am going to just go with the ortho that I have already decided I like. They seem to be wanting to wait until it is absolutely nessisary to put braces on. She does have some issues with her permanent teeth that have not come in yet. On the x-ray it shows the two canine teeth coming in at an angle towards her two front permanent teeth. They are trying to catch it before they damage her two front teeth. She also has a overbight and her front four teeth on top stick out quite alot. They said they will treat it as though she was a thumb sucker even though she is not. She has pushed her front teeth out by pushing her tongue up against them. When she does this her tongue sticks through all the spaces between her teeth, and of course it is a fun silly face to make. We are now trying to break this habit so they do not get worse.
An orthodontist is a specialist, just like a pediatrician or dermatologist. They have had extra training and certification. Some general dentists can do ortho but they usually refer out if it is a more difficult case. As a registered dental hygienist, my opinion is that you should see an orthodontist.
When I was a kid, I had large spaces between my teeth and my teeth were pretty crooked. I never had braces, my teeth grew together just fine, and I now have really straight teeth. You may just want to wait a few years before you get her braces...who knows, maybe her teeth will grow together like mine did! :)
I completely agree with sandy j. As a fellow hygienist, I agree that an orthodontist is the way to go. Dentists get a crash coarse on orthro in dental school and don't do enough cases in my opinion. Most people only think of the esthetics of a smile when in fact there is a lot more to think about. Lining the bite up is of the upmost importance. Making sure there is enough space to properly move he teeth takes time and expertise. Go with a reputable orthodontist. You won't regret it! As for whether to do it at age 9, Sometimes it is more beneficial to create the space by pulling teeth and moving them in phases. But kids have a hard enough time cleaning their teeth without braces on. Be prepared to help if you don't want her to have a lot of cavities and white decalcifications on her teeth. Good luck!
My recommendation is to use an orthodontist. I say this because we had been using a family dentist who offered ortho treatment and in return, really messed up my sons mouth. My son was only 4 when they put a pallet expander in indicating it would only take 6-8 months and 3 years later, we hadn't seen much improvement and the device he was wearing, the part that came to the front, was embedding in his gum and they kept trying to tell us this was ok. SO, although I had been frustrated after 2 years, I kept going for that last year until the device was embedding in his gums and I knew in my heart that this was not normal or right. We went to an ortho for a consultation and they agreed that the device immediately needed to come out. We are extremely happy with our new ortho, they removed the device, let his mouth heal and some of the last baby teeth come out, and now we are on Phase I of getting my child mouth's straightened out.
My recommendation....... use an ortho as they are specialized and trained in this area.
Good Morning and Happy Mother's Day! Here is my 2 cents on this topic which I deal with daily. I am a dental hygienist and I see all sides of this. Pulling teeth at an early age usually causes trauma with the child as well as it can cause a longer treatment time because you are waiting for the permanent teeth to erupt. This usually causes more decay or decalcification with the teeth. ( usually because the childs homecare is not the best). I feel some orthodontists rush kids into treatment and then I am usually fighting with the problems associated with it.
As far as general dentists doing ortho, well they can go through continuing education classes to be certified. They do not get the education that orthodontists get! That is why they cannot market themselves as orthodontists, the have to say general dentist that offers orthodontics. In my experience, I have seen some generals that do good ortho (if it is simple, or if it is invisalign) however I have seen generals that really have messed people up! When it comes time for my daughter to get ortho, I can tell you that I will wait until her baby teeth are out ( at least til her permanent canine teeth are erupted to see where her bite is) and I will bring her to an orthodontist!
I understand that the general is cheaper, but you do pay for the education and expertise of an orthodontist. Good luck with your decision, I hope this was helpful!
Your money or not, I'd definitely go to the orthodontist. This is not a time to be thinking about saving money.
Am I understanding this correctly, she is having braces put on baby teeth? Is that a normal procedure these days? I had them when I was young (a few decades ago, hehe) and the orthodontist insisted on waiting until all my baby teeth had fallen out. But he certainly didn't pull any out!
What is the big hurry anyway? Why not wait and see how her mouth and bite develop once all her permanent teeth are in? In the meantime, put the money into an interest bearing account of some kind to have it when you need it. And as far as your MIL goes, you're better off paying for it yourself so you can make all the decisions without her thinking she has the right to give you her input.
Good luck!
Wait! I'd wait!
The United States is by far the most obsessive country on the planet when it comes to teeth. Its absurd.
Unless she is having major problems with her jaw and adult teeth, I see NO POINT in putting a kid through stuff like that just for the sake of straighter teeth.
When she's older she may want braces for cosmetic reasons.. and I think thats a family's decision... I mean when she is old enough and wants straighter teeth and is willing to consider braces and what not - maybe you should go for it. But to me it seems like almost everyone in this country has their kids in orthodontic gizmos and gadgets from a very early age. (I'm from Ireland)
If it were me I would definitely wait. She still has baby teeth for goodness' sake!
We used our dentist for our daughter, but only because he is also a PhD and a specialist in TMD, and her problem is related to her grinding, so he was the one to do her alignemtent to try and eliviate that issue. I would be careful about who you used, and I would never have used our regular dentist had he not been a specialist in her issue already.
M.
Hi there,
Just for you to know, my kid's dentist suggested me to take my son to an orthodontist because he has gaps between teeth. I did it, and the orthodontist didn't recommend the use of braces yet (he just turned 10) .He said my kid is still too young for this kind of treatment and he expects him to see him again in one more year.
Nine years old seems awfully young to me to be pulling her teeth out, unless it is causing problems due to the adult teeth pushing things out of place. I was very slow in losing my own teeth, but never had any pulled. I don't think my last tooth fell out until I was at least 13 or 14. I got braces at 15.
When I was growing up, everyone I knew who had braces at age 8-9 had to get them again in high school. It is just too young.
I really think it's too soon for such drastic measures if the baby teeth are not causing her any problems.
I second, third, fourth, fifth the suggestion to wait. Braces on a 9 year old seems a little young. Your dentist is going to tell you she thinks both are great: dentists, doctors, teachers, etc. are little "societies" they are usually not going to be caught bad-mouthing others in their field. Check to see if the family dentist has certification to do ortho procedures. If so, if you get a good "vibe" from the regular dentist and staff go that route.
Your mother in law is diagnosing without a license. chuckle. Her dentist hasn't seen the teeth and may agree that the orthodontist is doing the right thing. Or he may have another way to treat her. If your mother in law is willing to pay for a third opinion take her up on it. But if you're comfortable with your present decision and don't want to spend money on a third opinion don't take her to the dentist.
When I was growing up dentists did everything including braces. But I don't think I've heard of anyone having braces for baby teeth. Then again I'm not sure what your daughter's situation is.
If it were me I'd talk with my dentist, as you say you'll do. Your dentist will know if braces are ever an option in cases such as your daughters. That may help you decide whether or not to get a third opinion. It's my thought that your mother likes her dentist and doesn't know anything about what he'd do in the case of your daughter. Does she even understand what the problem is?
If you think it's appropriate to go to your mother's dentist for relationship reasons then you could have the orthodontist that you've chosen or your dentist to call your mil dentist first. The dentist may agree that braces are not appropriate. Your mil would be happy and your daughter wouldn't have to go.
Even if your mother in law were paying for all of the treatment you do not have to go with what she wants! Your daughter's health is your responsibility and not your mother's. My daughter frequently reminds me of that and she's right. I can make suggestions but the decision is hers.
If your mother in law volunteers to pay some of it but will only do it if you do what she wants I'd graciously decline her offer. You are responsible for her treatment. You would feel badly if the outcome was poor but you'll feel really bad if the outcome was poor and you allowed your mother in law to make the decision.
Orthodontist - Your mother in law is not going to live with the ugly teeth if they come out wrong. Do what your dentist recommend and don't traumatize your daughter by going to 3 different people.
I seen for myself and through others, it doesnt matter between dentist or Orthodontist. If your child needs extrememe treatment i say Ortho but if its simple alignment then dentist. Its only cheap cause of the equipment they use and no you cannot go from one to another easily, if you have to change dentists or orthos you can end up right back at start.
I have no evidence for you at all, but I will tell you that I would 100% go with the specialist. I love my son's pediatrician and I know part of the reason he survived his first year was him, but I never even considered letting him put his tubes in (even though this one could). He doesn't do it regularly, it's not a focus, so if a "special" situation arises it could be handled less than ideally or they could send you on anyway. I just feel like, if that's all they do, then they'll know the best way to do it. Also, remember the phrase you get what you pay for (these are your daughters teeth for the rest of her life). It's great that your MIL wants to help you pay for it, but if she doesn't want to go your way and that effects her willingness to support it, then thank you but no thanks. You really need to do what you feel is best not what makes her happiest. Good luck!!
I have 30+ years in the dental industry. DO NOT go to a general dentist for braces. You should use an orthodontist!!! You get what you pay for.
Good luck.
With one son we used the family dentist for braces. We took him to an ortho for a consult and the family dentist recomended the same course of treatment so we used him. For our younger son the family dentist told us to go to an ortho as the treatment he needed was beyond the dentist. I have been very happy with the outcome of both.
No you DON'T have to go with the one she wants. YOU are paying for this, she is YOUR child, you go with the one YOU feel comfortable with.
We used Dr. Jack Okerstrom for all 3 of our children's Braces, my twins were premature and had small mouths. They had to have 2 sets of braces, starting in the 3rd grade using a pallet separator, then a permanent retainer until all baby teeth were gone and then the second set of braces. The whole purpose was to keep from pulling teeth, He was not sure that my son would be able to go without having teeth pulled, but it worked out and none of my children had to have teeth pulled. I was really happy with his service and could not imagine having a dentist do their orthodontics. One family dentist that we saw for a while did not know what some of the appliances our orthodontist used, he actually asked me what they were and I later found out that he also did braces. I just don't think a general dentist can keep up to date with all specialties. I would go with the orthodontist
