? for parents whose children have braces

[Mimi Q]

I took oldest DD to orthodontist yesterday for initial consultation. We made the decision to get braces, and it will be two months before they can see her again to do the x-rays, impressions, etc... Is that a pretty normal wait time? I had hoped to get them done before school starts. The cost is going to be approximately $3,600.

 

[Gwene65]

I remember when I first got braces...(wasn't long ago at all), I had to get xrays and then a cleaning from my regular dentist before they did any prep work on my mouth for braces.
Actually with all the prep work involved with my mouth I didn't get braces on until like 5 months later.
Does your DD have work that needs to be done before the actual braces get put on?

So what I'm trying to say is-I think that sounds normal.

 

[tiggersmom2]

Hi Mimi, it sounds like you picked a REALLY busy orthodontist! I had my initial consultation, x-rays, impressions, etc.. on the same day. I had my spacers placed the next week and the braces put on the week after. (yes, I am 28 with braces! )

 

[always quiet]

Yes, I remember waiting for what seemed like forever to keep things rolling. Initially, the dentist (after all the impressions and exrays) only put the brackets on the back teeth (the ones that band around the teeth like I had years ago). He had these put on in June. A month later, he had the bite plate to fix the overbite. He didn't have the rest of the mouth 'installed' til Oct. Be patient....it is worth it! My son when yesterday and had his impression made. He gets the top brackets off and the retainer on June 22! A month later, the bottom ones will come off!

 

[Christine]

I had 3 different consultations. Each of them were ready to set me up with an appointment within 2 weeks. When I decided to go with the one I went with, they got me in within 2 weeks even for an "after school" appointment. I do think 2 months is kind of a long time to wait, but a lot has to do with how many orthodontists you have in your area and how busy they are.

 

[crz4mm2]

I would never wait two months... But I am not good at waiting!!!I think it was a couple weeks after the initial consultation with xrays that we went back and they told us what would need to be done the cost etc. then it was the following week when we got started.... There is only one orthodontist in our town.
Best of luck. IT is soooo worth it. DD and I had braces at the same time!

 

[matjef9091]

We waited about 3 weeks and btw, you are getting off pretty good at 3600 we are in up to 4800! Be patient, it is a pain to keep the gum and junk away from them when all their "friends" with braces are able to eat it!

sherry

 

[Rock'n Robin]

That sounds long. DD#1 got in for spacers 2 weeks after we called to set it up (took me a while to figure out the financing) and then braces 1 week later. $4500! Now DD#2 needs a palate expander and a reverse headgear for $1200....probably braces later. Her journey starts next week.
Robin M.

 

[poohtown]

we took our daughter to three orthodontists for their opinions. Two wanted braces - one of the two wanted to pull a minimum of four teeth. The third was a young doctor who didn't believe that the majority of children really needed braces. He had us do a retainer styled brace. First he did impressions and made a top retainer that she actually had to use a key to tighten. She wore that for a couple weeks and it wasn't the most comfortable thing, but I remember braces were downright painfull sometimes. After that she didn't have to tighten it and slowly she was able to get rid of it all together. Then she had to wear a retainer at night for about a year. The whole thing lasted under 1 1/2 and cost us 1,000. Now it's funny because I've had more people (complete strangers) tell me she has the most beautiful smile they've ever seen. I don't know if that would work for your daughter, kind of got off track. The entire beginning (the appt., impressions, and first retainer) was done within the first month of meeting him and he was very busy as well.