Orthodontics question

[Kellydelly]

My oldest two children (10,12) are in phase 1 of their orthodontic treatment. At this point they have both had palate expanders in since early December (turned for 6 wks). They both had what the ortho termed "complimentary" braces put on their top front four teeth a couple months ago. I am wondering if it is normal to not see the ortho for 8 wks between wire adjustments? This particular office does not impress me for many reasons, mainly because at the beginning of the year one of their orthodontists left another of their offices (they are a dental chain) and that meant our orthodontist had another practice to cover. So now we can only get appts every other Wednesday, or Friday. (used to be open Wed-Fri and every other Saturday). I am wondering if my girls didn't get an appt for 8 wks because they didn't have any, or if it is just standard to go that long between appts. My husband took them to their last appt and set the next one, so I wasn't there to ask questions. I am thinking their next appt will involve removing the expanders, and possibly the brackets too, since the ones in place now were just "complimentary" to straighen their top teeth for cosmetic reasons until the rest of their adult teeth come in. The last time my girls were there the expanders were removed and the front wires trimmed (they were growing into the girls's gums) and then put back in. Is that something that happend to anyone else's kids (the wires growing into the gums)? I am definately not going to this same orthodontist for phase 2 .

 

[Wall-E1]

My son had appointments every six weeks when he was in braces.

 

[mjkacmom]

I think it depends. Dd15 just finished, but dd14 and dd9 are regulars, and it can be anywhere from 4 - 8 weeks, depending on what they're doing. Dd9's expander is removable, so no problems with wires. Dd15 had hers for a couple of years, but I think that was because her baby teeth were so slow to fall out.

However, if you are not comfortable, seek other consults. Ours is just a one phase orthodontist - dd15 saw him for about 5 years total. My other 2 kids are just waiting on baby teeth - they see him every 6 months, and have xrays on file (I don't pay anything for them).

 

[mom2aandj]

my DD had an expander and then the 4 brackets on her top 4 middle teeth. She was seen every 4 weeks. However, even in that short of a time, at one point her wire came out and grew into her cheek, so stuff like that can happen even when you're being seen more often. But if you don't like or feel comfortable with this practice, I'd definitely change.

 

[Wishing on a star]

It sounds like you are not happy with this office/chain....
So, if you want to consider other options, then I would do so.
Not just because of this particular break between appointments.... Which you were not there to ask about.

About the wires... any orthordontic devices that use wires can result in the wires coming out enough to poke the inner cheek/mouth. This can be a natural and expected occurance as the teeth shift.

Also, there was a recent thread about the fact that if the orthodontist or assistant is not careful to make sure that they clip that wire as close as possible, this can result in the same problem.... Have your kids be in the habit of checking those wires before leaving the office.

A wire poking and cutting into ones skin should not be acceptable at any time... You should be able to stop in and have these wires checked and clipped at any time.. Instantly, gratis, no quesitions asked... This should not take an appointment or cause any issues.

Also learn how to use the dental-wax for things like this.
It is a total life-saver!!!!

 

[daileyad]

I find it odd that they would remove the pallet expanders if they have only been in since December. Both my kids kept theirs at least a year as the orthodontist said that removing them sooner would erase all the work the expander did

 

[scrapquitler]

My oldest two children (10,12) are in phase 1 of their orthodontic treatment. At this point they have both had palate expanders in since early December (turned for 6 wks). They both had what the ortho termed "complimentary" braces put on their top front four teeth a couple months ago. I am wondering if it is normal to not see the ortho for 8 wks between wire adjustments? This particular office does not impress me for many reasons, mainly because at the beginning of the year one of their orthodontists left another of their offices (they are a dental chain) and that meant our orthodontist had another practice to cover. So now we can only get appts every other Wednesday, or Friday. (used to be open Wed-Fri and every other Saturday). I am wondering if my girls didn't get an appt for 8 wks because they didn't have any, or if it is just standard to go that long between appts. My husband took them to their last appt and set the next one, so I wasn't there to ask questions. I am thinking their next appt will involve removing the expanders, and possibly the brackets too, since the ones in place now were just "complimentary" to straighen their top teeth for cosmetic reasons until the rest of their adult teeth come in. The last time my girls were there the expanders were removed and the front wires trimmed (they were growing into the girls's gums) and then put back in. Is that something that happend to anyone else's kids (the wires growing into the gums)? I am definately not going to this same orthodontist for phase 2 .

My DD went about every 8 weeks for adjustments when she wore her braces. She never had a palate expander, so I don't know if those work differently.

Those office hours don't seem terribly convenient. Office hours at our Ortho are Mon-Thurs only, 7-4 they close for an hour for lunch. Friday-Sat-Sun the office is closed.

 

[momto2inKC]

My daughter goes to the ortho every 6 weeks

 

[aprilgail2]

So now we can only get appts every other Wednesday, or Friday. (used to be open Wed-Fri and every other Saturday). I am wondering if my girls didn't get an appt for 8 wks because they didn't have any, or if it is just standard to go that long between appts. My husband took them to their last appt and set the next one, so I wasn't there to ask questions. I am thinking their next appt will involve removing the expanders, and possibly the brackets too, since the ones in place now were just "complimentary" to straighen their top teeth for cosmetic reasons until the rest of their adult teeth come in. The last time my girls were there the expanders were removed and the front wires trimmed (they were growing into the girls's gums) and then put back in. Is that something that happend to anyone else's kids (the wires growing into the gums)? I am definately not going to this same orthodontist for phase 2 .

My daughter had her braces put on at 9 and they are coming off on Monday-she is 12 and there is no way in heck we could have done it with office hours like you are describing!! I would find a new ortho wuick- not just one that stops into a dental office and does it one or two days a week on the side! My daughter went every 4-6 weeks depending on what stage she was at. But her office is open Mon-Fri and every other Saturday. On Mon, Tues, Thurs they are open until 7pm and the other days only unil 5pm. Sure we might pay more than if we went to a "visiting orthodontist" type practice but it was WELL worth it!

 

[Kellydelly]

It sounds like you are not happy with this office/chain....
So, if you want to consider other options, then I would do so.
Not just because of this particular break between appointments.... Which you were not there to ask about.

About the wires... any orthordontic devices that use wires can result in the wires coming out enough to poke the inner cheek/mouth. This can be a natural and expected occurance as the teeth shift.

Also, there was a recent thread about the fact that if the orthodontist or assistant is not careful to make sure that they clip that wire as close as possible, this can result in the same problem.... Have your kids be in the habit of checking those wires before leaving the office.

A wire poking and cutting into ones skin should not be acceptable at any time... You should be able to stop in and have these wires checked and clipped at any time.. Instantly, gratis, no quesitions asked... This should not take an appointment or cause any issues.

Also learn how to use the dental-wax for things like this.
It is a total life-saver!!!!

I know all about wax, this wasn't a wax fixable issue. The piece of wire (much thicker than the wire that goes around the brackets) of the expander that rested against/behind the front teeth started to grow into the gum. It wasn't painful, as far as I know, it just didn't look like something that was supposed to happen.

I have read online that expanders are usually in place for at least 4 months, my girls will have had them in for about 6 months if they come out the next appt. I am just assuming, not sure what Mr Wonderful has planned, he does not communicate well with parents (or maybe just me!).

 

[My2Qtz0205]

My son is 9, in Phase 1, which only lasts one year (well, actually, about 14 months when all is said and done) for him. He is seen every 6-8 weeks. I am an adult in braces, and I am seen every 6 weeks, sometimes every 8, depending on what they are hoping to accomplish between visits.