Will Going to the Orthodontist Really Help My Child Stop Thumb Sucking?

We had an applaince for my daughter when she was 7-9. It helped reshape her upper jaw that she had been pulling out with her fingers.
We did not opt to claim this treatment on the insurance as we only recieve $1500 for the total orthodontic treatment for life. So we paid the $1000 out of pocket but the ortho was very good abotu giving us a payment plan that was very reasonable
My daughter's had a "key" that we inserted into the appliance and turned every night. THis was painful. But she is now 12 and already finished with full braces top and bottom and has permanent retainers.
She stopped sukign her thumb the day we put the retainer in her mouth.

Honestly, I could have written this question several years ago with my DD. She is now 14 and finished with her orthodontic treatment but we started where you were at right now....with the thumb issue. Our first visit to the orthodontist assured me that we were doing the right thing. They showed me pictures of her mouth and the roof of her mouth was actually in the shape of her thumb. I am not sure of the name of the device that they put into her mouth, but it sounds similar to one like another post described. He (the orthodontist) placed exactly where her thumb would go when she sucked on it....he called it her sweet spot as that is the spot that soothed her. We had a key that we used and would turn the device to widen the roof of her mouth, but we only had to turn it every 2-3 days (I think it was 3). I can't say exactly how much ours cost because they lumped it altogether with the rest of the treatments that we would be getting. How long they keep it in depends on the extent of the damage that they are having to repair. But I know that the results are immediate in the fact that my DD couldn't suck her thumb once the device was placed. I would check in with the orthodontist and see what they can do for you, I know from our experience that it was money well spent.

Interceptive orthodontic treatment is very successful in not only ending this habit, but also in correcting the misshapen upper jaw bone and flared out anterior teeth. Starting care at 9.5 years is a good idea since this is close to when comprehensive orthodontic care is indicated. Fees for orthodontics vary by region and by complexity of each case. Just contact your orthodontist where most consultations are free of charge and allow you to make an informed decision. Glad to be of health. Dr B

I'm not sure what a "thumb crib" is - but the device that each one of the moms who answered this question described is a "palate spreader" or "palate extender". I'm sure you already know that this device is used when the upper palate is narrower than, or doesn't line up with the lower jaw. It spreads the palate and allows room to then move the teeth around. It's like a plastic retainer that is cemented into the roof of the mouth.
I'm almost 49 years old, and when I was 9 - in third grade - I had one of these! That's how long they've been around. I don't think I wore it for very long - probably 2 or 3 months. We "cranked" it with the little key every morning and night, and by the time it was taken off, I could stick my little finger between my two front teeth (there was no space there before). Then they put on traditional "rail-road tracks" on both upper and lower teeth, that I only had to wear for 6 months! After that, I wore a retainer on top and bottom until all my permanent front teeth came in - and 40 years later, I still have VERY straight teeth.
I sucked my thumb, just like your daughter. My parents didn't try too hard to get me to stop, but boy, my grandmother did! I remember her trying everything. What a nightmare. But as soon as the palate spreader was installed, I stopped. It obviously didn't feel the same, and I just couldn't do it anymore. No trauma - not like what my grandmother did!
I don't have any idea of the cost - I know my parents paid a whopping $600 for the whole process back then (!) and I was somewhat of an experimental case - most docs waited until the kids were teenagers with most of their permanent teeth, but I didn't have to wear them for 4 or more years like they did. Less than a year, and i was done.