Advice on DS's braces and dentists

[kendall]

OK, last night I had dreams about this, so don't laugh!

DS, age 13, is in need of braces within the next 6 months, both upper and lower. The situation - do we go with our family dentist who also does braces or do we use an orthodontist who specializes in braces?

Decisions of whether, when, and which teeth to extract because of crowding and a small mouth are the only issues of difference with regard to treatment - otherwise both professionals would approach DS's case the same way.

The family dentist knows DS and has seen him since he was a toddler and will continue to see him, obviously; the orthodontist is a specialist and this is "what he does"

We like the family dentist, trust the family dentist, but just don't know if we should be going to an orthodontist when it comes to braces...and would our family dentist feel "insulted" if we did go to an orthodontist? We value the relationship and had a positive experience with our family dentist when DD 8 needed a retainer for about 6 months...

 

[jana]

I would go to the orthodontist. He is better trained if anything unforseeable should occur. He will also be more up to date on things as that is his main intrest. Your dentist shouldn't be hurt by this. You'll still be going to him for your other needs and after you son is out of his braces.

 

[Michelle]

DEFINITELY go to the orthodontist. Your dentist should be able to give you referrals. Orthodontists receive very specialized training and I would definitely want my child to receive the benefit of that. In fact, mine DOES have a wonderful orthodontist in addition to a wonderful pediatric dentist. Her dental office also does braces but I didn't consider using them for even a moment, and they certainly understand and respect my decision to go to an ortho (in fact they also highly respect the ortho she goes to).

Good luck to your son!

 

[Snoozan]

Definitely use an orthodontist. Your general dentist will not be insulted if you go elsewhere. He'll still be seeing your son for his bi-annual cleanings.

 

[Cthia]

I would go to the orthodontist. You will be seeing your doctor for any tooth extractions, (I have a small mouth too. Had to have eight teeth taken out just to be able to straighten out my teeth.)You want to have someone who specializes in this, they have all the training and know what will be needed in your DS's situation.

 

[DisneyMim]

Yes go to an ortho. My dentist told us to go to one, never gave us the option of his doing it. I have one already done with braces and one still in them and I can tell you that a good orthodondist is well worth the effort to find. I asked around town and made sure to ask people who had already gone through the process. I was very lucky to find a wonderful orthodondist who really cares about all his patients. It is a long process so look around and get opinions, etc. You want someone who knows what they are doing and you and your child will feel comfortable with.

Good Luck and Welcome to the World of Braces!!!!

 

[kendall]

going to the ortho is what my gut feeling has been, but it helps hearing it from someone else - other rational voices of experience!

I truly hope I don't dream of this again tonight....I've never had such bizarre dreams as I did last night....

Thanks everyone!

 

[MerryPoppins]

I agree. Our dentist is a family friend, but we still took both kids to an ortho. She continues to see us for cleanings, etc and was not in the least hurt. In fact, she told us who she recommended.

 

[Wendy]

Definitely go to the orthodontist! I have a horror story from when I was a kid about having our family dentist do my braces. Long story short, after a year of nothing but problems, my parents finally took me to a real orthodontist and I ended up being in braces twice as long as I would have otherwise due to the botched job the family dentist attempted to do.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

Orthodontist, definately!! Braces are so important, and nice straight teeth are an absolute necessity nowadays. Go to the specialist so it is done right. Especially if you will be dealing with extractions - I recently got braces and had to have 8 teeth extracted, and you really need a specialist who knows exactly how to proceed and what needs to be done.

Don't feel guilty at all!!!!!!!