My 8 year old daughter has two very large (top) front teeth and they are both crooked. Additionally it is obvious that her other teeth on each side are crooked and it appears there is not a lot of space for new teeth coming in, thus the reason they are probably crooked. The bottom is not as bad, but they are crooked too.
After seeing the dentist, he recommended I talk to an orthodontist - which I did and the orthodontist is recommending phase 1 (there are 3 phases of treatments and depending on the severity) - that she get spacers and in about 20 months 3 or 4 braces on top. Well I had no idea that orthodontia only pays a one time, lifetime benefit of 1,500 - so I need to come out of pocket with a lot of money. ...and this doesn't include the future braces and possibly head gear for the evening if the overbite isn't corrected (and future work if she needs more such as phase 2).
So my question, do any of you have experience with this and/or have you declined this type of work and seen the teeth correct themselves over time? I remember when I was little I had really crooked (and big) upper front teeth and they actually aligned themselves over the years. My teeth are now straight and I have never had orthodontia treatment.
Others keep telling me to get a second opinion, but I'm not sure from one orthodontist to the next that will make a difference and I'll continue to have to pay for dental visits (since most plans cover very little).
As always, you moms are so helpful and I appreciate your advice.
I was about 8-9 years old when I started with spacers. I have a small jaw and my teeth were coming in crooked because of the crowding. I don't remember exactly what happened, but I know I had some baby teeth pulled and spacers put in with the plan that it would allow adequate room for the permanent teeth. This was all done at that time because they could help the permanent teeth to come in straighter than they naturally would and this actually prevented me from needing braces. I had spacers for a couple years then a retainer for a couple years. Just my experience. I would always get a second opinion, especially for the expense they are talking about.
I think it is really hard to know what teeth will do...I started braces when I was about 9 years old. I have actually had braces 3 times....I just got them off for the 3rd time about 6 months ago (at almost 40!!). I did have a very complicated case...mine was missing teeth verses too many. The last time I got braces I had to get them because I was getting denatal implants and the roots of my teeth had moved over into the space where the implants had to go.
Anyways...I could go on and on about my dental care...and the lack of insurance benifits...but I think the bottom line is how does your daughter feel about it? For me it was always a huge self esteem issue. When I was 9 I too had large front teeth that had a huge space between them. I was very self conscience of it. The 1st time I had braces was mostly to correct that. I then got braces again in high school.
I am very thankful for my parents for putting me in braces when they did. After paying for the last set (no orthodontic coverage), along with 5 dental implants myself over the last year, I know it wasn't always easy for them to pay for it. I think they knew that it was something that I needed not only cosmetically, but for my self-esteem.
So I would talk to your daughter about it. You may be able to wait a year or two...but see how she feels. I know it isn't cheap....but may be worth it in the long run. Chances are she may need this dental work down the road..if you start now you will spead the cost over a longer time...
I think it always great to get a second opinion!!!!
My daughter (8) just had spacers on the lower teeth put on. She's already had 2 teeth pulled because her mouth is so crowded. Right now, they are just trying to avoid having to pull any further teeth... making room so teeth can come in.
We too went to the ortho about 7 months ago and also received a treatment plan of "early ortho treatment", meaning braces. I declined. I figured her mouth has a great deal of changing that still needs to occur and we already know she's going to need braces. I don't see the point of putting braces on her now, only to have to do it again in 2-3 years. I told another mom at our school my decision and she said "Good! Don't do it!" She has older kids and gave one of the the "early treatment" and all it did was cost her more $$. She said just the once was all that was really needed.
And I don't know what your ortho told you, but it was presented to me like "it would be nice" but it certainly wasn't something that they felt had to happen for the sake of her teeth. So, I declined and we'll see what happens.
Hi Sally.
If you are thinking that this is too much work needing to be done - you should get a second opinion.
When I was 8, I got braces on my top four front teeth. They had grown in accordion like. The braces were to straighten them out, I guess phase one. I got them off when I was 10 and then wore a retainer for a few years to help maintain the work of the braces until the next go round.
When I was 13, I had numerous teeth pulled and an eye tooth electrocuted to stop its growth. Then I had a full mouth of braces put on to adjust the spacing of my teeth and to pull down the eye tooth to where it was suppose to be.
Needless to say, I think that if my parents hadn't had all of the work done - I would have an ugly smile today. My teeth are straight and well spaced now.
So, I think, like I said before, that you should get a second opinion and you should also ask your daughter how she feels about her teeth now and if she wants to have all that work done.
I know that it's very expensive to have braces, and it all can be very overwhelming. But realistically, they aren't going to start anything for almost 2 years, so she will be around 10, which is a completely normal age for braces nowadays. Then it actually takes awhile to do fancy xrays, impressions, spacers, etc..
When my son son had his braces put on, it actually took almost 8 months to physically put them on. They have ways of trying to get teeth straightened that they didn't use when we were kids. After about 4 months of using a "retainer thing", my son's top teeth were almost perfectly straight! He just got his actual braces on a couple of months ago, and we started this process last April. I cannot believe the difference, and neither can he.
Having a consultation is important because you want to get a feeling for trusting the Dr. So, if you are unhappy with your first consult, then get another one to satisfy yourself.
In my opinion, your decision to put braces on your daughter should be based on whether you can afford it or not. Not whether you want to see if her teeth can straighten on their own. You are her hope of getting her teeth straight. We cannot rely on "mother nature"....
My little boy is only almost 2 so I can't comment on getting a child braces, but I can speak from the child's persepctive.
My view is that if she is going to need them, then get them asap. I didn't get my braces until I was 12 (almost 13) which meant that with 4 years of work to be done, I didn't get my braces off until I was nearly 17! It was horrible to be a girl in high school with braces. Most of my freinds had them when we were younger, but I slowly saw all of them get theirs removed (because they had started before me) and in the end I was the only metal mouth left. It was really hard.
If she needs them then start as soon as possible. She'll thank you for it.
I would get a 2nd opinion. I think a lot has to do with how her jaws are structured.
I had braces on my upper and lower front 4 teeth when I was 8yo after having baby teeth pulled. I had an under and cross bite, and simply too little space. I had my wisdom teeth pulled at 14, then had an upper expander (my top jaw was concaved) followed by full braces. Had a retainer after they were removed.
While my teeth are certainly much straighter than if no treatment was done, my teeth do not look like the years of braces ever happened. I refuse to show my teeth when smiling, they bother me so much. I feel like my parents wasted their money, tho they've never complained.
I would be quite interested as well. I too have an 8 year old that needs back teeth pushed so that his adult molars can come in (what is it with this age?) and I am not sure what to do. I will be watching your responses and if anyone else has a suggestion, I would be happy to hear it.
We live in Boulder Creek (Santa Cruz Mountains) BTW and if there is an orthodontist anyone can recommend, that too would be welcome.
My daughter starting seeing the orthodontist at 9 or 10 when her canines came in above the teeth on her upper gums. He waited to do anything til she was 11. She didn't have room in her mouth for teeth. Before he started she had to have 6-9 teeth pulled. I cant remember theexact amount. She had the different phases done with a cap on our insurance as well. I only had to pay about $500.00. She has gotten them off now at 14 and her teeth are great. She has just a retainer to where on the inside now no headgear. I would wait awhile.
I too, have three kids, and all three kids are in an ortho phase. All three of my kids started at 8 years old. My oldest son is now 13 and in his second phase. His teeth are BEAUTIFUL! He just got a full mouth of braces for one year and then he is done. My second son who is almost 11 just got his top braces off. His teeth are the most remarkable...they were all so crowded that they were sideways. Now the top are perfectly straight and beautiful! The bottoms haven't corrected as quickly so he will still have lower braces for now with an upper retainer. He will need a second phase also. My daugther just turned 8 and started the first phase with an expander for 3 months and then she'll get a few braces on the top. We have a fantastic orthodontist who came HIGHLY recommeneded to us and from all the people that I have talked to (I was skeptical also with them starting at such a young age), they all recommeneded it. It is frustrating that insurance only pays $1500 lifetime per child...that is eaten up immediately. But they do allow you to make payments which is what I am doing with my oldests second phase right now. Good luck with your decision!
My daughter needed early orthodontia work and also started at age 8. This was due to a jaw issue which caused her lower palate to be way too small. We also did three phases. She is now 17, and her teeth are absolutely perfect, and we did not have to have any teeth pulled except her wisdom teeth. We saw three orthodontists before deciding which one we wanted to see and the treatment plan we wanted to follow. Given the current economy, I should think that you could ask for a free (or reduced price) consultation.
I'm a Registered Dental Assistant and I used to work for an orthodontist. I can tell you that orthos don't recommend the early phase treatments just to make money.
As the child ages, it gets harder to move teeth and change the jaw or palate to accept the adult teeth.
Early phase treatment can save you time and yes, even money as the 2nd phase should be much shorter.
There are two fairly inexpensive supplemental insurance plans that may help you-- Ameriplan and Aflac. I know that for Aflac you have to be on it for 6 months but I believe it can save you up to $1,000.
Also, if you have another consultation with a different ortho, it might be cheaper because I am assuming you have had all of the x-rays and impressions done.
I agree on getting a second and maybe a third opinion, especially shopping for the best price for what they offer. I know most people that have written were around the same age when they started getting braces. Let me tell you a shortened version of my story.
My mom was told to take me to the ortho when I was three. We were told to come back in a year which we did. I had a very bad underbite at the time. I started with a retainer and chin cup/head gear. Around third or fourth grade, I got a full mouth of braces. Everything was going beautifully until fifth grade when by bottom jaw grew again and I basically had to start all over. If my mom hadn't taken me in when she did, it would have been likely that I would have needed surgery to correct it. It took until between sophmore and junior year of high school before I got the braces off (just before I turned 16). I am not saying I have the best teeth now (mine own fault), but I think my mom took it in the pocketbook so I didn't have to go through as much pain from surgery. My sister and brother (twice) also had to get braces, but not for as long as myself.
If the ortho thinks it is needed, he just might be right. The sooner you start, the sooner you will be done and your daughter will hopefully have a braces free high school experience.
I can't really address the need for braces for an 8 year old, though I know many orthodontists treat in phases. I can, however address the need for correcting crooked teeth and over/cross bites. My parents felt it was unimportant for a girl to have straight teeth, so even after our dentist and an orthodontist recommended braces for me as a teen, they chose to leave them as nature intended. My upper front teeth formed a pie shaped wedge, all were too crowded and I had cross & over bites as well. I was always conscious of my less than pretty smile, which affects self esteem, but more than that, as a result of the cross/over bites, I started having issues with my teeth at age 28. Two molars broke while eating french bread on two different occasions, several other teeth became traumatized requiring root canals. After spending over $20,000 for root canals and crowns over the course of two years, I had braces put on. I went to an orthodontist recommended by a co-worker. My oldest son and I treated at the same time with this doctor. My son's teeth corrected in 2 1/2 years and still look pretty good today (he's 35 now). This doctor finally took mine off after 5 years and told me it was as good as he could get them. I still had a pie wedge in my front teeth and was less than happy after spending $3000 with this guy. During the 3 months the braces were off, I damaged two more molars. Because my teeth were still misaligned, the chewing surface wore completely flat, requiring crowns over both teeth so I could properly chew. My dentist sent me to Dr. Gum in San Jose. He took a 3D set of full head x-rays and I began treatment again. As it turns out, my first orthodontist did not have the expertise to deal with my particular complicated case, which normally in the 1960's would have been corrected surgically. Doctor #1 gave me a 50% refund when I went back to him armed with new knowledge from my dentist and Dr. Gum. My second course of treatment was $3500 and took another 5 years. I went through this stage with my middle and youngest children. Their teeth still look great today, as do mine. My braces came off at age 40 and still look great today at age 57. I wear a retainer every night to protect the work that has been done. My point here is that 1) get a really good orthodontist. Check with your county's professional orthodontic counsil. Ask your dentist for a referral. Make sure the one you choose can handle your child's particular case. 2) Don't wait if professionals say to start corrective work now. My parents had spent a lot of money on both my brothers' teeth and somehow thought mine were not so bad (mine looked better than my brothers', but looks don't give the whole picture). In the end, had I had corrective work done as a teen, I would have saved about $40,000 in necessary dental work required to save my teeth. Also, it's less expensive to treat kids. Adult orthodontics is more difficult and can be a lot more expensive. I'm sorry this is so long, but wanted to give you something to think about. Get more than one opinion, but make sure the opinions you get a qualified opinions. All orthodontists are not created equal.
Good Luck!
I had a spacer on the roof of my mouth when I was 9 and it corrected the problem without having to have braces. I have a retainer to wear 3 nights a week now, I'm 26, but my teeth are still very straight and no braces ever! Yea!
I too was kind of like "does she really need the braces, why can't I just wait?" My daughter is 8 1/2 years old will be 9 in a couple of months and she also is going through the 3 phases. I do have to say she is in the 3rd phase (headgear) and her teeth are looking GREAT! The braces actually worked and fast! The total of the 3 phases was $4500 (insurance paid $1500). For us after seeing the difference in her teeth it was well worth the cost. I have 3 older boys (young men) and I did not do the braces with them and I do regret it (my 2nd son who is 18 years old just decided that he wants braces and said that he wished that he got them when he was younger). I hope this helps you. Good luck with her decision :) Yvette
Yikes! The cost is really something. Did either dentist tell you the downside of waiting a year or two?
My sister had all kinds of crooked teeth and they straightened out fine. My husband and I and our older son all had straight teeth - no problems. Our younger son, however, had quite the crooked mess and, like your daughter and my sister, has VERY BIG front teeth. We told the dentist that we wanted to wait and see what happened and in the year between his 8th & 9th birthdays his teeth straightened out a lot.
If postponing the orthodontia is an option that your family is comfortable with - I'd do it. If your dentist and orthodontist aren't able to accept your decision and can't give you good reasons to start now [and I don't mean threats about totally destroying her teeth, smile, self-confidence, dental health,] I'd shop for new oral health care professionals. And I'd take a lot of photos to celebrate her individuality.
In my daughters case it was different. She doesn't have room for all of her teeth. When she was 8 her dentist try to put a spacer in 3 times but it would stay. He referred her to an ortho. The ortho also tried once and then decided that we would wait and watch for longer. Both the dentist and the ortho said that her teeth seem to move alot and she still had a lot of teeth to lose. At 8 she had only lost 4. Now 2 years later she still has many teeth to lose, I think she has lost 7 now. We go see the ortho every 6 months (at no cost). She says she will need braces but in her case it is best to wait until most or all of her teeth have fallen out. The ortho said her mouth is younger than her 10.5 years. My oldest had very crooked teeth but the ortho waited until she was 12. She is doing very well with it. My advice is for a second opinion and just releaze that spacers don't work for everyone. Also every childs mouth is different.
Have you tried calling Western Dental? I here they also do orthodontia and they allow you to make payments. I had severe crooked teeth and had to wear braces for 4 years, I'm so grateful to my parents for paying for them as it really helped my self esteam.